The conflict on this battlefield on September 12, followed on September 13 and 14 by the unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British fleet under Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, commander-in-chief of all the invading forces, was the last battle on American soil before peace was secured by the Treaty of Ghent on December 14, 1814. This battle acre was presented to the State of Maryland by Dr. Jacob Houck in 1839. The acre was enclosed and this memorial cannon erected by the National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission on September 12, 1914.