Leonardtown in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Town Spared
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
In July 1813, British troops seized St. Clements and St. George Islands and established a base at Point Lookout. From there they repeatedly raided the countryside, terrorizing local residents
They ramped up their assault in the summer of 1814 with a series of raids along the Potomac side of St. Mary's County, beginning with Leonardtown. On July 19 the British approached the town by land and water. A regiment of county militia stationed in Leonardtown withdrew in advance of the enemy. Meeting no resistance, the British spared the town the devastation the inflicted at Chaptico and elsewhere.
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 month for this entry is July 1813.
Location. 38° 17.348′ N, 76° 38.099′ W. Marker is in Leonardtown, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Guyther Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leonardtown MD 20650, 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: "O! say can you see " (here, next to this marker); War in the Chesapeake (here, next
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Leonardtown (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 10, 2015
2. A Town Spared Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 10, 2015
3. A Town Spared Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 10, 2015
4. A Town Spared Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 636 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
