Colmar Manor in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dueling Grounds
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
1. Dueling Grounds Marker
On this site, now part of Anacostia River Park, more than 50 duels were fought during the first half of the 19th century. Here, on what became known as "the dark and bloody grounds," gentlemen of Washington settled their political and personal differences. One of the most famous disputes was that between commodores Stephen Decatur and James Barron which was settled here on March 22, 1820. Commodore Decatur, who had gained fame as the conqueror of the Barbary pirates, was fatally wounded by his antagonist. Although Congress passed an anti-dueling law in 1839, duels continued here until just before the Civil War.
Erected 1955 by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1892.
Location. 38° 56.043′ N, 76° 57.144′ W. Marker is in Colmar Manor, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It is at the intersection of Bladensburg Road (Maryland Route 450) and 38th Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Bladensburg Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Second Line Falls (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Dueling Grounds. The marker sits within the Historic Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Among others to lose their lives at the Dueling Grounds, General Armistead Mason and Daniel Key, the son of Francis Scott Key. The site of the marker sits very close to the border with the District of Columbia, where dueling was already illegal. DC residents challenging one another to a duel would cross over the border here to face each other.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 18, 2010
2. Dueling Grounds Marker
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
3. Dueling Grounds Today
Along a tributary of the Anacostia River, now part of Anacostia River Park, is the location of the "dark and bloody grounds", just north of Fort Lincoln Cemetery at Bladensburg Road (MD 450) and 38th Avenue.
4. Commodore Stephen Decatur
Commodore Stephen Decatur rose to fame as a hero of the Barbary Wars. Decatur's naval campaigns in the Mediterranean both before and after the War of 1812 led to the end of a long-standing international practice of paying tribute to the pirate states of Barbary. Library of Congress photo, LC-DIG-npcc-19686.
5. Commodore James Barron
Commodore James Barron felt humiliated after his court martial for allowing the British to attack and board the U.S.S. Chesapeake, a ship he commanded. Barron challenged Commodore Stephen Decatur, who had served on the court, to a duel to uphold his honor. Wikipedia photo.
6. General A. Galletin Lawrence and Baron Kusserow Duel in 1868 at Bladensburg
The source for this image of the last duel at Bladensburg is Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Volume 3 ; Mrs. Frank Leslie, Ellery Sedgwick; Frank Leslie Publishing House, 1877; p. 267. This stylised illustration of the last recorded duel at the Bladensburg Dueling Grounds was between General A. Galletin Lawrence and Baron Kusserow in 1868.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,302 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 17, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 29, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 6. submitted on February 2, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
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