Worton in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Taking Command

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

Taking Command Marker image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

1. Taking Command Marker

Inscription. Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed, buried here in 1829, excelled among Maryland militia officers. Reed countered several of the British hit-and-run raids along the Eastern Shore. His men fended off the enemy’s attack at Worton Creek and claimed victory at Caulk’s Field. Reed served as a U.S. senator (1806-1813) and was twice elected to Congress following the war.

“The enemy having made every effort in his power…manifested no disposition to follow us up, but retreated about the time our ammunition was exhausted.”
–Lt. Colonel Philip A. Reed, September 3, 1814.

Timely Victory
Reed is best known for commanding the Maryland militia that withstood the British assault at Caulk’s Field August 31, 1814. The victory boosted American morale following the British attack on Washington a few days earlier. (Image Cincinnati Museum of Art)

(Inscription under the sketch on the left)
This British sketch depicting the Battle of Caulk’s Field shows American positions in green and British positions in red and blue. Image: Courtesy National Archives of the United Kingdom, London.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812

Taking Command Marker with Col. Philip Reed's grave marker in the backgroung image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

2. Taking Command Marker with Col. Philip Reed's grave marker in the backgroung

. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list.

Location. 39° 17.448′ N, 76° 5.532′ W. Marker is in Worton, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Lambs Meadow Road. The marker is located on the grounds of Christ Church I.U. and Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Worton MD 21678, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Christ Episcopal IU Church and Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); African American Schoolhouse (approx. 2.9 miles away); Maryland’s First Women Voters (approx. 3.6 miles away); Colonel Isaac Perkins (approx. 3.7 miles away); American Mettle (approx. 4.2 miles away); Senator George Vickers (approx. 5 miles away); George Washington (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named George Washington (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Worton.

Colonel Philip Reed's grave marker image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

3. Colonel Philip Reed's grave marker

Colonel Phillip Reed's grave marker with Christ Church in the background image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

4. Colonel Phillip Reed's grave marker with Christ Church in the background

Christ Church I.U. image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

5. Christ Church I.U.

Signs at the entrance to the Church and Cemetery image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

6. Signs at the entrance to the Church and Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.