James W. Wallace to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1814
From James W. Wallace
Aquia* Sept 13th 14
Dear sir
A stage passenger this (11 oclock AM) moment from Baltimore, says the Enemy has landed 12 miles below Baltimore; and that our army (17,000 strong) has gone to meet him.
If Winder has the command of the Militia Baltimore will share the fate Washington.
NB. I shall See you in a few days
J W W
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 21 Sept. 1814 and so recorded in SJL.
Brigadier General William Henry winder commanded the American forces at the disastrous battle of Bladensburg. Despite questions about his leadership, James Monroe, as acting secretary of war, placed Winder under Major General Samuel Smith of the Maryland militia during the American defense of Baltimore (, 41–3, 611–2).
1. Manuscript: “Monticllo.”
Index Entries
- Baltimore, Md.; militia of search
- Bankhead, Ann (Anne) Cary Randolph (TJ’s granddaughter; Charles Lewis Bankhead’s wife); greetings to search
- Bankhead, Charles Lewis (Ann Cary Randolph Bankhead’s husband); greetings to search
- Bladensburg, Battle of search
- Monroe, James; as secretary of state search
- Smith, Samuel (of Maryland); as major general search
- Wallace, James Westwood; letters from search
- Wallace, James Westwood; plans visit to Charlottesville search
- Wallace, James Westwood; reports on military activity search
- War of1812; Battle of Bladensburg search
- War of1812; British destruction in Washington search
- War of1812; defense of Baltimore search
- War of1812; defense of Washington search
- Washington (D.C.); British destruction in search
- Washington (D.C.); defenses of search
- Winder, William Henry; and Battle of Bladensburg search
- Winder, William Henry; and defense of Baltimore search