Elkton in Cecil County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Spirited Rebuff

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

Spirited Rebuff Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 16, 2015

1. Spirited Rebuff Marker

Inscription. The British took their terror campaign to the Elk River in April 1813. Their target—Elkton—was protected by several forts.

After capturing a gun battery at Frenchtown, British raiders destroyed its storehouses, a fishery, and military supplies. However, spirited firing from forts Defiance and Frederick located near here halted the enemy’s advance.

Clever Defense
A strong chain stretched across the river to deter enemy vessels. The far end was firmly fastened to a post on the opposite shore. A windlass at Fort Frederick could raise the chain when needed to block passage.

“On the 29th day of April, 1813…a considerable British force distributed into thirteen barges, commenced a hostile attack on a landing called Frenchtown…”
—Annapolis Maryland Republican, November 20, 1813.

(Inscription above the image in the center)
This 1806 watercolor by Benjamin Latrobe depicts Frenchtown, looking up the Elk River from the wharf where Americans established a gun battery in 1813.

(Inscription above the image on the right)
A conjectural view of the forts and defensive chain that protected Elkton Image / (C) Gerry Embleton

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series.

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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 date for this entry is April 29, 1813.

Location. 39° 34.896′ N, 75° 51.114′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is in Elkton, Maryland, in Cecil County. Marker is on River Bend Parkway. The marker is located in Elk River Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elkton MD 21921, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Stone House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Native Americans in the 1600's (approx. 1.2 miles away); Revolutionary War (approx. 1.2 miles away); Strong Defense (approx. 1.2 miles away); Henry Deibert and E. Deibert Bros. Barge Building (approx. 1.2 miles away); Carriage Steps (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hollingsworth House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Valentine Hollingsworth (1632-1710) (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkton.

More about this marker. I have reported today, March 5, 2020, that this marker is damaged. The damage is confined to the "Clever Defense" paragraph.

Spirited Rebuff Marker at boat dock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 16, 2015

2. Spirited Rebuff Marker at boat dock

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 469 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on March 5, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.