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MARY
MAR
MARYLAND
AR
RYLAND
MILESTONES
MILESTONES
MARYLAND
MILESTONES
WAR OF 1812 & THE BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on
Great Britain. The War of 1812–also known as the
“second war for American independence”–threatened
every border of our young Nation. In August of 1814,
the War was brought to the Chesapeake Bay and at
Noon on August 24, the War came here to Prince
George’s County. Bladensburg, a colonial tobacco
trading port, was where British military leaders
crossed on their way to burn the Capitol. 1 While
the bridge no longer exists, the modern pedestrian
bridge at Waterfront Park approximates the size,
while the location is just to the south of the modern
highway bridge.
British troops, having marched across the County
from Nottingham and through Upper Marlbrough,
entered Bladensburg near Benjamin Stoddert’s
Bostwick along the “river road.” Bostwick, at the
time, was home to the British Prisoner Exchange
Commissioner and was used as a temporary camp for
the officers. The British troops took position, setting
up Congreve rockets behind homes and shops
War of 1812 encampment at Riversdale.
in town. Several buildings still exist, including
Magruder House, the George Washington House
(then known to be part of the Indian Queen Tavern
complex) and the Market Master House.
The first line of American defenders, unaware of the
scope of the British force, opened fire from the east
side of the river near Cottage City Community Park.
2 Returning fire, the British launched their rockets.
American troops and militia panicked and fell back
in retreat. President James Madison, Secretary of
President James Madison
Commodore Joshua Barney
State James Monroe, General Walter Smith and his
aide Francis Scott Key, all on the field at the opening
of the battle, second-guessed other leaders and
retreated as well – eventually leading to the term
“Bladensburg Races.” 3 Cannons which were
intended to provide support to the troops arrived late
as they were moved into place along Bladensburg
Road near 40th Avenue. The first one became stuck
in the road, while the other lost a wheel and both
were abandoned in the face of the advancing British.
4 As the defense collapsed, Commodore Joshua
Barney and his sailors arrived from Washington’s
Navy Yard. His flotillamen, assisted by Captain
Miller’s Marines, provided the most concerted push
against the British, who were crossing Dueling Creek.
Barney’s men and cannons took up a strong position
on a hill, now Fort Lincoln Cemetery and along
Eastern Avenue, aided by Jacob Kramer’s Prince
George’s County militia. Together, they held the
enemy back for nearly an hour and caused significant
British injury.
5 Yet, by four o’clock, Barney was wounded,
ordered his men to retreat, and surrendered. The
battle was over and Washington faced British torches.
Later, British troops, returning to their ships in the
Chesapeake Bay would take Upper Marlboro resident
Dr. William Beanes prisoner. Francis Scott Key and
the American Prisioner Exchange Commissioner
John Skinner would seek his release. Kept on board
a ship in the harbor until the Battle of Baltimore,
Key was inspired by the fight and would pen the
lyrics to our modern national anthem, the Star
Spangled Banner.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.marylandmilestones.org
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MARYLAND
MILESTONES
MAR
MARY
MARYLAND
AR
RYLAND
MILESTONES
MILESTONES
North
r
EA
NE
RN
ST
ST
E
AV
E
35
TH
WAR OF 1812 & THE BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG
5
BL
AD
EN
CO
SB
UR
TT
AG
G
RD
ET
ER
RA
CE
208
VE
HA
OO
3
DS
37T
VE
HA
KW
38T
R
PA
OLN
LINCOLN
FORTT LINC
FOR
TERY
CEME
CEMETERY
T
4
40T
VE
HA
CO
TT
AG
BUNKER HIL
ET
ER
RA
CE
L RD
LAW
RE
40T
VE
HA
NC
ES
T
41S
VE
DA
VE
TA
43R
COLMAR MANOR
COMMUNITY PARK
42N
VE
DA
CITY
COT TAGE CITY
COTTAGE
PARK
COMMUNITY PARK
COMMUNITY
COLMAR MANOR
COMMUNITY PARK
C
CO
2
NE
R
WA
KR
D
NR
ST
C
COLMAR
OLMAR M
MANOR
ANOR
COMMUNIT
MUN Y PARK
PAR
COMMUNITY
ARK
Walking Tour
Bike Loop
Connector
UNDAUNTED
UNDAUNTED
MONUMENT
Kingfisher
Kayak Trail
GEOR
GEORGE
GE
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON
HOUSE
ANACOSTIA
ANACOSTIA RIVER
KINGFISHER
CANOE
CANOE
TRAIL
TRAIL
MAGRUDER
M
AGRUDER
HOUSE
ST
ST.
ST
T. PAULS
PAULS
METHODIST
METHODIST
CHURCH
CHURCH
Visitor
Visitor Center
Center
Water Access
HUR
Bus Stop
1
UPS
1
OE
1
MO
American/Britis
h Action Sites
47TH ST
201
Metro Station
KE
M
MARKET
ARKET
SQU
SQUARE
ARE
48TH ST
ST
BOST
BOSTWICK
WICK
HOUSE
QUINCY PL
295
NSTON RD
EDMONSTON
CHEVERLLY
CHEVERLY
TAYL
T
AY
YLOR
OR ST
ANNAPOLIS ROAD
QUINCY ST
Please use caution on or
near roadways. You may
purchase food and water
at businesses along the trail.
LLOYD
Trail length one way: 1.3 mi.
450
51STT ST
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.marylandmilestones.org
NIL
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