Head Quarters,  3d Brigade,
Baltimore, Sept 15, 1814.
Major Gen. S. Smith.

Sir –  I have the honor to report to you, that in obedience to your orders, I marched from Baltimore on Sunday the 11th inst, with part of my brigade, as the advanced core of the army under your command.  My force consisted of 550 of the 5th regt. under Lt. Col. Sterett; 620 of the 6th under Lt. Col. MacDonald; 500 of the 27th under Lt. Col. Long; 450 of the 39th under Lt. Col. Fowler; 700 of the 51st under Lt. Col. Amey; 150 riflemen under Capt. Dyer; 140 cavalry under Lt. Col. Biays; and the Union Artillery of 75 men with 6 4-pounders under Capt. Montgomery, making an aggregate of 3185 effective men.  I moved toward North Point by the main road, and at 8 o’clock PM reached the meeting house near the head of Bear Creek 7 miles from the city.  Here the brigade halted, with the exception of the cavalry who were pushed forward to Gorsuch’s farm, 3 miles in advance, and the rifleman who took post near the blacksmith shop, 2 miles in advance of our encampment. At 7 o’clock on the morning of the 12^th, I received information from the advanced videttes that the enemy were debarking troops from and under cover of their gun vessels which lay off the bluff of North Point within the mouth of the Patapsco river.  I immediately ordered back my baggage under a strong guard, moved forward the 5th and 27th regts. and my artillery to the head of Long Log Lane (so-called) resting the 5th with it, right on the head of a branch of Bear Creek and it’s left on the main North Point road, while the 27th was posted on the other side of the road in line with the 5^th, it’s left extended toward a branch of Back river.  The artillery I posted directly at the head of the lane in the interval between the 5th and 27^th.   The 39^th occupied a ground 300 yards in rear of the 27^th, and the 51st the same distance in the rear of the 5th extending each parallel to the front line.  The 6th regt. was thrown back to a position a short distance this side of Cook’s Tavern, and a half a mile in the rear of the 2nd line.  My orders were, that the 5th and 27th should receive the enemy, and if necessary, fall back thro’ the 51st and 39^th, and form on the right of the 6th or reserve regt.  The riflemen were ordered to the skirts of a thick low pine wood beyond the blacksmith shop, with a large sedgewood in front, that as the cavalry were still in advance who would inform of the enemy’s approach, they might take advantage of the covering of the wood and annoy his advance.   I soon learnt that the enemy’s advance party was moving rapidly up the main road,  and the cavalry continually announced their progress.  I flattered myself with the hope that the riflemen would soon proclaim by a galling fire their still nearer approach. Imagine my chagrin, when I perceived the whole rifle corps falling back upon my main position, having too credulously listened to the groundless information that the enemy were landing on Back river to cut them off.  My hopes of early annoyance to the enemy being thus frustrated, I threw the rifleman  on the right flank of my front line, thereby with the addition of a few calvary very well secured that flank.  My viforce dettes soon brought information that the enemy in large was enjoying himself at Gorsuch’s Farm. Insulted at the idea of a small marauding party thus daringly provoking chastisement, several of my officers volunteered their corps to dislodge it.  Capts. Levering’s and Howard’s companies from the 5^th, about 150 in numbers under maj. Heath of that regt, capt. Aisquith’s and a few other riflemen in all about 70, 1 4-pounder and 10 men under Lt. Stiles, and the cavalry, were immediately pushed forward to punish the insolence of the enemy’s advance, or, if his main body appeared, to give evidence of my wish for a general engagement.  The latter purpose was soon answered; this small volunteer corps had proceeded scarcely half a mile before the main body of the enemy showed itself, which was immediately attacked.  The infantry and riflemen maintained a fire of some minutes, and retired with some loss in killed and wounded; the cavalry and artillery owing to the disadvantaged grounds not being able to support them. In this skirmish major Heath’s horse was killed under him – At half past 2 o’clock the enemy commenced throwing rockets across my left flank, which seemed harmless, and had no other effect than to prepare my line for the sound of artillery, which was soon commenced by us on the enemy’s right column then pushing across towards my left, and returned by their 6 pounders and a howitzer upon my left and center.  The cannonade was brisk for some minutes, when I ordered my fire to cease until the enemy should get within close range of canister; seeing that my left flank was the main object of the enemy, I brought up the 39th into a line on the left of the 27^th, and detached 2 pieces of artillery to the left of the 39^th; still more securely to protect my flank, col. Amey of the 51st was ordered to form his regiment at right angles with my line, resting his right near the left of the 39^th.  This order he badly executed created for a moment some confusion in that quarter, but was soon rectified by the efforts of my aid de camp and brigade majors, who corrected the error of col. Amey, and posted the 51st in its ordered position. The enemy’s right column displayed and advanced upon the 39th and 27^th.  The 51st, unmindful of my object to use its fire in protection of my left flank in case an attempt should be made to turn it, totally forgetful of the honor of the brigade, and regardless of its own reputation, delivered one random fire and retreated precipitately, and in such confusion, as to render every effort of mind to rally them ineffective.  Some disorder was occasioned in the second battalion of the 39th by the flight of the 51^st, and a few gave way.  The fire now became general from left to right, my artillery in the centre poured forth an incessant valley of canister upon the enemy’s left column, who were endeavoring to gain the cover of a small log house, about 50 yards in front of the 5th – which, however precaution had been taken to fire, so soon as captain Sadler’s Jaeger’s from the 5^th, who were originally posted therein should be compelled to leave it. Tthe enemy’s line advanced about 10 minutes before 3 o’clock, with a severe fire which was returned by the artillery, the whole 27^th, the 5th except three companies of Captains Levering, Howard and Sadlers, which were much exhausted by the advanced skirmish of the two former – and the ordered retreat of the latter to resume their positions in line; – and from the first battalion of the 39^th, who maintained its ground in despite of the disgraceful example set by the intended support on the left.  The fire was incessant till about 15 minutes before 4 o’clock, when finding that my line now 1400 strong was insufficient to withstand the superior numbers of the enemy, and my left flank being exposed by the desertion of the 51^st, I was constrained to order a movement back to the reserve regiment, under Colonel McDonald, which was well posted to receive the retired line which mostly rallied well.  On forming with the 6^th, the fatigued state of the regiments and corps which had retired, and the probability that my right flank might be turned by a quick movement of the enemy in that direction, induced me after proper deliberation, to fall back to Worthington’s mill, which I was the more persuaded to by my desire to have the 6th regt. whose officers and men were eager to share the dangers of their brother soldiers perfect and in good order to receive the enemy on his nearer approach to the city.  All retired as I could wish, and were ready to act as circumstances might require. Iin this situation you found the Brigade on the morning of the 13^th, somewhat fatigued, but with increased confidence in ourselves, and renewing our preparation for the annoyance of the enemy alone, if deemed proper, or in conjunction with any other force.

