Edgemere in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Unexpected Resistance
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
1. Unexpected Resistance Marker-Panel 1
British troops landing at North Point on September 12, 1814, could almost taste victory. Three weeks earlier they defeated the Americans at Bladensburg and invaded Washington. Now 4,500 men marched up North Point Road toward Baltimore, while the Royal Navy launched an assault on Fort McHenry.
They met unexpected resistance. Seven miles from the city they clashed with Americans in the Battle of North Point. The British forced an American retreat but suffered more casualties, including their leader, Major General Robert Ross. Marching forward they saw the citys formidable defenses at Hampstead Hill. When a 25-hour bombardment failed to take Fort McHenry, the navy aborted its attack, and the land troops withdrew to their ships.
To our mortification we found the troops on the main road for a retreat
-British Lieutenant George Robert Gleig
Places to explore the Battle of Baltimore:
* North Point State Park - Exhibits and programs about War of 1812
Todds Inheritance Historic Site.
* North Point State Battlefield - Site of battle between British and the American militia; General Ross mortally wounded in skirmish before main engagement.
* Todds Inheritance - Historic property, ruralsection of North Point Road suggesting period landscape.
Click or scan to see
this page online
* Battle Acre Park - Monument honoring North Point Old Defenders
* Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine - Exhibits and programs about the Star Spangled Banner and defense of Baltimore.
[Caption:]
Thomas Ruckle fought at the Battle of North Point with the 5th Maryland Regiment and later painted his recollection of the action.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
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. A significant historical date for this entry is September 12, 1814.
Location. 39° 13.222′ N, 76° 25.874′ W. Marker is in Edgemere, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is at the intersection of North Point Spur and Bay Shore Road, on the right when traveling south on North Point Spur. Located near the Black Marsh Trail parking lot in North Point State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8400 North Point Rd, Sparrows Point MD 21219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic 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: "O! say can you see " (here, next to this marker); War in the Chesapeake (here, next to this marker); Nature's Engineer
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
2. Unexpected Resistance Marker-Distant Photo
Another marker is no longer nearby. Todds Inheritance (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
3. Sign at the entrance to North Point State Park
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
