Battle of North Point

Battle of North Point
Part of the Battle of Baltimore and War of 1812

The Battle of North Point by Thomas Ruckle
DateSeptember 12, 1814
Location39°16′44″N 76°29′15″W / 39.2789°N 76.4876°W / 39.2789; -76.4876
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United States United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Samuel Smith
John Stricker
Robert Ross 
Arthur Brooke
Strength
3,200 4,000
Casualties and losses
24 killed
139 wounded
50 captured
39–46 killed
251–295 wounded
1 missing

The Battle of North Point was fought on September 12, 1814, between General John Stricker's Maryland Militia and a British force led by Major-General Robert Ross. Although the Americans were driven from the field, they were able to do so in good order having inflicted significant casualties on the British, killing Ross and demoralizing the troops under his command. Some of Ross's units became lost among woods and swampy creeks during the battle, with others in similar states of confusion.

This combination of setbacks prompted Colonel Arthur Brooke to delay the British advance against Baltimore, giving to the Americans valuable time so to properly prepare for the defense of the city as Stricker was retreating back to the main defenses to bolster the existing force. The engagement was a part of the larger Battle of Baltimore, an American victory in the War of 1812.