Park Archives: Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

In 1812, the United States of America was less than 30 years old, and only one generation had been raised to adulthood under the American flag. Many people still personally remembered the daring and exhausting right to win independence from Britain, pitting 13 allied colonies against the largest military force in the world.

The conflict had launched a new nation, but in 1812 much was still taking shape. Americans were wary of a strong central government and grappled with questions about trade, slavery, and expansion. Washington City was a fledgling capital. National defense was hotly debated and poorly funded. Then, war came again.

Britain, at war with France, set policies that interfered with American trade. In need of men for their huge navy, the British boarded American vessels and seized men said to be British deserters. In the process. they forced thousands of American sailors into service. Along the Great Lakes and Northern Frontier, they united with American Indians to obstruct American expansion into disputed territory.The tension between Britain and America, still smoldering from the revolution, grew into flames. Some Americans wanted to strike back. Others cautioned against the human and financial costs of war. Britain had over 500 warships; America had 17. The nation was deeply and bitterly divided.

On June 18, 1812, Congress finally declared war, but Americans continued to argue over the course of the nation. In Baltimore, a pro-war mob destroyed the offices of an anti-war newspaper, igniting riots that left dead and wounded in their wake.

Over the next two years, British and American conflicts erupted from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. By the time the fighting ended, the war had propelled America into greater maturity as a nation. Having been tested against a world superpower, the states were now more truly "united." Americans felt a stronger sense of collective identity and greater commitment to a robust, national military. And, by defending rights at sea and expansionist goals at home, America confirmed its entry on the international stage.

The war also inspired two lasting symbols of pride—the Star-Spangled Banner that flew in defiance of British attack and the national anthem that honors it.

The bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired new lyrics to a popular tune. The tune was then re-named "The Star-Spangled Banner." It became the United States of America's national anthem in 1931.

The British occupied the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812 to disrupt trade, bring war to the center of the country, and draw troops from the north. After declaring a blockade on the Bay in 1812, they established a base on Tangier Island and raided waterfront towns at will, burning homes, warehouses, ships, and farms. Towns in Southern Maryland and along the upper Bay were among the targets. In Virginia, the British sacked towns and raided plantations along the James, Rappahannock, and other rivers.

People lived in fear. When attacked, they faced a difficult choice: flee, cooperate, or stage civilian resistance to a far superior force. In Havre de Grace, the defense soon dwindled to one man, John O'Neill, who continued to fight until captured. In Georgetown. Kitty Knight confronted the British admiral herself and successfully spared both her home and that of her neighbor.

Enslaved people made bold decisions, too. The British promised freedom to those who fled slavery and joined British forces. At least 700 men, women, and children escaped. Most were taken to Tangier Island, where some of the men trained to fight their former masters.

In 1814, when more than 4,000 British troops came ashore at Benedict in Southern Maryland, Americans were still guessing at the enemy's plans. A British squadron was also sailing up the Potomac River toward the port of Alexandria, while another was sailing up the Chesapeake. Washington was an obvious target, but so were Annapolis and Baltimore.

Americans soon realized that the troops in Southern Maryland were marching straight to Washington. On August 24, thousands of militiamen and soldiers confronted the British at Bladensburg, a few miles east of the capital. But the Americans were inexperienced and poorly led. The effort quickly failed.

By evening, Washington was in flames. The British burned many government buildings, including the Capitol and the White House. President James Madison and his wife Dolley, along with hundreds of frightened citizens, fled the city. The Declaration of Independence and other important documents were rushed to safety in the surrounding countryside.

A few weeks after withdrawing from Washington, the British set their sights on Baltimore. But Baltimore had long been preparing for a fight, and the Americans would be ready.

The British attacked by land and by water. Landing at North Point on September 12, 1814, they met their first resistance when American sharpshooters killed British Major General Robert Ross, and a bloody battle followed. The next day, the British marched toward Baltimore, but met an overwhelming number of men and artillery. They considered a nighttime attack, but awaited the outcome at Fort McHenry.

Fort McHenry guarded the city and its harbor. Its commander, Major George Armistead, had prepared his men for the trying task of endurance: British ships in the Patapsco River were largely beyond the range of the fort's guns. Through a day and night of stormy weather, the British pounded the fort with rockets, bombs, and mortars.

The British expected quick surrender, but it didn't come. In the morning, they gave up the fight. Americans raised a large flag over the fort. The British fleet withdrew, and their troops abandoned North Point.

Coupled with an American victory on Lake Champlain, the end of the war was in sight. The United States and Britain agreed upon the Treaty of Ghent in December. However, they did not ratify the treaty until shortly after the Battle of New Orleans, officially ending the war on February 17. 1815.

Discover the War of 1812 on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail—a path tracing troop movements through historic places, inspiring landscapes, charming waterfront towns, and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region.

The trail offers many ways to experience the drama of the war and the stories of its people. Follow the march on Washington with a driving tour of Southern Maryland, or paddle the wetlands where the U.S. Flotilla was scuttled. Imagine British attacks from the waterfront of Havre de Grace or St. Michaels. Hoist the flag at Fort McHenry, and visit the original Star-Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History.

Combine your history quest with outdoor fun for the whole family. Take time to picnic, explore trails, or cast a fishing line. Stop at a farmers market or browse for antiques. You can also try your hand at geocaching, a treasure hunt using GPS technology, on the Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail.

Make your journey by car or by boat, on bike or on foot. However you travel, the trail is a great way to discover the War of 1812 and a host of outdoor adventures along the way.

Dig in: Discover places in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia where history happened, using the official guide to sites along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. In Full Glory Reflected: Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake—an award-winning book by Ralph Eshelman and Burton Kummerow—features more than 150 sites to visit, plus a lively, illustrated narrative about the war and its legacy.

Go on-line: Visit the trail's website (www.starspangledtrail.net) for a calendar of events, trail information, travel itineraries, and more. Many sites offer special programs and re-enactments. Follow links to sites in Maryland, along Virginia's War of 1812 Heritage Trail, and throughout the District of Columbia.

Grab your phone: Download the free Chesapeake Explorer app (www.chesapeakeexplorerapp.com) on your smart phone to find tours, recreational activities, and trip information for national parks and trails of the Chesapeake.

Drop by: Visitor contact stations can also identify local events and attractions.

About the Trail
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office through partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private organizations from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The contents of brochures, site bulletins and trading cards (denoted with a colored caption) can be viewed by clicking on the cover. Most modern-day brochures, however, are cover only (denoted by a white caption) due to photograph copyrights. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. The dates under each brochure do not reflect the complete range of years that a particular brochure was issued.

cover only Date Unknown		Date Unknown	2012
cover only c2016

cover only Date Unknown	Traveling the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail 2019