The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-03-15
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
THE BATTLE Q) OF TAMES' POINT.

Messrs. Editors The following is one of the
many incidents that occurred during what before
the "late unpeasantness' was called "the late
war;" and which, it is believed, has never had
publicity beyond the precincts of Taylor's Island,
Dorchester county, where the tradition is preserv-
ed by the islanders as their most glorious feat of
arms.
During the stay of Cockburns feet in the bay,
in 1914, it was usual for the British commanders
to seize and man with foraging parties any small
vessels that fell in their way. These native craft
were not apt to raise the suspicion boats crew
leaving ship in the ofing would, and they could
run in close to shore and up the numerous creeks,
securing, in sudden dashes On unprotected neigh
borhoods, the much-coveted fresh meats and pro-
visions.
On one occasion a party of these marauders,
small piece of ordnance, attempted to enter the
Little Choptank on q raid When rounding
Tames' Point, at the mouth of the river, their
vessel grounded and stuck fast within gun-shot of
the shore, perceiving which the neighborhood
militia, under "Colonel" John Brohan, who had
been on the alert to repel landing, seized the
golden opportunity, ana with the intuition of
born strategists rushed to the water-side and to
the cover of piles of ice which in cakes had been
driven by storms upon the beach and massed up.
From this novel fertilization, as effectual this
occasion as cotton ut New Orleans, they opened a
brisk fire upon the enemy, peppering them so, in
despite OF the fusllade returned, that the bold
Britshers were unable to get their to bear,
and finally, after having one of their number
wounded in the neck, they hosted white flag in
token of surrender, and the entire party, including
o negro woman named Becky, came ashore
Tibbs remarked, in extenuation of his humiliation,
off I'd got my cannon round I'd knocked HI out
of your piles of ice The cannon was named at
once Cheeky Tibbs," after the officer and the black
woman, and was for many years after used to fire
salutes on all occasions of general import. With
unfailing Partially the old trophy announced the
victory of Federalist or Democrat, and testified
with resoundng pleasure to the joy of either
This cannon, about fifteen years ago, was seen at
Mr.. Spicer's store, the centre of the island,
still on duty.
The record of this gallant coup de maitre and
gallant battle (D would not be complete without
mention of an incident illustrative of the chiyary
of the victor which occurred before the prisoners
were en- route for Cambridge. A gentleman of tho
vicinity John E-) who was more noted for his
timidity than valor, and who had witnessed the
engagement from afar and noted the result, ap
peared riding with speed and enquired loudly Of
COL Brohan, $50 you've caught the id sheep
stealing rascals have you" whereat both the gal
liant patriot commander and his captive officer
became very indignant-the one that his prisoner
should be insulted, the other at the epithets ap-
plied-and fiercely demanded an apology, which,
it is said, was most quickly and humbly complied
with The drum and fife struck up and with all
the pomp, pride and circumstance of glorious war
tba foroas N, rohad nm CamhridDe x y