Baltimore continued

I neglected to mention yesterday that the Massachusetts troops lost four of their own, in addition to the civilian deaths. Most of us remember the prominent role that Ft McHenry played in the War of 1812 ( I hope no one needed the Star Spangled Banner hint). What you might not know is that the fort served as a prison during the war, and the mayor and police commissioner were two of it's guests. Apparently they also turned some of the guns on the city just to remind them. There is a museum there that covers not only the War of 1812, but also Civil War topics. That will be a future visit when tornadoes are not approaching as they were the other day I was there. To see what the fort has to offer, check out the website at http:// www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm.

Not to give the impression that the entire population of Baltimore were secessionists. There were quite a few Union supporters as well, leading to tension that was unique not just to Baltimore, but also many parts of Maryland. Those who have followed the controversy regarding the state song know what I mean about different perspectives. I did read a couple of interesting things in a Baltimore publication about the war - that Maryland refused to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment until a century after it's passage in 1870. (right to vote regardless of race) And how about this one. "At the Maryland Historical Society, Union and Confederate veterans donated memorabilia that was kept in two separate "rooms" until 1994, showing just how long the state remained a house divided." (Visit Baltimore - The Official Guide Winter-Spring 2010-11).

top picture is in front of the Baltimore Civil War Museum. Former President Street station.
bottom picture is on the Civil War trails network.