Rock Hall in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Clever Ruse
Star-Spangled Banner National Historical Trail
— War of 1812 —
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
1. Clever Ruse Marker
Inscription.
Clever Ruse. Star-Spangled Banner National Historical Trail. Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed and his Maryland militia allegedly tried to fool British Troops at anchor off the Chester River. He directed his small force of cavalry to ferry back and forth between mainland and Eastern Neck Island, hoping British lookouts would think the American force was larger than it actually was.
Menacing Raids , Sir Peter Parker landed on the Eastern Shore on August 28, 1814, to lead a series of raids. The British destroyed property and routed some cavalry who were “smashingly dressed in Blue and long…feathers in their hats.”
“Running down the Eastern shore of Maryland on (August) 27…I was surprised to observe the Enemy’s Regular Troops and Militia in Motion along the whole coast.” , British Captain Sir Peter Parker to Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, August 29, 1814.
(Inscription below the portrait in the lower center) , Philip Reed Image/Cincinnati Museum of Art.
(Inscription beside the image in the lower right) , Trooper Light Cavalry, Maryland Volunteer Militia, 1814 by Herbert Knotal. Image/Courtesy Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed and his Maryland militia allegedly tried to fool British Troops at anchor off the Chester River. He directed his small force of cavalry to ferry back and forth between mainland and Eastern Neck Island, hoping British lookouts would think the American force was larger than it actually was.
Menacing Raids Sir Peter Parker landed on the Eastern Shore on August 28, 1814, to lead a series of raids. The British destroyed property and routed some cavalry who were “smashingly dressed in Blue and long…feathers in their hats.”
“Running down the Eastern shore of Maryland on (August) 27…I was surprised to observe the Enemy’s Regular Troops and Militia in Motion along the whole coast.” British Captain Sir Peter Parker to Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, August 29, 1814.
(Inscription below the portrait in the lower center) Philip Reed Image/Cincinnati Museum of Art.
(Inscription beside the image in the lower right) Trooper Light Cavalry, Maryland Volunteer Militia, 1814 by Herbert Knotal. Image/Courtesy Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library
Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:
Location. 39° 3.228′ N, 76° 13.332′ W. Marker is in Rock Hall, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Eastern Neck Road. The marker is located in the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rock Hall MD 21661, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Maryland Map by Mathew Carey, 1814-Image/Maryland State Archives. (Inscription below the map) Both sides tried to confuse their enemy on the Middle Bay. The British diverted attention from Western Shore targets; the Americans feigned the size of their defense.
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
3. Clever Ruse Marker on the shore of the Chester River
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
4. Sign near the pull off for the Clever Ruse Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
5. Tundra Swan Range near the Clever Ruse Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
6. Boardwalk near the Clever Ruse Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
7. Tundra Swan in the Chester River
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
