Hughesville in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Solid Ground
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
— War of 1812 —
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 11, 2015
1. Solid Ground Marker
Inscription.
Solid Ground. Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. More than 4,000 British troops camped here August 20, 1814, awaiting orders. After sailing from Bermuda in cramped quarters, they appreciated being on firm ground. One noted they were “made happy by the very feeling of the green sod under them.” They perched cannon on the hills and posted pickets to ward of an American attack, but none came.
“This…army was posted upon a height which rises at the distance of two miles from the river…the infantry bivouacked…upon the slope of the hill…in order to prevent their disposition from being seen by the enemy…” , British Lieutenant George Robert Gleig.
On the Move , With orders to march, a few officers rode horses while the troops set off on foot with heavy packs. Some hauled field guns; others carried rockets on their backs. After weeks aboard ships they were in no condition to march. Many of them succumbed to heat exhaustion within the first six miles.
More than 4,000 British troops camped here August 20, 1814, awaiting orders. After sailing from Bermuda in cramped quarters, they appreciated being on firm ground. One noted they were “made happy by the very feeling of the green sod under them.”
They perched cannon on the hills and posted pickets to ward of an American attack, but none came.
“This…army was posted upon a height which rises at the distance of two miles from the river…the infantry bivouacked…upon the slope of the hill…in order to prevent their disposition from being seen by the enemy…” British Lieutenant George Robert Gleig.
On the Move With orders to march, a few officers rode horses while the troops set off on foot with heavy packs. Some hauled field guns; others carried rockets on their backs. After weeks aboard ships they were in no condition to march. Many of them succumbed to heat exhaustion within the first six miles.
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. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 38° 30.923′ N, 76°
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41.469′ W. Marker is in Hughesville, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker is on Prince Frederick Road (SR 231). The marker is on a pull off on the grounds of the Indian Creek Natural Resource Management. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hughesville MD 20637, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camp Stanton (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); On This Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Enemy Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Stanton (approx. 0.6 miles away); Benedict (approx. 0.6 miles away); British Have Landed (approx. 0.8 miles away); The British are Coming (approx. 0.8 miles away); War of 1812 (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hughesville.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 11, 2015
2. Solid Ground Marker overlooking the fields
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 11, 2015
3. Solid Ground Marker not far from Prince Frederick Road
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
