Oldtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Young Martyrs
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
1. Young Martyrs Marker
Daniel Wells, 19 and Henry McComas, 18, made history September 12, 1814, when they allegedly killed British commander Major General Robert Ross. The two sharpshooters fired simultaneously. Both were quickly shot dead by British soldiers.
Considered heroes, Wells and McComas were buried together and exhumed twice before finally being laid to rest here with great fanfare in 1858. A funeral song and dramatic play commemorated the reburial.
Who Really Killed Ross?
A monument to Aquila Randall stands near the place where Ross fell prior to the Battle of North Point. Some accounts claim 24-year-old Randall fired the shot that killed the British general.
“And in the glorious list of the patriots, whose blood has consecrated that starry flag, unborn ages of freeman shall read with pride, the names of the Boy Martyrs of Baltimore.”
Closing lines of the Boy Martyrs, Clifton W. Tayleure, 1858.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. 39° 17.868′ N, 76° 36.102′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Oldtown. Marker is at the intersection of Monument Street and Asquith Street on Monument Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 645 Aisquith St, Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dr. Charles W. Simmons (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Dunbar High School (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Joe Gans and the Goldfield Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1781 Friends Meeting House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The General’s Highway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Broadway School (approx. 0.4 miles away); McKim Free School (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
2. Wells and McComas Monument
Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
3. Panel 1-Daniel Wells
Born Dec 30th, 1784. Killed Sept. 12th 1814, at the Battle of North Point aged 19 years 8 months and 13 days.
Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
4. Panel 2-Henry G. McComas
Born Sept. 20th, 1796. Killed Sept. 12th 1814, at the Battle of North Point aged 18 years 11 months and 22 days.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 919 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on July 31, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
