The military seized civilians suspected of sympathy for the rebels and jailed them in Fort McHenry without charges or trial. This violation of civilian liberties earned the fort the name "The American Bastile."

Baltimore Bastille

During the Civil War, Fort McHenry served as a Union transfer prison camp for Southern sympathizers and confederate prisoners of war. Usually, prisoners were confined at the fort for short periods of time before being transferred to such larger prisons as Point Lookout, Fort Delaware of Johnson's Island.

Fort McHenry Guardhouse Cell.

In May, 1861, Union officials began arresting Marylanders suspected of being Confederate sympathizers. Many never were charged with a crime and never received trials. Others were released after pledging not to "render any aid or comfort to the enemies of the Union," or by taking an oath of allegiance.

Life at Fort McHenry was very difficult. Each prisoner was given one blanket, but was denied bedding, chairs, stools, wash basins and eating utensils. They used a tin cup, pocket knife, hardtack for a plate, and forks and spoons whittled from bits of wood. Prisoners received three meals each day: breakfast, consisting of coffee and hardtack, a second meal of bean soup and hardtack; and a main meal of coffee, 1/2 of salt pork or pickled beef, and hardtack. Occasionally, the meat would be rancid and the hardtack moldy. Those prisoners who could afford to do so, bought fresh fruits, vegetables and comfort items from sutlers. Also, sympathizers from Baltimore sent large quantities of food, clothing, blankets and money.

Prisoners at Fort McHenry During the Civil War

Three Confederates taken prisoner at the Battle of Gettysburg and temporarly confined at Fort McHenry.

The prisoners spent their time engaged in a number of activities. They formed literary societies and debating teams. Many made trinkets which they traded for extra rations. There were daily ball games and rat hunts. And each evening, the prisoners staged a show.

Dejected Confederate prisoners, captured at the Battle of Chancellorsville, march behind their own captured battle flags.

Those imprisoned at Fort McHenry came from all classes of civilian population and from all ranks of the military. Among the most prominent civilians detained at the fort were the marshal of the Baltimore City Police force and the board of police commissioners; the mayor of Baltimore; a former governor of Maryland; members of the House of Delegates from Baltimore City and County; the congressman from the 4th Congressional District; a state senator; newspaper editors, including the grandson of Francis Scott Key; ministers, doctors, judges and lawyers. Prisoners of war included privates, officers, chaplains and surgeons.

At times, the inmate population swelled to numbers that severely strained the prison facilities. In February, 1862, there were only 126 prisoners at Fort McHenry. Early in 1863, the number of prisoners totaled 800. However, in July, 1863, following the battle of Gettysburg, there were 6,957 prisoners. After the large Gettysburg influx was dispersed, the monthly total ranged between 250 and 350 prisoners. During the last months of the war, the number dwindled sharply; and in September, 1865, there were only 4 prisoners at the fort. At the end of 1865, only a small detachment of Union troops remained to handle routine maintenance.

In contrast to the high death tolls at other prisons, the death toll at Fort McHenry was only 15. At least three men were executed at the fort. These included a Union soldier hanged for the murder of an officer; another, shot after having been found guilty of desertion and the attempted murder of several civilians; and a confederate sympathizer found guilty of murdering two civilians while practicing guerrilla warfare.

Because of its role as a prison camp during the Civil War, Fort McHenry became know as "Baltimore Bastille."

(Information courtesy of the National Parks Service)