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
Date September 12, 1814 Location North Point, Maryland 39°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[1]	4,000[1]
Casualties and losses
24 killed 139 wounded 50 captured[1]	39–46 killed 251–295 wounded[1][2][3] 1 missing[4]

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, buying valuable time to properly prepare for the defense of the city as Stricker retreated 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.