
War of 1812
Biography
George Armistead
You are here
SHARE THIS

George Armistead
TITLE
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
WAR
&
AFFILIATION
War of 1812
/
American
DATE OF BIRTH - DEATH
April 10, 1780 - April 25, 1818
George Armistead was born April 10, 1780, in Newmarket, Virginia. He began his military career during the Quasi War with France in 1799 as an Ensign in the Seventh Infantry Regiment, rising quickly to Second and then First Lieutenant by May 1800. Following the Quasi War, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the artillery, rising to Captain in 1806. During the War of 1812, he and four of his brothers served in either the regular army or militia. Armistead was promoted to Major of the Third Artillery Regiment in March of 1813 and distinguished himself at the capture of Fort George in Canada. He was given the honor of carrying the captured battle flags to President Madison in Washington. Upon his arrival, he was ordered to take command of Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor. As commander of the fort, he ordered a large garrison flag from Mary Pickersgill, the same flag that would inspire Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Armistead successfully defended the fort against a prolonged British bombardment, earning a Brevet promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. He would remain in command of the fort until his death three years later on April 25, 1818. He was the uncle of Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who was mortally wounded at Gettysburg; they are buried side-by-side in Baltimore.
Join t Fight
Donate today to preserve War of 1812 battlefields and the nation’s history for generations to come.
Related People
War of 1812
Ross was born in Ireland and commissioned into the 25th Regiment of Foot after completing college...
War of 1812
John Stricker, born February 15, 1759 in Fredrick, Maryland, was the son of Colonel George Stricker...
War of 1812
Alexander Inglis Cochrane was born on April 23, 1758, the younger son of Thomas Cochrane, a...
War of 1812
In the Summer of 1813, as the War of 1812 waged across the United States, Major George Armistead...

53,000
ACRES SAVED

The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states!
SEE THE LAND WE'VE SAVEDShop and Preserve
Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Every purchase supports the mission.
Give with Confidence!
The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education.