June 1814 — War Visits the Patuxent

June 1814 — War Visits the Patuxent. . Instead of this peaceful scene in front of you, imagine the air. hazy with smoke brightened by the flare of gunfire and rockets. Hear booming cannons, screaming rockets, yelling and shouting. Right here at the mouth of St. Leonard Creek is' where the Americans battled the mightier British Navy in June 1814. , After encountering superior British forces near the mouth of the Patuxent in the Battle of Cedar Point Commodore Barney and his Chesapeake Flotilla escaped up river to the safety of St. Leonard Creek. For three days, starting June 8th, the Americans successfully held the British at bay despite wave after wave of bombardment. A British ship, the HMS St. Lawrence, was hit so badly it was temporarily abandoned on the shore at this point. , In the following weeks, while Barney's Flotilla stayed in St. Leonard Creek, the British waged a campaign of destruction against both shores of the Patuxent, confiscating supplies, demanding information and burning many houses and barns, including John Stuart Skinners' barn here on what is now Park property. , Finally on Jun 26th the British again attacked the Chesapeake Flotilla, trying to draw it out of its hiding place. This 2nd battle ended in a draw, with the Americans slipping out of the creek and sailing up the Patuxent River.