The Star Spangled Banner
The year was 1814 and our country was in dire trouble. Two years earlier Britain attempted to restrict U.S. trade, started forcing U.S. seamen to serve on British ships, and tried to prevent the U.S. from expanding its territory. War had been declared in June of 1812 and the U.S. Forces started by attacking Canada, which was then a British Colony. Indians in the Northwest Territory (of which Ohio was a part at that time) were convinced that an alliance with the British was their only hope of preventing the Americans from pushing them further away from their home lands. The U.S., overly confident considering their lack of preparation, was dealt a humiliating defeat by Sir Isaac Brock (then administrator in charge of Upper Canada) and the Shawnee Tribe’s forces under their leader, Tecumseh. In August of 1812 U.S. forces led by William Hull were pushed back across the Canadian border and a scared Hull surrendered Detroit with nary a shot fired. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry has success in the Battle of Lake Erie in September of 1813 and was able to hold the Northwest Territory. Britain decided to focus all their strength on the more populous eastern coast and in August of 1814 raided the Chesapeake Bay and captured Washington D.C.- burning government buildings including the Capitol Building and the White House.
The City of Baltimore anticipated an attack and soldiers at Ft. McHenry began preparations to defend the city’s harbor. Major George Armistead wanted a very large flag to fly over Fort McHenry, and an order was placed for two over-sized American flags. The larger flag would be the Great Garrison Flag– the largest battle flag ever to be flown at the time. The smaller flag would be the Storm Flag– a more durable and weather resistant flag of the same design. Available documentation shows Armistead desired a flag “so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance”.
A Prominent Baltimore flagmaker was given the order and soon Mary Pickersgill was stitching the flag assisted by her daughter, two nieces and a slave, Grace Wisher. At the time the practice of adding stripes with the induction of each new state was still in use and this flag would have fifteen stripes and fifteen stars. When completed the Great Garrison Flag measured 30 x 42 feet. Each of the stars was two feet across and the stripes were two feet wide.
In September of 1814 five thousand British soldiers and a fleet of 19 ships attacked Baltimore. Fort McHenry endured 25 hours of continuous shelling and heavy rain all throughout the night. The Storm Flag flew all through the bombardment. Early the next morning, shelling had stopped and the Garrison Flag was raised in its place, signaling to all an American victory. Imagine the sense of relief and pride the citizens of Baltimore must have felt! The sight of the flag waving proudly was the inspiration for poet Francis Scott Key to pen the poem Defence of Fort McHenry that would later become our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. This caused the 15 star, 15 stripe Great Garrison Flag to become known as the Star Spangled Banner.
The original flag remained in the possession of Major Armistead and then his descendants for nearly one hundred years. They would occasionally cut off small pieces to give as gifts or souvenirs and several feet of the original flag were gifted over the years, leaving it at 30 x 34 feet. One of the stars was also removed, and it is unknown who possesses this treasure today.
This photo shows the Great Garrison Flag pictured in 1863 in the Boston Navy Yard. The soldier standing at the foot of the flag gives an idea of the size.
The Great Garrison Flag is now a significant artifact in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, having been donated by the Armistead family in 1912. Several of the smaller pieces have also been donated by their owners over the years.
The Star Spangled Banner remains the only American flag to bear more than thirteen stripes. History Lovers would enjoy a trip to Baltimore where today one can visit many historical sites from this era including Fort McHenry and the home of Mary Pickersgill -now known as The Star Spangled Banner Flag House.
A modern (and smaller) version of this flag is available for purchase for $15 from our museum store by mail, or by visiting the Old Town Hall Museum. It makes a unique way to display your patriotism to the world and now…you know the story behind this great flag!