Battle of Baltimore Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States of America. Future President James Buchanan served as Private in the defense of Baltimore. Until April 1814, Great Britain was at war with Napoleonic France, which limited British war aims in America. During this time the British primarily used a defensive strategy and repelled American invasions of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained naval control over Lake Erie in 1813, and seized parts of western Ontario.
Charles Napier (Royal Navy officer) Fort McHenry and two smaller forts to the west, batteries Covington and Babcock. The British fought back strongly with cannon and rockets. (Watching the battle from a safe distance, Georgetown lawyer and poet, Francis Scott Key who had been attempting to free a Prince George's County doctor, arrested earlier for jailing British army deserters, William Beanes, was inspired to compose the poem, "The Defence of Fort McHenry", which was later set to music as "The Star-Spangled Banner", (the later American national anthem). Eventually American firepower prevailed; Napier was compelled to retire to the warships with substantial casualties, and Cochrane’s fleet