Originally Posted by
dawg80
After it became clear to the Brits they would no compel Fort McHenry to surrender with a naval bombardment, they landed about 1,000 Royal Marines who were to attack the fort from the other side. The navy would open another bombardment which would force its defenders to seek shelter in the "bomb proofs." These were specially built bunkers that all forts had to protect against shelling. But, American scouts outside of the fort saw the British marines rowing to shore a few miles away and alerted the defenders. Together with a local militia unit, the Americans mustered about 300 men and moved out under fire to meet the new threat. They ambushed the British marines while they were still in column of march and routed the Redcoats. The British fell back, regrouped, and tried again, this time in battle line. But, the Americans were well placed on the hilltops and behind the cover of trees and stone walls and they stopped the Brits in their tracks. Realizing it was hopeless, the British Marine commander retired back to his boats and returned to their ships.
Eventually, the Brits gave up trying to take Fort McHenry and moved on to other targets.