Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cat and Mouse

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

1. Cat and Mouse Marker

Inscription. American and British forces prepared for combat. American troops gathered at nearby Woodyard Plantation. They then marched northwest to an encampment at Long Old Fields.

The British camped in what is now Andrews Air Force Base. Before the Americans fell back to Washington on August 23, 1814, barely two miles separated the enemy camps. The next day the armies clashed at Bladensburg.

“Arrived at the Woodyard…about the time [British Major General] Ross arrived at Nottingham…Had we moved a day sooner, or…faster…we might have struck a fine blow—capturing or killing the whole of Ross’s party.” – American Colonel Allen McClane, August 22, 1814

Erected 2014.

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° 48.024′ N, 76° 49.535′ W. Marker is in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Woodyard Road. Marker is in Melwood Pond Community Park on Woodyard Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies. Restless Time (here, next to this marker); “Melwood Park” (approx. 0.9 miles away); His Lordship’s Kindness (approx. 1.8 miles away); Stables/Tack House (approx. 1.8 miles away); Slaves’ Infirmary [on His Lordship’s Kindness] (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mount Airy (approx. 2.4 miles away); U.S. Air Force Special Air Missions (approx. 2.9 miles away); Thomas Sim Lee (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Marlboro.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

2. Cat and Mouse Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

3. Cat and Mouse Marker

beside the 'Restless Time' marker

Mellwood Pond Communty Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

4. Mellwood Pond Communty Park

Wilkinson's Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

5. Wilkinson's Map

Opposing camps were surprisingly close in August 1814. 1814 British Invasion Route by American Major Gen. James Wilkinson (1816)Close-up of map on marker

Unexpected Guests image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John O. Brostrup;, March 27, 1936

6. Unexpected Guests

Melwood House, circa 1700s, was en route to where the British camped on August 23. Local lore claims that British officers, including Major General Robert Ross, invited themselves to dinner with Melwood’s owner, widow Mary Carroll Digges. HABS Photo reproduced on marker

Melwood House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

7. Melwood House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.