Battle of Fort McHenry

September 13–14, 1814 · Chesapeake Theater

Phases

1. 1Phase 1 — Bombardment BeginsSeptember 13, 1814 — 6:00 AM
2. 2Phase 2 — Night AttackSeptember 13–14, 1814 — Midnight
3. 3Phase 3 — Flag Still ThereSeptember 14, 1814 — Dawn

September 13, 1814 — 6:00 AM

A British fleet of 19 warships anchors in the outer harbor, just beyond the effective range of Fort McHenry's guns. Beginning at dawn, the fleet opens a sustained bombardment with Congreve rockets and 200-pound mortar shells. The fort's garrison of 1,000 men under Major Armistead can only endure the fire — their guns cannot reach the fleet at that distance.

• ●British fleet — 19 warships anchored out of range of fort's guns
• ➤Rockets and mortar shells arc toward Fort McHenry
• ●Fort McHenry — star-shaped fort, garrison of 1,000 men under Armistead
• ●Francis Scott Key — watches bombardment from British truce ship