George W Hicks

Chesapeake in Flames George W Hicks

Lights flare! bombs explode! rockets shriek! An unbearable place of sights and sounds fills the fort. Syncopated flashes and smoke hang in the rain, dazzling fort defenders. Hiding behind bricks and earthen mounds soldiers could only offer silent prayers. The nation's capital buildings are in ashes, citizens continue to assist the advancing enemy. Turmoil churns the Bay. Now America's third largest city faces the British; Baltimore must persevere. Admiral Alexander Cochrane first opposes the Washington campaign, but the ease of capturing the capital emboldens the British. Instead of sailing to the Mississippi River and New Orleans the admiral decides on another easy target. Now the entire fleet and a veteran army advances toward the Den of Pirates as Cochrane names Baltimore. Most Washington City citizens enjoy standard warfare courtesies protecting private property. That would not be the case with Baltimore: both the government and civilians will feel the sting of the British empire. Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay are doomed.