It’s probably safe to say that most Americans are familiar with the origins of The Star Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key composed the poem as he watched the British bomb Fort McHenry and its ships docked in the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. Key’s poem became the national anthem of our country, and with the American win in the Baltimore port, Baltimore’s battle became infamous through his words.
Although the official ending of the War of 1812 was on February 18, 1915, it is still notable to acknowledge the role of another Baltimore name in the war. Did you know that Nathaniel Towson, a man who shares our university’s name, fought in the war?
Major-General Nathanial Towson gained notoriety by commanding the First Brigade artillery at the Battle of Chippewa. This battle, which took place on June 5, 1814 in present day Ontario, was one of the first occasions in which the American army defeated a much more large and substantial British army during the war.
General Nathaniel Towson
The Americans decided to use Napoleon Bonaparte’s abdication to their advantage, striking the British forces before back-up could be sent from Europe now that the battle with the French Emperor had ceased. After taking over Fort Erie from British forces, General Jacob Brown commanded the rest of his American troops to continue on to capture Fort George.
However, the British General Phineas Riall anticipated their approach, attacking the American forces before they were able to get too close. The battle between the two armies began, with the American forces starting a volley of shots between themselves and the British, leading the British to believe that the men they were facing were not trained militia. Meanwhile, Nathan Towson was ordered to use his artillery unit to take out the British battery. Towson and his artillery were able to do so, in part contributing to the British retreat and American win.
So be proud to live in Towson; we share a name with a pretty cool guy!