Benedict in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

British Have Landed

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Photographed By Shane Oliver, March 10, 2022

1. British Have Landed Marker

Inscription. A forest of masts topped the waters off Benedict August 19-30, 1814. The British anchored ships here during their invasion of Washington, D.C. On August 20, about three miles away at Aquasco Mills, Secretary of State James Monroe watched with alarm as British sailors rowed field cannons, provisions, and more than 4,000 troops ashore.

Abandoned
Townspeople deserted Benedict before the British landed. Enemy raiders had visited twice before. On June 15, 160 British and 30 Colonial Marines - former slaves - plundered the town. On June 21, local militia drove back a raiding party. As the British fleet moved upriver, few residents stayed to see where it would land.

”[Benedict] is…only 44 or 45 miles from Washington and there is a high road…which tho’ hilly is good…I therefore…firmly believe that within forty eight Hours after the Arrival in the Patuxent…the City of Washington might be possessed without Difficulty…”
- British Rear Adm. George Cockburn to Vice Adm. Alexander F.I. Cochrane, July 17, 1814

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

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series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 19, 1814.

Location. 38° 30.61′ N, 76° 40.708′ W. Marker is in Benedict, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker is on Benedict Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Potomac Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at a small parking lot, overlooking the Patuxent River and the Benedict waterfront. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7320 Benedict Avenue, Benedict MD 20612, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The British are Coming (within shouting distance of this marker); Benedict (approx. 0.4 miles away); Camp Stanton (approx. 0.4 miles away); Solid Ground (approx. 0.8 miles away); British Vengeance (approx. 0.8 miles away); On This Farm (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Stanton (approx. 0.8 miles away); Enemy Camp (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benedict.

Additional keywords. British Have Landed

Photographed By Shane Oliver, March 10, 2022

2. British Have Landed Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.