Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
American Victory
Kent County braced for the return of the British in August 1814. Enemy raiders had destroyed nearby Georgetown the previous year while terrorizing Maryland's Eastern Shore. Now they were back in an attempt to divert attention from their main operation against Baltimore. They landed on August 30, and marched inland to encounter the American militia at the Isaac Caulk farm.
The Americans stood their ground during the night attack. Heavy British casualties included a popular young officer, Captain Sir Peter Parker. The victory in the Battle of Caulk's Field boosted American morale following the enemy's invasion of Washington, D. C.
"I feel justified in the assertion, that the gallantry of the officers and men on this occasion could not be excelled by any troops." -- American Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed, commander of the militia at Caulk's Field, to Brigadier General Benjamin Chambers, August 1814
Erected 2012 by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1814.
Location. 39° 12.629′ N, 76° 3.92′ W. Marker is in Chestertown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on North Cross Street. The marker is in the parking lot of the Chestertown Chamber of Commerce Visitors' Center in Chestertown. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 North Cross Street, Chestertown MD 21620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Beck Nicholson (here, next to this marker); War Along the Chesapeake (a few steps from this marker); Chestertown, First Population Center of the United States (a few steps from this marker); Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); George Vickers (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., Inc. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History Tour of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. (about 300 feet away); Tercentenary Celebration (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chestertown.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Elegiac Stanzas on the death of Sir Peter Parker, Baronette. Internet Archive website entry:
by George Gordon, Lord Byron, Peter Parker's cousin. (Submitted on December 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.