Harbor East in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
On to Yorktown
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historical Trail
On February 29, 1781 George Washington ordered the Marquis de Lafayette with 1,200 men from newly-established Light Infantry Corps to Virginia to counter Benedict Arnold's raids around Richmond. Lafayette arrived at the Head of Elk on March 3, and embarked his Force at Plum Point on March 8 for Annapolis. Sailing ahead with a small party on March 10, Lafayette reached Yorktown four days later. Here he was to cooperate with American forces under Baron von Steuben and a French Naval Force under the Chevalier de Touches sent from Rhode Island and some 1,100 French soldiers with the express purpose of capturing Arnold. Following an indecisive naval engagement with British Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot on March 16, the "First Battle of the Capes" the French squadron returned to Newport.
Just as Lafayette was returning north and stopping at Mount Vernon along the way, a British fleet sailed into Chesapeake Bay on March 20. It carried Major-General William Phillips and more than 3,000 regular British troops. Upon arrival at Head of Elk on April 8, Lafayette received Washington's dispatch of April 6 instructing him to reverse course and to join his forces with those of Major-General Nathanael Greene in North Carolina. By the time Lafayette reached John Rodgers Tavern on the Susquehanna on April 12, however, he received new orders from Washington to remain in Virginia to fight Phillips' forces. Having crossed the Susquehanna on April 15 where he defused a mutiny of his fatigued force, Lafayette reached Baltimore on April 16, ahead o his troops which were encamped about 6 miles north of town near Rosedale.
Entering the town alone he was warmly greeted with a grand banquet and ball in his Honor at the Assembly room on Gay and Market (Baltimore) Streets. During the Ball one of the ladies inquired why Lafayette appeared sad? He replied "I cannot enjoy the gayety of the scene, while so many of the poor soldiers are in want of clothes."" Continental quartermaster David Poe Sr. & Elizabeth Cairnes Poe (grandparents of Edgar Allen Poe) spearheaded the effort to turn the Assembly Room into a seamstress factory. Lafayette secured a line of credit from the merchants of Baltimore on April 19, tragedy struck at Elkridge Landing when one of the barges overturned in the Patapsco River drowning some men. After camping in Elkridge, Bladensburg, and Georgetown, Lafayette finally arrived with his force in Richmond on April 29, 1781.
Lafayette never forgot the effort from Baltimore. During his Grand Tour of America 1824-25 he met with Elizabeth Poe and visited the grave of her husband. He remembered: "Mr. David Poe who resided here in Baltimore when I was here, and of his own very limited
Erected 2016 by Baltimore National Heritage Area Authority; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; W3R US Washington Rachambeau National Historic Trail Association; The Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Washington-Rochambeau Route series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.
Location. 39° 17.048′ N, 76° 36.143′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Harbor East. Marker is at the intersection of President Street and Fleet Street, on the right when traveling south on President Street. The marker stands on the grounds of President Street Station Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Fleet St, Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baltimore Riot Trail (here, next to this marker); President Street Station (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named President Street Station (a few steps from this marker); Baltimore Public Works Museum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Inner Harbor Water Wheel (about 400 feet away); The National Katyń Memorial (about 400 feet away); Discover Little Italy: A Taste of the Past (about 400 feet away); The Katyń Massacre, 1940 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 100 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.