I have thought it due to the merits of my Brigade, to detail thus fully their whole movement, and I feel a pride in the belief that the stand made on Monday in no small degree, tended to check the temerity of a foe, daring to invade a country like ours, and designing the destruction of our city, in whose defence some of the best blood of the country has already been spilt, and for whose safety and protection the citizen soldiers of the 3rd Brigade are ready to suffer every privation, and meet every danger.  Should report be true( and I doubt not the fact) that the enemy’s commanding officer Major General Ross was killed in this action, and that the enemy out fired in proportion to his superior numbers, I shall feel still more the valuable consequences of our fight. 

The conduct of many company officers and privates, was such as I calculated on – that of most of my field officers also merits my particular notice.  Major R.K  Heath of the 5th who led on the advance party to bring on the action, behaved as became an officer; the facts of his first horse being killed under him in the first skirmish his second being badly wounded, and himself receiving a contusion in the head by a musket ball, in the general action, are ample proofs of his bravery and exposure in discharge of his duty. –  Lieutenant Col. Sterett and Major Barry of the 5th, gained my highest approbation, and they unite with all in praise of Captain Spangler and his company of Volunteers from York, Pa. then attached to their company; also of Adjutant Cheston, who is slightly wounded; Lt. Col. Long of the 27^th, and his field and company officers, did well; this whole regiment were unsurpassed in bravery, resolution and enthusiasm.  My Brigade has to bewail the loss of Adjutant James L. Donaldson, who fell in the hottest of the fight bravely discharging the duties of his commission.  Lt. Colonel Fowler, and Major Steiger of the 39th did their duty in every respect, they speak highly of the Volunteer companies of Captain Quantril, from Hagerstown and captain Metzgar from Hanover Pennsylvania.  Captain Quantril is wounded.  Captain John Montgomery, commanding my artillery, gained for himself and his company lasting honor. –  Captain Aisquith, and his company of riflemen, merit my thanks.  Ensign Wilmot, commanding the company of United Volunteers of the 5^th, and many of his men, distinguished themselves.   To Brigade Majors Calhoun and Frailey, I am under great obligations for the prompt, and zealous performance of their duty.  To my Aid de Camp, Major George P Stevenson, too much praise cannot be given, his industry in every arrangement before the fight and in animating the whole line was conspicuous;, his zeal and courage are of the most ardent kind, the sprightliness of his manners in the most trying scenes had the happiest effect upon all to whom he had to communicate my orders; and the precision with which he delivered my commands, could be exceeded only by the coolness with which he always saw them executed.  He was animated. brave and useful. Major William B Barney, and Adjutant Lemuel Taylor, of the cavalry, who having no opportunity of distinction in their regiment owing to the grounds, did me great service, the former in aiding Captain Montgomery, the latter in conveying my orders through the whole. Mr. Robert Goodloe Harper deserves my thanks.  He visited me just before the action; accompanied the advance party; and aided me much throughout.  The brave soldiers under my command have suffered many privations, and I recognize among our killed and wounded many valuable men; of which I will make a report in a few days.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

 John Stricker

 Brig. Gen.  Com. 3d Brigade, M. M.