1814
Battle of Baltimore
The setting
Baltimore, Maryland (North Point and Fort McHenry)
Coastal city; land approach at North Point and the harbor entrance guarded by Fort McHenry
Reveal the outcome
Recorded sideUnited States
Recorded resultVictory; British assault repelled
American defensive victory
How the atlas explains it
Strong prepared earthworks and militia at North Point stalled the land column and killed General Ross, while Fort McHenry withstood a 25-hour naval bombardment beyond the reach of the ships' return fire, denying the fleet the harbor.
What followed
The repulse halted the British Chesapeake offensive weeks after the burning of Washington, and the sight of the fort's flag at dawn inspired Francis Scott Key's poem that became 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'