Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Allegiance by Force
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
1. Allegiance by Force Marker
"… if there should be an uprising in Baltimore, I shall be compelled to try to put it down; and that gun is the first that I shall fire."
Major General John Dix, U.S. Army, 1861
At the beginning of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln directed the U.S. Army to prevent Maryland from joining the Southern Confederacy "even if necessary" he ordered, "to the bombardment of the cities." As a result, the Army quickly mounted heavy seacoast mortars, and two large 10-inch Columbiad cannons at Fort McHenry.
In July 1861, a delegation of women visited the fort to complain about the federal occupation of Baltimore. On this spot General Dix showed the ladies that he had aimed one of the fort's largest cannons at the center of the city. Dix made it clear he would not hesitate to fire if he felt it necessary to hold Baltimore. Capable of firing exploding shells, the guns of Fort McHenry threatened the city with "bursting bombs" similar to those the fort had preserved the city from in 1814.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812 • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1861.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Another Day on Duty… 1814 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Star Spangled Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort McHenry (within shouting distance of this marker); Preservation of Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); Evolution of Fort McHenry (within shouting distance of this marker); In Full Glory Reflected (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproofs (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
2. Allegiance by Force Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
3. Statue of Orpheus & Grain Elevator
The view from the northeast bastion and the Allegiance by Force marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
