St. Leonard Creek is home to the largest naval engagement in Maryland’s history with the Battle of St. Leonard Creek during the summer of 1814. Joshua Barney and his flotilla slowed the advance of British forces set on invading Washington.

What’s even cooler? Your launching point is home to the Fort Hill Battery Site. This is where the elements of the 36th U.S. Infantry and U.S. Marines established an encampment to protect the U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla’s left flank.

During the summer of 1814, the British navy tried to flush out and destroy Commodore Joshua Barney’s Chesapeake Flotilla—a rag-tag assembly of armed boats and barges.

British warships blockaded the mouth of the Patuxent River after the Chesapeake Flotilla and Royal Navy skirmished off Cedar Point on June 1, 1814. The U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla escaped up the Patuxent following the skirmish and Barney sought safety in St. Leonard Creek, four miles upriver.

The British pursued, and the largest naval engagement in Maryland waters – as well as some of the fiercest fighting of the war – occurred where St. Leonard Creek meets the Patuxent River.

The flotilla prevailed in a series of skirmishes June 8–10, known as the First Battle of St. Leonard Creek.

Your launching point is home to the Fort Hill Battery Site.  This is where the elements of the 36th U.S. Infantry and U.S. Marines established an encampment to protect the U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla’s left flank.