The War of 1812 found the number of our regular forces totally inadequate to deal with the British Army and their Indian allies. As such, the militia (National Guard) was again called into federal service where more than 489,000 state militia responded. The most famous militia commander during this war, also a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, whose backwoods militia troops, to the surprise of England, defeated British regulars at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
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CW2 Mark J. Denger and LTC Roger D. McGrath
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War of 1812
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Battle of North Point
North Point, Maryland -- September 12, 1814
On the morning of September 12, 1814, a British force of 9,000 men landed at North Point, Maryland, with the intention of marching inland and capturing Baltimore. Brig. Gen. John Stricker, commander of the 3d Brigade of the Maryland militia, was ordered to delay the British advance so that the defense entrenchments around the city could be completed. The 5th regiment was assigned the task of holding the American right flank. Despite two hours of artillery and rocket fire, the 5th Maryland stood their ground. After inflicting some 300 casualties, the 5th was order to fall back to a new position in front of the Baltimore trenches. The British army, exhausted by the fighting and surprised by the stubborn defense of the Maryland militia, withdrew, while the British navy failed to silence the guns of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Thwarted on land and sea the British force sailed away. The successful defense of Baltimore, after the humiliating capture of Washington, shored up the confidence of the American people and directly contributed to the ending of the War of 1812. Moreover, an American militia regiment had withstood two hours of difficult fighting against British veterans of the Napoleonic wars. Today's 1st and 2d Battalions, 175th Infantry, Maryland Army National Guard, carry on the gallant traditions of the 5th Maryland.
Painting by Don Troiani, National Guard Heritage Series
