Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Against the Odds

Star-Spangled Banner National Trail

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2013

1. Against the Odds Marker

Inscription. Both a squadron of the British navy and severe weather challenged the famed Chesapeake Flotilla off Cedar Point on June 1, 1814. The modest fleet of armed barges was assembled by Joshua Barney to harass British ships. With an inadequate professional navy in the War of 1812, Barney's flotilla was the best hope for disrupting British operations on the Bay. After advancing on the superior British squadron, the flotilla escaped into the Patuxent and became trapped by enemy ships.

"...with a fresh wind, Squally & Rain...we doubled round cedar point...my Barges rowed down upon [the schooners] and gave them a number of shot at long distance. We then gave up the chase." -- Commodore Joshua Barney to Secretary of Navy William Jones, June 3, 1814.

Hazardous Duty

Barney's 500 flotillamen were a hardy -- perhaps foolhardy -- lot. They rowed into battle fully exposed to enemy fire and the elements. Cramped side-by-side, they rowed feverishly, muscles aching from maneuvering 50- and 75-foot barges,and jolted from guns fired onboard. Drenching rains and churning waters assaulted them off Cedar Point. Amazingly there were no casualties in the skirmish.

Erected 2012 by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1814.

Location. 38° 16.603′ N, 76° 27.794′ W. Marker is in Lexington Park, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It can be reached from Three Notch Road (Maryland Route 235) just north of Buse Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of the Patuxent Naval Air Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park MD 20653, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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: Naval Air Station Patuxent River (a few steps from this marker); Medals of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar Point Lighthouse Cupola (1896) (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey Test Aircraft No. 8 ("Eight-ball") (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grumman A-6 Intruder (about 300 feet away); Beech T-34B Mentor (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington Park.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2013

2. Against the Odds Marker