Cottage City in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
President's Surprise
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
On August 24, 1814, American and British forces battled at Bladensburg for three hours. President Madison was on-site, confident his troops would block the British advance on Washington. At the second defensive line he watched the enemy gain the field. Hurrying to Washington, he sent word ahead to the first lady to save what she could and flee. That night, the British occupied and later burned the President's House.
In Flight
The president and members of his cabinet were at the battle. Madison got ahead of American troops until an aide warned him the enemy was very close. Madison's attorney general, secretary of state, and secretaries of war and navy were dubbed the "flying cabinet" as they hastily retreated.
[Caption:]
First Lady Dolley Madison salvaged Gilbert's Stuart's portrait of George Washington. It hangs in the White House today.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics • War of 1812. In addition,
this page online
Location. 38° 56.319′ N, 76° 57.107′ W. Marker is in Cottage City, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It is at the intersection of 40th Avenue and Cottage Terrace, on the right when traveling south on 40th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3817 40th Ave, Brentwood MD 20722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Road to the Capital (here, next to this marker); The Georgetown Road (here, next to this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town of Brentwood (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Road to the Capital (approx. Ό mile away); Famous Footsteps (approx. Ό mile away); Second Line Falls (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named The Road to the Capital (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cottage City.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 25, 2023
2. The cluster of markers near the Cottage City Town Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
