Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Direct Hit
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 16, 2010
1. Direct Hit Marker
About 2:00 p.m. on September 13, 1814, gunners of the Maryland Militia under Captain J.H. Nicholson were waiting out the British bombardment behind this parapet. It was futile to return fire because their 21 pounder gun did not have the range to hit the enemy warships.
Suddenly a British shell landed in their midst and exploded, knocking the heavy carriage off its carriage. When the smoke cleared, several men had been wounded. Two lay dead. Lieutenant Levi Claggett and Sergeant John Clemm, both Baltimore merchants.
Considering the heavy fire Fort McHenry withstood, more than 1,500 bombs and 700 rockets, it is remarkable that casualties were not heavier. Two other Americans died in the battle. Charles Messinger and Thomas Beeston. Twenty-four soldiers were wounded.
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. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1813.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Direct Hits (here, next to this marker); Cistern and Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Providing For The Common Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); British Bomb (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Mortars vs. Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. National Park Service (Submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A..)
Photographed By Paul Jordan, August 4, 2010
2. Direct Hit Marker
2. Battle of Baltimore. HistoryCentral.com (Submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A..)
Photographed By Paul Jordan, August 4, 2010
3. Direct Hit Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 16, 2010
4. Direct Hit Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 16, 2010
5. Area Where Shell Hit
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. This page has been viewed 1,145 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. 4, 5. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
