Near Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Explosive Scene
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Photographed By Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
1. Explosive Scene Marker
Inscription.
Explosive Scene. Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Imagine this scene on August 22, 1814, when explosions erupted on the Patuxent! The U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla scuttled their own vessels when British pursuers approached. With the flotilla destroyed, the British landed about 500 troops at Mount Calvert. From here they marched to Upper Marlboro to join the main British invasion force.
“I instantly sent orders for our Marines and Naval Forces at Pig Point to be forthwith moved to Mount Calvert and…with the utmost expedition to join the Army, which I also most readily agreed to accompany.” , – British Rear Adm. George Cockburn to Vice Adm. Alexander F.I. Cochrane, August 27, 1814
On to Washington , Anchored off Mount Calvert, British Rear Admiral Cockburn reported “the complete destruction of this Flotilla of the Enemy which has lately occupied So much of our attention.” Cockburn set out to join the assault on Washington, D.C. At the same time, Joshua Barney with 400 American flotillamen rushed to help defend the capital.
Imagine this scene on August 22, 1814, when explosions erupted on the Patuxent! The U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla scuttled their own vessels when British pursuers approached. With the flotilla destroyed, the British landed about 500 troops at Mount Calvert. From here they marched to Upper Marlboro to join the main British invasion force.
“I instantly sent orders for our Marines and Naval Forces at Pig Point to be forthwith moved to Mount Calvert and…with the utmost expedition to join the Army, which I also most readily agreed to accompany.” – British Rear Adm. George Cockburn to Vice Adm. Alexander F.I. Cochrane, August 27, 1814
On to Washington
Anchored off Mount Calvert, British Rear Admiral Cockburn reported “the complete destruction of this Flotilla of the Enemy which has lately occupied So much of our attention.” Cockburn set out to join the assault on Washington, D.C. At the same time, Joshua Barney with 400 American flotillamen rushed to help defend the capital.
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° 47.075′ N, 76° 42.909′ W. Marker
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is near Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Mount Calvert Road, 0.2 miles east of McClure Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is within the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, about 2.5 miles east of Croom Road (MD 382). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16801 Mount Calvert Road, Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Looking toward the Mount Calvert Plantation House.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 15, 2013
6. Explosive Scene Marker
Overlooking the Patuxent River at Pig Point.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 15, 2013
7. The Destruction of Barney's Flotilla
Close-up of Gerry Embleton painting on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 15, 2013
8. C. W. Cup
This grog cup was salvaged from an underwater excavation of a flotilla vessel. "C.W." may refer to Caesar Wentworth, ship's cook on the Scorpion.
Close-up of photo on marker
State Highway Administration
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2012, by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area of Hyattsville, Maryland. This page has been viewed 841 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on November 26, 2012, by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area of Hyattsville, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • F. Robby was the editor who published this page.
