The One-Man Blockade of Great Britain – Thomas Boyle and the “Pride of Baltimore”
In 1814, during the war of 1812, American privateer captain Thomas Boyle launched a blockade of the British Isles. He did it without the support…
The Rockets’ Red Glare – Congreve’s Invention, Fort McHenry, and a National Anthem
On September 12, 1814, HMS Erebus sailed up the Patapsco river toward Baltimore. The British Royal Navy had been roaming free throughout Chesapeake Bay for…
Holy Roman Empress? – Maria Theresa’s Fight for Her Empire
In October of 1740, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, died. Charles had spent most of his life at war, first over the succession to the…
Adopting New Tactics – The Battle of Carillon
Usually when we think of battles that are turning points of war, we think of close contests, hard-fought by dedicated and honorable men who take…
Best Commerce Raider in History – CSS Alabama
In 200 feet of water off the north coast of France, near the port of Cherbourg, lies a Confederate warship which never saw a Confederate…