Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

American Mettle

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

American Mettle Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

1. American Mettle Marker

Inscription. When four British barges entered Worton Creek in July 1814, local militia sprang into action. They ambushed the barges and forced them out of the creek. The Americans claimed they killed about 15 of the 20 enemy soldiers without losing any of their own in the skirmish.

“A small body of our men reached Worton Creek…in time...to save much devastation in that quarter, they attacked the advanced barge of four…and forced the whole of them to leave the creek.”
Baltimore Federal Gazette, July 15, 1814.

Second Invasion
This was the enemy’s second intrusion on Worton Creek. In April 1813, during a surge of British attacks on the Eastern Shore, a sizable force anchored off Worton Creek and conducted raids here and at nearby Plum Point, Still Pond, and Howell Point.

(Inscription next to the image on the left)
The barges in Worton Creek came from Loire, which a month earlier engaged the Chesapeake Flotilla in the Patuxent. British Loire by Irwin John Bevan-image Mariners Museum Newport News, VA.

(Inscription next to the image on the right)
In raids along the Eastern seaboard and the Chesapeake Bay, the British used barges to maneuver into coastal towns. Sneak Attack on Essex Shipping by Kipp Solwedell.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department

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of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1813.

Location. 39° 16.482′ N, 76° 10.098′ W. Marker is in Chestertown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Burditt Road. The marker is affixed to the outside wall of the Marine and Grocery Store at Worton Creek Marina. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chestertown MD 21620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. African American Schoolhouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bass Propagation Lake (approx. 3 miles away); Taking Command (approx. 4.2 miles away); Christ Episcopal IU Church and Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Caulk’s Field Monument (approx. 5 miles away); Rude Awakening (approx. 5.1 miles away); Battle of Caulk’s Field (approx. 5.1 miles away); Tolchester Beach Amusement Park (approx. 5.7 miles away).

American Mettle Marker affixed to the wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

2. American Mettle Marker affixed to the wall

American Mettle Marker next to Worton Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

3. American Mettle Marker next to Worton Creek

American Mettle Marker at Worton Creek Marina image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

4. American Mettle Marker at Worton Creek Marina

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.