The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-11
The Lords Baltimore.

Historical Society," Baltimore delivered an inter-
more" The Baltimore family, he said, were not
famous for great achievements, but being con-
nected vii the early history of the State, their
memory should be cherished by every patriotic
Mary lander. There is no connected history of
the family and statements about them are con-
Trajectory. He related at length the history of
George Calvert, the first of the name who igur-
ed in connection with Maryland affairs. He was
born in 1882 of noble family, and became
courtier of King James l., by whom he was
knighted in 1917. His title, however, being that
of an Irish Lord, did not convey the privilege
of a seat in the English House of Lords. 1t is
usually thought that the city of Baltimore was
named for the Baltimore family, but that is a
mistake. 1t is named for an insignificant village
Sir George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore,
seems to have been the best of the name. He was "a
man of exalted character and conducted himself
with so much moderation and propriety that all
religious parties were pleased with him.
There were seven II not eight Lords Baltimore,
the most of whom were noted principally for
their vices. Some authors declare that there was
one named John, but the fact is not established,
as he is not mentioned IN the peerage or in the
records of Maryland.
The seventh and last was Frederick, who was
man of shallow intelligence and over-weening
self conceit. The last OF the race was accident
ally discovered in Queens prison, London, in
1861 having been imprisoned 20 years for debt
Sad end for the last Baltimore. Sic transit gloria
Dr. Morriss story of the Lords Baltimore was
graphically told and the lecture was agreea5y in
terspersed with bits of humor. The lecture dis
played a vast amount OF research and contained
many factS bearing on tne suDJecI WHICH are not
generally known.
The Capture of Havre de Grace.
Dr. Forwood then read valuable paper pre-
sented by DR.. Geo.W. Archer, of Hartford county.
giving the details OF the capture OF Havre DC
Grace by the British in 1913, and the barbarties
committed by them on that occasion. The paper
was admirably prepared, and gives every known
detail on the subject, Cleaned ny Dr. Archer from
sources believed to be authentic.
The British forces approached the town in
barges, in two divisions, commanded respective
V NJ Ia
had u battery with them and bombarded the town
as they approached. CONSERVATION reigned SUI
preme in the town and the forty or fifty rudely
armed militia men retreated. Dr. Archer adds
1.-The first alarm brought four or five men to
the little earthwork, All these, with one excep-
ton, ran off after firing few shots. The one
who stood his ground was John O'Neil SOLITARY
and alone he faced heroically the whole British
host, loading a cannon himself and firing it until
incapacitated by an accident from further artil-
cry service, when he hobbled off, amid a shower
OF grapeshot, got musket and together with
Mr. Barnes. who now Joined him, fired upon the
barge5 until their ammunition was exhausted,
when they withdrew-O'Neil for the purpose of
endeavorng to bring up the militia, who had
ingloriously fled without firing a shot
The enemy landed took possession OF the bat
be riding into town. Lieut.. Westphal mounted
Woods morse and led his marines across the COM
mons towards the town. On their way they en-
countered John O'Neil, who was enthusiastically
waving his hat to such of the militia as he could
descry at a distance, and shouting, Come back,
men d-n it, can beat the rascas Off yet
While thus engrossed, with two muskets in his
hand, he was captured.
Lieut.. Westphal was wounded in the hand by
shot fired by James Steele, county surveyor,
who gave that answer to asummons to surrender.
Orders were given , TO burn the houses S ana
der. About three-fourths of the houses were en-
lirely consumed.
his defeat" and the bombastc official account
OF Admiral Cockburn. The paper also contains
numerous extracts from the journal of the COM
mander of the schooner Hgntiyer, which took
part in the operations about Havre de Grace, and
other Important historical matter bearing upon
the subject.
1t is an able, valuable and interesting document.
and will it is hoped, be published in full by the
Historical Society.
Col. Robert S. Rodgers Paper.
Col. Robert S. Rodgers next gave some incidents
of the capture of Havre de Grace
Col. Robert s. Rodgers' home, Zion Hill, is
situated near Hayre dc Grace. He is son of
Commodore Rodgers whose gallant achieve
mepts during the war of 1917 aided greatly in
humbling British pride on the high seas. Col.
