The strategic location of the Chesapeake
Bay near America’s capitol made it a prime target for the British.
Starting in March 1813 a squadron under Rear Admiral George Cockburn Started a blockade and raided towns along the bay from Norfolk to Havre de Grace. On July 4, 1813, Joshua Barney, a revolutionary war naval hero, persuaded the Navy Department to build the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla, a squadron of twenty barges to defend the Chesapeake Bay. Launched in April 1814, the squadron was quickly cornered in the Patuxent River; while successful in harassing the Royal Navy, they were powerless to stop the British campaign that ultimately led to the burning of Washington. (www.boundless.com)
Starting in March 1813 a squadron under Rear Admiral George Cockburn Started a blockade and raided towns along the bay from Norfolk to Havre de Grace. On July 4, 1813, Joshua Barney, a revolutionary war naval hero, persuaded the Navy Department to build the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla, a squadron of twenty barges to defend the Chesapeake Bay. Launched in April 1814, the squadron was quickly cornered in the Patuxent River; while successful in harassing the Royal Navy, they were powerless to stop the British campaign that ultimately led to the burning of Washington. (www.boundless.com)
Americans living along the Chesapeake Bay Paid a steep price for the War of 1812. the British navy was continuously harassed by privateers, many in small boats by residents of the community's along the Bay. the British were determined to punish what they called "pirates" and to terrorize and demoralize Americans in this important region. Beginning in the in the spring of 1812, the British navy launched raids on coastal towns and farms, destroying crops, stealing livestock, and encouraging the enslaved to flee. (www.boundless.com)
The commander of the British attacks was British Rear Admiral George Cockburn who was called a "beast" and a "savage" in return Cockburn showed little regard for American life or property. He threatened to capture Presid4nt Madison's wife Dolly Madison and parade her through the streets of London. (NPS handbook p.88)
In April 1814 Cockburn received the following order: "You are at perfect Liberty as soon as you can muster a sufficient force to act with the utmost hostility against the shores of the United States... their seaports laid in ashes and country wasted will be ... retaliation for their savage conduct in Canada where they have destroyed our towns... it is therefore just that retaliation shall to the seat of their government from whence those orders emanated". Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane. (Vogel p. 33)
On August 24-25 1814, the British landed a force in Bladensburg, marched on Washington DC, burned the White House and other buildings, and captured Alexandria. Admiral Cockburn then turned his sights on Baltimore
This was a time for fear and low morale among Americans.
The commander of the British attacks was British Rear Admiral George Cockburn who was called a "beast" and a "savage" in return Cockburn showed little regard for American life or property. He threatened to capture Presid4nt Madison's wife Dolly Madison and parade her through the streets of London. (NPS handbook p.88)
In April 1814 Cockburn received the following order: "You are at perfect Liberty as soon as you can muster a sufficient force to act with the utmost hostility against the shores of the United States... their seaports laid in ashes and country wasted will be ... retaliation for their savage conduct in Canada where they have destroyed our towns... it is therefore just that retaliation shall to the seat of their government from whence those orders emanated". Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane. (Vogel p. 33)
On August 24-25 1814, the British landed a force in Bladensburg, marched on Washington DC, burned the White House and other buildings, and captured Alexandria. Admiral Cockburn then turned his sights on Baltimore
This was a time for fear and low morale among Americans.
.
(Brodie et al, P.17)