Washington Blues facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Blues |
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The Battle of North Point, painted by Thomas Ruckle, a corporal and amateur artist who served in George H. Steuart's company, the Washington Blues, Maryland Militia
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| Active | 1814 |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  Maryland |
| Branch |  Maryland Militia |
| Type | volunteers |
| Size | company |
| Part of | Maryland Line |
| Engagements | War of 1812 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Captain George H. Steuart |
| Notable commanders |
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Sterett Captain George H. Steuart |
The Washington Blues was a group of volunteer soldiers from Maryland. They fought in two important battles during the War of 1812: the Battle of Bladensburg and the Battle of North Point.
Contents
History of the Washington Blues
Forming the Company
When the War of 1812 began between the United States and Great Britain, a man named George H. Steuart was a Captain. He gathered a group of volunteers from Maryland. This group became known as the Washington Blues. They were part of the 5th Maryland Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Sterett.
Fighting at Bladensburg
The Washington Blues first saw action at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814. This battle was not a good one for the American forces. The British soldiers were very strong, and the American troops, including the 5th Regiment, were forced to retreat. Even though the 5th Regiment tried to fight bravely, they were surrounded by the British. They had to pull back in a hurry. After this battle, British forces marched into Washington, D.C. and burned parts of the city.
Holding the Line at North Point
The Washington Blues fought much better at the Battle of North Point on September 12, 1814. Here, the Maryland militia, including the Washington Blues, managed to hold their ground for several hours. They fought hard before slowly retreating. Captain Steuart himself was wounded in this battle.
Some other militia groups ran away under fire. However, the 5th and 27th Regiments, which included the Washington Blues, stood firm. They were able to retreat in an organized way. They also caused many injuries to the British soldiers who were attacking.
A soldier named Corporal John McHenry from the 5th Regiment wrote about the battle. He said that his regiment, the 5th, earned praise from the other groups. He was proud that his company, the Washington Blues, fought so well. He wrote that they were the last to leave the battlefield. He believed that if they had not retreated when they did, they would have been completely cut off.
Notable Members of the Washington Blues
Thomas Ruckle, Artist and Soldier
- Corporal Thomas Ruckle was one of the volunteers in the Washington Blues. He worked as a sign painter and glazier. He was also an amateur artist. Ruckle painted two famous pictures: The Battle of North Point and The Defense of Baltimore. He painted these soon after the events happened. Today, these paintings are kept at the Maryland Center for History and Culture.
George H. Steuart, Military Leader
- Captain George H. Steuart later became a very important military leader in Maryland. He rose to the rank of Major General in the Maryland Militia. From 1841 to 1861, he was the Commander of the First Light Division of the Maryland Volunteer Militia.
During the start of the American Civil War in 1861, there were some disturbances in Baltimore. People who supported the Southern states attacked Union soldiers passing through the city. Captain Steuart himself had strong feelings for the Southern states. Because of this, the Governor did not ask him to use the militia to stop the unrest. In May 1861, Union troops took control of the state. This helped bring order and stopped Maryland from joining the Southern states. Steuart moved south during the Civil War. Many soldiers who joined the Confederate army from Maryland had been part of Steuart's militia.
