210 years later, the Battle of North Point means family fun

First published Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 in the Dundalk Eagle.

210 years ago, British troops landed on the shores of North Point.

In a fierce battle, the British won the skirmish, but suffered a strategic setback — one of many to come.

210 years later, the Battle of North Point is a family-friendly celebration of American resistance, complete with reenactors, blacksmiths, fencers, bracelet tossers, soap makers, and, only slightly historically inaccurate, politicians.

Faces old and new came from near and far to celebrate. One group came from Pennsylvania to portray British soldiers, while blacksmith Bridget Graff came from Harford County. The local Boy Scouts, Troop 745 of Essex, were in on the action too, arriving at the crack of dawn to set the sprawling scene up in Fort Howard Park.

“We do it not only to just help an event in the community, but we also do receive money for our troop for this so we can recharter,” said boy scout Blake Ament.

The event kicked off with an update from Paul Blitz, Del. Ric Metzgar’s chief of staff and a prominent resident, and Kevin Garrity, who presided over the event, explaining what exactly the actors were reenacting.

Blitz and Garrity took turns riffing on using modern technology (microphones) while wearing period clothing and updating the audience on the little information available about the war thus far on Sept. 12, 1814.

“I would like to introduce one of the local residents of the Patapsco Neck. He’s going to give us some information and background on the situation as it is up to the present time.”

“Well, I can only tell you what I know,” Blitz said.

“Well, you can speak into this microphone,” Garrity chided him.

“Sure. I’m not used to this modern technology,” Blitz responded, getting chuckles from the crowd.

“Hasn’t been invented yet,” Garrity joked.

“Just ask anyone who knows me — I’m more confident with an M16 in my hand than I am with a computer,” Blitz said.

“What is this M16?” Garrity asked to more chuckles from the crowd.

“It’s a long story,” Blitz said before continuing with an update on the war thus far.

The British had just landed on the shores of the North Point Peninsula, according to rumors heard in church, after landing in Bladensburg two weeks earlier and catching the Americans completely off guard. The Americans scattered — hence the battle’s name, the Bladensburg Races.

“When they arrived here in the early hours, they really made a lot of noise. So that’s pretty much all I can tell you at this point, that they landed on our shores,” Blitz said. “And I need to get back to my wife and family to protect them just in case they come back and protect my property.”

A bitter taste of national politics came up briefly when Garrity jokingly asked Blitz why he wasn’t serving in one of the militia units — “bone spurs perhaps?”

I served my time in the army, thank you,” Blitz said before stepping off stage.

After a few minutes, the British advanced. Slowly. Loudly, between the drums and music.

“Then, just as now, the British took their time coming up,” Garrity commented.

“So as the British —” Garrity started to narrate before a loud shot from a British gun could be heard, “a shot rang out.”

“This triggered a short skirmish engagement,” Garrity continued, unfazed.

Then, another shot rang out and British Gen. Robert Ross, portrayed by Jennifer Egan, fell.

“Gen. Ross has been wounded,” a British solider called out.

“Gen. Ross has been wounded,” Garrity repeated.

“I just said that,” the soldier retorted to laughter.

The British troops rushed to transport the general to the medical tent.

“Hang in there, general,” one soldier called.

“In fact, he did not hang in there,” Garrity commented.

“And Gen. Ross —” he started saying as Gen. Ross fell from his stretcher.

“Oh my God,” Garrity could only say.

“He didn’t die from the shot, he died from that,” Garrity joked. “Gen. Ross died on the way back to the ships at North Point.”

Ironically enough, he died where the Optimist Club sits today, Garrity said.

“I’m sorry, General, I tried, I tried!” a British soldier called out. “We will avenge you, General.”

The Americans soon retreated, though not without the British paying a heavy price. The troops were forced to delay their assault on Baltimore.

Still, a British soldier gloated, “We defeated the Americans!”

Oh how wrong they would be.