Annoying the Enemy - Woodbridge VA - Battlefields on Waymarking.com

Annoying the Enemy-After occupying Alexandria for five days, the British withdrew down the Potomac River in early September 1814. To “annoy or destroy” the British ships, Americans established two gun batteries on opposite shores, about six miles apart.

Troops at the White House gun battery in Virginia delayed the British squadron for several days. This gave Americans time to erect a battery at Indian Head, Maryland, across the river from here. Its commander was Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, a celebrated war hero from the Battle of Lake Erie.

Outmatched by the British at Indian Head, the exchange of fire there lasted only about an hour.

“The battery… at the Indian Head was of too small a caliber to make much impression on the Enemy as they descended the Potomak.”
- Captain Oliver Hazard Perry to Secretary of Navy William Jones, September 9, 1814

(caption)
Americans set ships ablaze and sent them to impede the British withdrawing down the Potomac

Late 19th century drawing by William Bainbridge Hoff suggests how the White House gun battery might have looked in 1814.

(sidebar)
Nearby places to explore the historic Potomac River:
• Leesylvania - Launch a boat or paddlecraft here to explore a stretch of the Potomac where the British and Americans fought in 1814.
• Fort Washington - Enjoy sweeping views of the Potomac River at this national park. Americans destroyed the original fort to keep it from enemy hands.
• Alexandria - Visit Old Town Alexandria, which survived the war because of a bargain with the British.

Name of Battle: Battle at Indian Head Name of War: War of 1812 Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 09/09/1814 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   09/18/2023 Don.Morfe visited it