Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Army "Sailors," Navy "Soldiers"
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
1. Army "Sailors," Navy "Soldiers" Marker
-Major George Armistead, Commander Fort McHenry September 1814
The defenders who manned the heavy cannons in front of you represented a unique combination of soldiers and sailors. One unit, the U.S. Sea Fencibles, included civilian sailors. Wearing the clothing of their trade, they were issued muskets, drilled as soldiers and considered part of the U.S. Army.
The United States Chesapeake Flotilla served as part of the U.S. Navy. Most of these men were sailors and included free African-Americans. During the summer of 1814 they fought several engagements in the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately on land where they staged a rear-guard action in an unsuccessful defense of the nation's capital.
Those who served here contributed to the victory. Near this location British bombs killed Charles Messenger of the U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla and wounded Charles Bhare and Robert Green of the U.S. Sea Fencibles.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 39° 15.812′ N, 76° 34.716′ W. Memorial is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Guns that Won the Battle (here, next to this marker); Entering Fort McHenry A Deadly Crossfire (within shouting distance of this marker); A Vast Hospital Once Stood Here (within shouting distance of this marker); You Can Help Save Fort McHenry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Guns of the Fort The Rodman Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); Dawn's Early Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Experimental Carriages (within shouting distance of this marker); O'er the Ramparts We Watch! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Other markers no longer nearby. Sailors Fighting Sailors (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Guns That Won the Battle (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Outer Battery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Ravelin (was within shouting distance of this marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
2. "Water Battery" by Richard Schlect, 2005
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
3. Army "Sailors," Navy "Soldiers" Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
4. Reconstructed Water Battery at Fort McHenry
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 18, 2025
5. Army "Sailors," Navy "Soldiers" Marker
Marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,002 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
