Colmar Manor in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Bladensburg
This is the site of the Battle of Bladensburg which took place in the War of 1812. Commodore Joshua Barney and his 500 Marines were greatly outnumbered by the British Expeditionary Force of 4,500 trained regulars. The battle raged for four hours but eventually the overpowering numerical odds won out for the British who went on to burn the Capitol and White House. On this location, Commodore Barney was wounded and taken prisoner.
This memorial is in honor of Commodore Joshua Barney who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of his country and to his detachment of Marines for their distinguished display of valor and gallantry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 38° 55.689′ N, 76° 57.24′ W. Marker is in Colmar Manor, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Bladensburg Road (Maryland Route 450) 0.2 miles 38th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located within Fort Lincoln Cemetery, behind the mauseleum. 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 of this marker. Barney Monument (here, next to this marker); Fort Lincoln Mausoleum (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln Oak (about 300 feet away, measured
this page online
Regarding Battle of Bladensburg. Commodore Barney commanded the Chespeake Bay Flotilla, which defended the Cheseapeake Bay and central Maryland from attack by the British in the War of 1812. In 1814, as the British pushed up the Patuxent River, Barney scuttled the flotilla and moved his 500 Marines to Bladensburg to help the U.S. Army defend the District of Columbia.
Also see . . . The Man Who Captured Washington - General Robert Ross. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Christopher T. George of Baltimore, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Battle of Bladensburg
Fought on the afternoon of August 24, 1814 between an American Army of some 6,200 men, comprising mostly
Photographed By F. Robby, January 28, 2008
2. Battle of Bladensburg Marker
This is a photo of the marker prior to its restoration.
The men of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla had five naval guns in the road. Key British officers were wounded during the advance as a result of the cannonballs and/or canister fired by Barney's battery. The British stated that the Sailors and U.S. Marines gave them the "best fighting" they had that day. Barney and his men manned their guns until overrun by the British. The Commodore himself was severely wounded with a musket ball in his thigh that was never removed during his lifetime and that is sometimes said to have contributed to his death in Pittsburgh in 1818, possibly due to lead poisoning. (The musketball is now in the museum of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C.)
2. The Bladensburg Marker
Joshua Barney was the Commodore in charge of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla. Under his command at Bladensburg were roughly 400 sailors. They were in charge of two 18-pound guns. Those not serving the guns were used as infantry. To the right of Barneys's men were 117 US Marines, including members of the Marine Band, under the command of Capt. Samuel Miller. They had three 12-pound guns. This is why the monument lists Barney's force being 500 men even though the Marines were not directly under command they had cooperated before and Barney did have the higher rank.
Editor's Note: While the actual number of Sailors and Marines appears in dispute, Barney's force was about 500 combined, and he was in command. Thank you for clarifying the number.
— Submitted October 6, 2010.
Photographed By Christopher T. George
4. Commodore Joshua Barney by Rembrandt Peale (1819)
The City of Baltimore commissioned Peale to paint the "defenders" of the city during the War of 1812 and this oil on canvas rendering of Barney is one of those paintings. The original is 38 9/64 x 31 3/32 inches. The following is the Maryland Historical Society’s description of their portrait: half-length portrait; short tousled hair; military uniform, brown coat with gold buttons; right hand holds sword; gray background.
Photographed By F. Robby, January 28, 2008
5. View of the Cemetery
View of Fort Lincoln Cemetery from the Battle of Bladensburg marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 9,103 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on November 7, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 29, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on October 12, 2010, by Christopher T. George of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on February 10, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
