Colmar Manor in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Road to the Capital

Battle of Bladensburg

— Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail —

The Road to the Capital Marker image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

1. The Road to the Capital Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The War of 1812 raged on land and sea, touching every border of the young nation. On August 24, 1814, after two years at war, the Americans faced the British here at Bladensburg.

While the American militia were unable to hold back the British attack at the Anacostia River, Marines and sailors —including U. S. Chesapeake Flotillamen—set up a defense blocking the road outside present-day Fort Lincoln Cemetery. After hours of intense fighting, American forces were overrun and British troops marched to invade the Nation's Capital.

Erected 2014 by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list.

Location. 38° 56.045′ N, 76° 57.146′ W. Marker is in Colmar Manor, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Bladensburg Road near 38th Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brentwood MD 20722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

2. The Road to the Capital Marker

of this marker. Bladensburg Dueling Grounds (here, next to this marker); Dueling Grounds (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Dueling Grounds (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marines & Flotillamen (about 400 feet away); A Valiant Stand (about 400 feet away); The Road to the Capitol (about 400 feet away); Second Line Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Road to the Capital (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colmar Manor.

Three Marker's at Dueling Creek image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

3. Three Marker's at Dueling Creek

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

4. Landscape

In the summer of 1814, the landscape of the battlefield was very different than today. Once outside the village of Bladensburg in modern Cottage City and Colmar Manor, buildings gave way to open countryside—gently rolling terrain with farm fields, orchards and forests.Close-up of Richard Schlect's painting on marker

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

5. Map

This map shows the progression of the Battle from the Town of Bladensburg toward the Capitol via the turnpike (Modern U.S. Alt 1) and Bunker Hill Road.Close-up of Steven Stanley's map on marker

1:15 PM. August 24 1814 image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

6. 1:15 PM. August 24 1814

Thornton's British 1st Brigade crosses Tunnicliff Bridge to attack Kramer's American Battalion. The Bladensburg Road bridge over Dueling Creek was Tunnicliff's Bridge in 1814.Detail of Map on Marker

Dueling Creek and The Dueling Grounds from the Bridge image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, August 2, 2014

7. Dueling Creek and The Dueling Grounds from the Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 13, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.