Rodgers prefaced his paper by an account of our
land and naval forces and of the general condi
tion of the country at the beginning OF that war.
On April 4th, 1913, Il large British squadron en-
tered the Chesapeake Bay, under command of Ad-
miral Warren, Rear Admiral Cockburn benglsec-
ond in command. The latter was destined to be-
come famous along the shores of the Chesapeake
as a marauder. They proceeded slowly up the bay,
landing here and there, and carrying or cattle,
did not even spare the setting hens.
On April 28th the squadron anchored of Spesu-
tia Island, and on the 18th an expedition in boats
destroyed Frenchtown, which consisted of three
or four houses
On Monday, May 3D.. the attack was made on
Hayre de Grace. The journal of Lieut.. Hutchin-
son, commanding the British schooner Highfyer,
says; su,,o,+ +,o hoots oarroa tho so,+ Of Ave-
guns and town, under heavy fire of cannon and
musketry burned the town and proceeded to des-
troy a cannon foundry on the adjacent coast.-
AT sunset the boats returned with good share
Havre de Grace contained perhaps 400 people.
1t was a wel-known place on the great post-road
Washington Eastward. where g.
sengers often stopped and spent the night pre-
vious to crossing the river, and went to bed with
lady, her canvas-back ducks and apple-toddy
for no sombre dreams of local option disturbed
the placid slumbers of the fathers of Havre de
Grace in those days.
The militia had thrown up breast-work, not
far from the present location of the saw-mill, be-
hind which they had established three guns, one,
nine and two six Founders. When on Thursday,
April Goth, the British squadron went into Elk
river, they were plainly seen from Havre de
Grace, and on Sunday the squadron was assem-
bled off Spesuta Island.
On Monday, May 3D. the morning dawned
with heavy fog resting on the water. The
British ships were shut out from view at Havre
de Grace. The fishermen at Point Concord were
of many oars. pulled with the quick jerk of man
of-war boats, and the orders. give way" saluted
burst out of the mist. The fishermen fled, with
out distinction of race or color.
The boats swept up along the shore, discharg-
ing rockets, shot and shell as they moved. The
inhabitants, thus rudely disturbed started from
their beds, and catching up their clothing fled
with such articles Of household goods as they
deemed most precious or most portable, accom-
panied by about forty militia
Now among the citizens John 0'Ne, an
honest, industrious 1rshman, who was one of
the men supposed to be assigned the duty of
working the guns The sight of the British flag
was too much for him and all alone he ran to his
gun, he says, and found one man there. After
firing few shots all retreated and left me alone.
loaded the gun myself, without any one to tend
vent, which, you know, is very dangerous
MIR. ONeil was soon obliged to retreat, which
he seems to have done in good order, for on his
ed by an officer on horse back and taken on
board the Admral's ship He was the subject of
msndins the district, and Admiral Warren, the
General threatening to hang two Englshmen il
ONeil were hung as British subject.
Warren, says they landed under heavy fire.
The marines carried the battery and turned the
guns on the town. The militia retreated TO the
Admiral oockburn then gave orders to burn
the town. the town was also ass P,gndefe req ana
convenient to transport was burned or hacked to
pieces,
neer could assume the manners of a gentleman,
and when Mrs. Goldsborough begged him to spare
her mothers house to which the loren nad 6een
The lady. who was young and handsome, declar-
ing in her excitement that If he spared the house
she would love him as long as she lived, the Ad-
miral, with smile and bow, replied: After
snch promise he certainly could not think OF
doing anything TO distress
A party in boats was also sent into Cecil coun-
ty, to destroy the furnace at Principle, and a
small detachment went out to the elegant estab-
lishmeEt of Mr.. Pringle, now owned by the heirs
of Mr.. e. Lewis. Lieut.. Westpha, of Cockburn 8
ship on the way was wounded in the hand, from
which he afterwards died. Mrs. Goldsborough
accompanied an officer and succeeded in saying
the house from the flames.
The sailors, after burning and plunderng TO
their hearts content, continued their festivities
by getting very drunk, for good whiskey was one
OF the necessities Of every house In those primi-
tive times. Some Of the plunder was recovered
by its lawful owners without the formality of a
repleTin. , r-,.