Maryland was as an important front during the War of 1812, and many citizens took up arms to defend their homes. Farmers, lawyers, physicians, and tradesmen, all took part in the defense of Maryland. Some elected officials yielded their positions to enlist with militia units or the regular army, while others retained their public offices, choosing to serve the needs of citizens and soldiers through budgeting, and policy.
Marylanders served the nation as well as their State. From privateers to major generals of the U.S. Army, many Marylanders left their homes to aid their country. They served on all fronts, supported the nation, and defended their homes.
MARYLANDERS DURING THE WAR
- Stevenson Archer (1786-1848)
U.S. Representative, 1811-17, 1819-21
Paymaster, 40th Maryland Militia
Chief Judge, Judicial Circuit for Baltimore City & Baltimore & Harford counties, 1823-44
Chief Judge, Court of Appeals, 1844-48
- George Armistead (1780-1818)
Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army
Commanding Officer, Fort McHenry, 1813-18
- Charles Ball (1781-unknown)
Escaped slave
Served as cook, Chesapeake Flotilla
- Joshua Barney (1759-1818)
Commodore, U.S. Navy
Commanded flottila defending Chesapeake Bay
- William Beanes (1749-1828)
Physician captured by British while arresting English stragglers
Release from custody postponed until completion of assault on Fort McHenry
- Thomas Boyle (1776-1825)
- Stephen Decatur (1779-1820)
- Jesse Elliott (1782-1845)
- Charles Goldsborough (1765-1834)
U.S. Representative, 1805-17
Governor of Maryland, 1818-19
- Robert H. Goldsborough (1779-1836)
U.S. Senator, 1813-19, 1835-36
Cavalry officer, Maryland Militia
- Alexander Contee Hanson (1786-1819)
U.S. Representative, 1813-16
U.S. Senator, 1816-19
- Edward Johnson (1767-1829)
Member, Baltimore City Council, 1797-1803
Mayor of Baltimore, 1808-16, 1819-24
- Joseph Kent (1779-1837)
Surgeon, Maryland Militia, 1809
U.S. Representative, 1811-15, 1819-26
Governor of Maryland, 1826-29
U.S. Senator, 1833-37
- Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)
- Peter Little (1775-1830)
U.S. Representative, 1811-13, 1816-29
Colonel, 38th Maryland Infantry, 1813-15
- Alexander McKim (1748-1832)
U.S. Representative, 1809-15
- Nicholas Ruxton Moore (1756-1816)
U.S. Representative, 1803-11, 1813-15
Lt. Colonel, 6th Regiment Cavalry District of Maryland
- John O'Neill (1769-1838)
Lieutenant, Maryland Militia
Commanded defense of Havre de Grace, May,1813
- Mary Pickersgill (1776-1857)
- Philip Reed (1760-1829)
U.S. Senator, 1806-13
Lt. Colonel, 21st Regiment, Maryland Militia
Commanding officer, Battle of Caulk’s Field, Aug., 1814
U.S. Representative, 1817-19, 1822-23
- Samuel Ringgold (1770-1829)
U.S. Representative, 1810-15, 1817-21
Brig. General, Maryland Militia
- George Roberts (unknown-1861)
Impressed sailor, later served abord Chasseur
- John Rodgers (1772-1838)
- James Sewall
Major, Maryland Militia
Commanding officer, Fort Defiance, Elkton, 1813
- John Stuart Skinner (1788-1851)
U.S. Agent for Prisoner Exchange with England
Accompanied Francis Scott Key to arrange release of Dr. William Beanes
- Samuel Smith (1752-1839)
U.S. Representative, 1793-1803, 1816-22
U.S. Senator, 1803-15, 1822-33
Maj. General, commanded defense of Baltimore, Sept., 1814
- John Stricker (1758-1825)
Collector, Port of Baltimore, 1801-10
Brig. General, Maryland Militia
Commanding officer at Battle of North Point, Sept., 1814
- Philip Stuart (1760-1830)
U.S. Representative, 1811-19
Served in Maryland Militia
- Nathaniel Towson (1784-1854)
- James Wilkinson (1757-1825)
Maj. General, U.S. Army
Led Montreal campaign, Canada, 1813
- James Winchester (1752-1826)
Brig. General, U.S. Army
Commanding officer at Battle of Frenchtown, present-day Michigan
- Levin Winder (1757-1819)
Governor of Maryland, 1812-16
- William Henry Winder (1775-1824)
- Robert Wright (1752-1826)
U.S. Senator, 1801-06
Governor of Maryland, 1806-09
U.S. Representative, 1810-17, 1821-23
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