Queenstown in Queen Anne's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Surprise at Queenstown
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Nate Davidson, August 2, 2013
1. Surprise at Queenstown Marker
Inscription.
Surprise at Queenstown. Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. The British set out from Kent Island to attack Queenstown on August 13, 1813. The land and water contingents numbered 300 troops each. Intending to surprise the Queen Anne's County militia, they mistakenly fired, warning the Americans. British barges missed their intended landing point at Bowlingly, arriving at Blakeford instead. These errors enabled the militia to escape to Centreville. The British retaliated by ransacking Bowlingly, a prominent home in Queenstown. The skirmish that foiled the surprise became known as the Battle of Slippery Hill. British and Americans exchanged fire on Queenstown Road. An American militiaman shot the horse out from under British commanding officer Sir Sydney Beckwith, escalating the confusion among the British ranks.
The British set out from Kent Island to attack Queenstown on August 13, 1813. The land and water contingents numbered 300 troops each. Intending to surprise the Queen Anne's County militia, they mistakenly fired, warning the Americans. British barges missed their intended landing point at Bowlingly, arriving at Blakeford instead. These errors enabled the militia to escape to Centreville. The British retaliated by ransacking Bowlingly, a prominent home in Queenstown. The skirmish that foiled the surprise became known as the Battle of Slippery Hill. British and Americans exchanged fire on Queenstown Road. An American militiaman shot the horse out from under British commanding officer Sir Sydney Beckwith, escalating the confusion among the British ranks.
Erected by National Park Serivce, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.
Location. 38° 59.433′ N, 76° 9.458′ W. Marker is in Queenstown, Maryland, in Queen Anne's County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Del Rhodes Avenue on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Queenstown MD 21658, 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. War in the Chesapeake (here, next to this marker); Colonial Courthouse
More about this marker. Three-sided marker, with "Oh Say Can You See" and "War on the Chesapeake"
Photographed By Nate Davidson, August 2, 2013
2. Map & Artist's Rendering
"This was ... a project devised for the surprise of some militia encamped at Queen's Town ..." - British Captain Frederick Robertson.
When American gunfire at Slippery Hill caused panic among the invaders, a British officer ordered the band of fife and drummers to help restore order.
Photographed By Nate Davidson, August 2, 2013
3. Other Nearby War of 1812 Locations
Photographed By Nate Davidson, August 2, 2013
4. Surprise at Queenstown
In the background you can see the old Queenstown Courthouse c. 1708.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2013, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 757 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2013, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
