Observing the Enemy - Pasadena MD - Battlefields on Waymarking.com

TEXT from the War of 1812 Historical Marker

Observing the Enemy-Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Bodkin Island, having an excellent view down the Bay, was an observation station long before the war. The "Bodkin Telegraphe", a flag-signalling system based on Baltimore's Federal Hill, alerted Baltimore merchants from here as their ships approached.

In 1814, British vessels combing the Chesapeake had a good view of the Bodkin, too. On August 24, a lookout on the HMS Menelaus spotted a "fine schooner," behind Bodkin Point. The Royal Marines reported they destroyed the Lion of Baltimore.

[text with flags, lower right] A signal system, such as these 1806 merchant flags, communicated between Bodkin Point and Baltimore. Americans likely used a similar system to warn of British movements during the war.

Local Militia Captain Francis Hancock, master of Hancock's Resolution Plantation, commanded a company in the 22nd Regiment, Maryland Militia. The company's duties included observation of enemy movements south of the mouth of the Patapsco.

[text with map, upper left] Bodkin Point had a clear view of North Point, as indicated in the 1819 survey chart - one of the last to show Bodkin as a separate island.

"...on the 24th inst. Lieut. Warre with two Boats burnt a Schooner in Narrows creek close to Bodkin point." - Captain Sir Peter Parker to Vice Admiral Alexander F.I. Cochrane, August 30, 1814

[text with picture, at bottom] HMS Menelaus, by Lt. William Innes Pocock. Image/National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Name of Battle: Battle at Bodkin Point Name of War: War of 1812 Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 08/30/1814 Entrance Fee: Not Listed Parking: Not Listed Date of Battle (End): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.

In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   09/17/2023 Don.Morfe visited it