Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Barney at Bladensburg

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Barney at Bladensburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 25, 2015

1. Barney at Bladensburg Marker

Inscription. Barney Circle honors U.S. Navy Commodore Joshua Barney. In August 1814, Barney, his Chesapeake Flotillamen, and a contingent of U.S. Marines guarded a bridge over the Eastern Branch (Anacostia River) on today's Bladensburg Road, NE. When it became clear that the British were advancing on Bladensburg, Barney pleaded with the secretary of the Navy to join the fight. The commodore and his men hurried to the battlefield. They arrived just in time to put up the stiffest American resistance in the battle, but were overpowered. Barney was severely wounded. Impressed by Barney's courage, British officers treated his wounds and released him.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department 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 year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 38° 52.877′ N, 76° 58.838′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 17th Street Southeast and G Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1640 G Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); September 11 Memorial Path (within shouting distance of this marker); John Philip Sousa (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anna Murray-Douglass (about 400 feet away); Mathew Brady (about 400 feet away); The Mathew Brady Memorial (about 400 feet away); September 11 Healing Poles (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.

More about this marker.
Photo captions:
Out of retirement
Commodore Barney was retired from the Navy when war broke out. "To content himself with following the plough...while the blast of war was blowing in his ears, would have been...altogether contrary to his nature," wrote his daughter-in-law Mary.

Final stand at Bladensburg. Oil by Charles Waterhouse, U.S. Marine Corps Collection.

"They gave us the only fighting we have had."
British Rear Admiral George Cockburn

In the summer of 1814 the United States had been at war with Great Britain for two years. Battlefronts had erupted from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. On August 24, following their victory over the

Wide view of Barney at Bladensburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 25, 2015

2. Wide view of Barney at Bladensburg Marker

Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland, British troops marched on Washington with devastating results.

The Star-Spangled Banner Historic Trail reveals sites of the War of 1812 in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. Visit ChesapeakeExplorerApp.com or download the Chesapeake Explorer App.

Joshua Barney image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 7, 2015

3. Joshua Barney

Rembrandt Peale's 1817 portrait of Commodore BarneyClose-up of image on marker

Final Stand at Bladensburg image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 7, 2015

4. Final Stand at Bladensburg

Colonel Charles Waterhouse's painting of Barney's Marine Battalion manning 12 pound guns at Bladensburg.Close-up of image on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 759 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.