British Advance Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail - Bladensburg MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 56.458 W 076° 56.466
18S E 331770 N 4312017
On August 24, 1814, the British established an artillery position nearby and fired cannon and rockets at American defenders. Local tradition claims that walls of the house were scarred by cannonballs, but no evidence exists.
Waymark Code: WM16MBM
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 08/26/2022
Views: 0
British Advance-Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail-War 1812
This house from the days when Bladensburg was a busy port town where George Washington stopped as he traveled the Old Post Road. On August 24, 1814, the British established an artillery position nearby and fired cannon and rockets at American defenders. Local tradition claims that walls of the house were scarred by cannonballs, but no evidence exists.
Rockets Flying
Three weeks before Francis Scott Key immortalized the "rockets red glare" over Fort McHenry in the "Star Spangled Banner," British rockets screamed over the battlefield here. Congreve rockets reached targets a mile or more away. British artillery also included one 6 pounder and two 3 pounders -- named for the weight of their cannonballs.
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Upshur Street
Across from the Indian Queen Tavern at 4302 Baltimore Avenue
Bladensburg, MD United States
20710
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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