The Courier's Bulletin -- #07 -- The Battle of Baltimore

 Courier's Bulletin #07

- General P.G.T. Beauregard's Army of the Potomac advanced on Northern Maryland through November and secured the City and Port of Baltimore in December 1861. What followed were two weeks of aggressive marching and counter-marching to prevent being cut off by the Federal Army of the Northeast. The following telegrams were received on December 18, 1861, on the eve of General Beauregard's defeat against the Federal forces. 

Telegram(s):

- General Beauregard's army, 25,000 strong, having dispensed of raiding forces West of Baltimore, counter-marched East as the Army of the Northeast moved on Fort McHenry.

- As evening drew, the Confederate forces found themselves between the two main wings of the opposing army. Weary, they deployed for combat and held the line, waiting for the Federal advance. The northern Federal wing struck first and broke against the Confederate front. Attempting to turn the halt into a route, General Bill Hardee ordered a counter-charge, which broke. Exhausted and on the verge of falling where they stood, the Confederate attempt to force a route turned into a route of its own.

- Generals A. S Johnston and Cleburne made similar attempts at forcing a route as the Federals advanced on the south flank of the Confederate line. The result was disastrous. The Federals, halted, but not broken, regrouped and began mop-up operations as the entire Army of the Potomac was forced to retire.

Casualty Report:

- Casualties are impossible to accurately determine as southern brigades continue their withdrawal from the field. Immediate estimates suggest losses in the 4,000-5,000 range for the Confederates, amounting to as much as  fifth of the Army's fighting force.

- General Beauregard and his men have abandoned Baltimore, Fort McHenry, and will likely be forced to retire into Virginia.