| John Stricker | |
|---|---|
 Brigadier General John Stricker, painted in 1816 by Rembrandt Peale, who also painted George Washington and Thomas Jefferson | |
| Born | February 15, 1759 |
| Died | June 23, 1825 (aged 66) |
| Place of birth | Frederick, Maryland |
| Place of death | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Place of burial | Westminster Hall and Burying Ground Baltimore, Maryland |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America Maryland |
| Service/branch |
U.S. Army Maryland Militia |
| Years of service | 1814 |
| Rank | Brigadier General (United States) |
| Commands held | Third Bridage, Third Division, Maryland Militia |
| Battles/wars | |
Brigadier General John Stricker (1758–1825) was a Maryland Militia officer who fought in both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He commanded the Baltimore brigade of the Maryland Militia in the Battle of North Point on September 12, 1814, which formed a part of the larger Battle of Baltimore, and was a turning point in the War of 1812.
Early life and Revolutionary War[]
Stricker was born on February 15, 1759, at Frederick, Maryland. He was the son of Colonel George Stricker, who served during the Revolutionary War. The younger Stricker served as a cadet under his father's command, in the 1st Maryland Regiment, commanded by William Smallwood. He was present at the battles of Princeton (January 3, 1777), Brandywine (September 11, 1777), and Monmouth (June 28, 1778).[1]
Battle of North Point[]
Painting of the Battle of North Point by Don Troiani, at which the Maryland Militia were able to hold off a British attack long enough to organize the successful defense of the city of Baltimore.
On September 12, 1814, a British force of around 9,000 men was landed at North Point in Maryland, aiming to march upon and capture the city of Baltimore. Stricker, as Brigadier General and commander of the third brigade of the Maryland Militia, was ordered to delay the British advance, in order to buy enough time to complete the building of defensive fortifications around Baltimore.[2]
The fifth regiment of the Maryland Militia was assigned the task of holding the right flank of the American forces, and withstood two hours of rocket fire and artillery before eventually being ordered to fall back to the newly constructed line of trenches outside Baltimore. The British army, many of whom were veterans of Napoleonic Wars, were surprised by the strong resistance of the Maryland Militia and, having taken around 300 casualties, they withdrew.[3]
The successful defense of Baltimore was an important boost to American morale and directly contributed to the end of the War of 1812.
Today The First and Second Battalions of the 175th Infantry, Maryland Army National Guard, carry on the tradition of the 5th Maryland Regiment.[4]
Family life[]
Grave at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground
Stricker married Martha Bedford (1763–1816), daughter of Gunning Bedford, of Philadelphia, in 1783. They had six daughters and a son:[5]
- Mary (1784–1851)
- Catherine (1786–1860)
- Ann Eliza (1789–1843)
- Julianna (1797-?)
- Charlotte (1798–1826)
- Laura (1805–1877)
- John (1800–1837).
General Stricker is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore.
Later life and death[]
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See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Article from the Maryland Online Encyclopedia
- ↑ * Article on the Maryland Militia at the Battle of North Point, at the National Guard website
- ↑ * Article on the Maryland Militia at the Battle of North Point, at the National Guard website
- ↑ * Article on the Maryland Militia at the Battle of North Point, at the National Guard website
- ↑ Article from the Maryland Online Encyclopedia
External links[]
- Article from the Maryland Online Encyclopedia Retrieved November 2011
- Article on the Maryland Militia at the Battle of North Point, at the National Guard website Retrieved November 2011
- John Stricker at Find a Grave Retrieved November 2011
The original article can be found at John Stricker and the edit history here.