Fort McHenry

General Thomas Childs: From Fort Erie to Puebla, Buried in St. Paul’s Cemetery

General Thomas Childs rests beneath an obelisk in lot 32 of St. Paul’s Cemetery in Alexandria, one of the thirteen burial grounds of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1796, he spent nearly forty years in the U.S. Army — from the War of 1812 through the Seminole War … Read more

The Battle of the White House

The Overlooked Battle of the Potomac and its Historical Significance In the early stages of the War of 1812, American forces took decisive action in April 1813. They successfully captured York (present-day Toronto, Canada) and set it ablaze in a controversial move. This aggressive act was not without consequences. Following Napoleon’s defeat in Europe, the … Read more