The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-10-06
the s2nd of May, just after the burning of
these places, is no doubt authentic:


up at Fredel icktown and one small cannon
mounted, and 20 or so militia, under Col.
VeaZy, were collected for the defense of
the place, on the morning of the 9th inst,
when the British, 800 or 600 strong, appear
ed, in Is barges, to attack the place. Two
black men were landed, who informed Col.
Weary that Admiral Cockburn had directed
them to say " that if the militia would not
fire upon the boats, he would only burn the
vessels and store houses To this propo-
sition. so communicated, several advised
Weary to comply; but he Indignantly re-
iected the counsel. Yet Cockburns ENJOYS
had hardly delivered the message when the
firing began, three cheers being given by
both sides. The barges, all carrying at
least one great gun, poured forth such
shower OF shot, language, grape, rockets
and musket balls, that Weary was left with
only 30 men, to resist them; and they main
tanned the unequal contest for nearly three
quarters of an hour; every man remaining
firmly at his post till retreat was directed
by their commander-whichw was not done
until very superior force had landed and
approached close to them; it was then eff
fected, in the face of the foe, in good order,
with only one man wounded. Having now
nothing to interrupt them, the British,
with Cockburn at the head, proceeded to
the village, and deliberately applied the
flaming brand to the houses. The scream
ing women and children excited the mirth
of these WinnGJdg0es to the most
humble entreaties to spare the cottages of
the poor, Cock burn stood, like Satan on
his cloud when he saw the blood of man
from murdered Abel first crimson the earth,
exulting at the damning deed; treating the
suppliant females with the rudeSt curses
and most vile appellatons-callous, III
sensible hellsh. The ruin complete the
savages crossed to Georgetown, and in like
manner destroyed that place, with many
houses in the vicinity. 1t is a satisfaction
that some of the wretches paid the forfeit
of their Crimes-a good number of them
were killed and wounded, nine in single
boat; but the whole loss is not known
The property destroyed is estimated at
from 20 to so, 600 dollars. While at Fred
ericlstown the Admiral frequently spoke of
Baltimore, and swore he would never rest
until he had burned every house in it,"
During the early part of the war there
was mandatory of cannon in successful
operation on the Principle creek, where
Whitakcr's iron works now stand. Many
guns were made there, and it was one of
the principal works of the kind in the
United States. The British destroyed it.
They also made call at Charlestown.
The citizens had made some little effort to
tortify the place some time before, but the
works had been washed down by a heavy
rain and no resistance was made. Owing to
this they spared the town.
We have been informed that when the
news of the burning Of the gun manufac-
tory at Principle came to Elkton, num-
Der of the citizens, headed by the late
Henry d. Miller, hastily armed themselves
and started for Principle in a four-horse
stage. 1t is said these men We're anxious
for a fight and no doubt would have given
the British cause to regret the encounter if
they had met them. but they had left be-
fore the Americans arrived.
Fort Iollingsworth, like those who de-
Tended it, has long since ceased to exist.
No trace Of redoubt or ditch remains to
mark its site. The pillow share and harrow
have done for it what the rains and frosts
Of sixty four years have failed to do for
Fort Defiance; for, though the pillow share
and the spade have entirely obliterated the
embankment on three sides of the latter,
that on the east side is yet in good state
of preservation, and no doubt will bid def.
ance to the attacks of the elements for
century to come, if it escapes the ravages
of modern civilization.
Fort Hollingsworth was on the river bank
that time and for many years afterwards,
was used for a tavern, and which stands at
Elk Landing, near the mouth of Little Elk
Fort Defiance was on the bluff Just above
Fowler's fish house, which is about a mile
further down the river. The channel of
the river at that time was close to the bluff
on the northern side of the marsh, below
Fowler's house.
There are marks of earth works about
three hundred yards above Fort Defiance.
near what is now Clay's landing, and there
men of 1912 had placed, or intended to
place, large and strong chains, fastened to
posts firmly fixed in the marsh, opposite
the works and extending into them. These
which they could be stretched taut, it be-
ing the intention of the Americans, if the
British barges passed Fort Defiance, to
tighten the chain at the works further up
ba ~ nd or nd a1c TO-
the chain at the fort and prevent them from
going back, and thus to render their cap
ture or destruction certain. From the best
information we can obtain, we are led to
believe that Fort Defiance was not con-
structed till after the British had burned
Frenchtown. or, if it was in existence at
that time, that there were no guns in posi-
ton nor any soldiers there to defend it.
The probability is that it was erected in
expectation of another hostile expedition
for the destruction of Elkton. The late
Col. VIM. Garrett was at one time in com
mand of the troops stationed there. Gen
eral Foreman, Col. Garrett, Col. Whann,
Major Sewall Capt. Bennett, Judge Cham
bers and many other of the prominent and
patriotic men of that day took an active
part in the defense of the State.
The great reason why the British met
with SO little resistance while marauding
along the shores and tributaries of the bay.
was because many of the citizens of the
country Were in the army in Baltimore and
the country was, in great measure, I'M
protected. 1t was not so with Baltimore,
however. No hostile foot has ever been
allowed to tread her streets, and she stands
to day virgin city, uncontaminated by the
touch of foreign mercenaries.
After the conclusion OF peace in 1915, as
was very natural and appropriate, the Off
GERS and soldiers, together with the citizens
of the town and the people from the sur
rounding country, met at Fort Holdings
worth to celebrate the suspicious event.
They had an OK roasted for the occasion and
no doubt welcomed the return of peace with