Fort McHenry:A Military Prison,1861-1865
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This late 18th century seacoast installation is perhaps, the most famous fort in American history because of its association as the birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812. In 1829 Fort McHenry was upgraded by the War Department to its present appearance, that of its role during the Civil War when utilized as a military prison, coastal artillery post, hospital and supply depot by the 8th Army Corps,U.S. Army. |
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Following the battle of Manassas in 1861, it became evident a site was needed for the transfer of prisoners. Baltimore being 200 miles further inland than any other city on the east coast with all rail and telegraph lines converging on the city from the north and west was quickly occupied in May 1861. To safeguard these western and northern communication lines into Washington, Baltimore had to be held at all costs. The fort's official recorded mortality rate lists only 38 prisoners of war had died out of the 15,091 who were temporarily detained here during the war. The small number may have resulted from the medical facilities established early in Baltimore and their temporary detainment. |
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Political Prisoners Throughout the war, but especially in the summer of 1861,Union officials arrested an estimated 2,000 civilians who were imprisoned at Fort McHenry since the Presidential suspension of the writ of habeas corpus on April 27, 1861 and finally authorized by Congress on March 3, 1863. Among these imprisoned were 31 members of the Maryland Legislature, the mayor of Baltimore and 32 newspaper editors and owners. |
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Antietam 1862 Following the Battle of Antietam, Baltimore became a major prisoner of war transfer facility and hospital complex. Nearly every waterfront warehouse, hotel and available building were turned into makeshift hospitals for the wounded of both sides. Like Gettysburg a year later the sounds of the battle could clearly be heard in Baltimore as "distant thunder." |
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Gettysburg 1863 On July 11, 1862, major General Robert Schenck, commander of the Middle Department and Fort McHenry, reported to President Lincoln "Have received in this month of July at Fort McHenry 6,795 prisoners of war, captured in Maryland and Pennsylvania." The enormity of the prisoner arrivals not only from Gettysburg but the Vicksburg campaign overwhelmed the city. |
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May 1865 Among the last prisoners confined at Fort McHenry were six rebel officers, captured on May 10, 1865 at Irwinsville, Georgia while accompanying President Jefferson Davis and his family. They were released in June 1865. |
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Today All of the prison facilities and other structures associated with the Civil War and prior survived outside the star fort until removed in 1927. Today, only the original cells within the star fort have survived, where once "offenders against the law of nations…accused of being spies, pirates, recruiting within our lines, under sentence of death, Etc., occupy two rooms in the interior of the fort." Colonel P.A. Porter , 8 N.Y. Artillery - 1863. |
ThanksThe National Park Service wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine for providing the records for our database. Thanks also goes out to Scott Sheads and Ana Von Lunz, both Rangers at Ft. McHenry, for working with the CWSS staff and supplying us with the history of the prison. |
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