Evening star., 1909-08-29

II August %, 1s14-the British,
after burning the Capitol, presi-
IL Dental mansion and other
public buildings at Washing
ton, arrived at the little town of Bene-
dict, Nd. forty miles distant. on the Pa
tuxent river, embarked on the transports
awaiting them and quietly sailed away.
The town today is still replete with Incl
dents and memories of those stirring
events nearly century ago. The landing
of the British took place August 1s. 1914,
when they marched overland to Wash
ington. and after it's destruction returned
In the same manner. This interesting bit
of historical information was revealed
last Sunday, while Ralph Stinehardt and
the writer, as guests of Abe Cohen. were
on an automobile trip. in the latter's Co
willingly indulged in reciting the history
of the quaint hamlet, no thought was
given to dates, but careful research dis
closed the above facts.
X
Benedict is situated on the western
bank of the Patuxent river, in Charles
county, about forty miles southeast of
Washington and a short distance from the
saouth of the river where it empties into
Chesapeake bay. The population is about
no inhabitants. most of whom are own
ers of large farming interests in that
vicinity A destructive fire last May de-
sfSoyed a large number of homes, and
came near wiping out the entire village.
Many of the homes are being rebuilt,
some of them on the bungalow style. 1t
considered one OF the best fishing grounds
around Washington. Motor boating am
sailing are popular pastimes, and the
boats owned by residents comprise a
good-sized fleet Ample supplies of every
kind are on hand at all times. and during
the hunting season the sportsman is
looked after equally well. The river is
lined with oyster beds. and some of
Washington's finest bivalves are shipped
from Benedict. A large canning factory
busy seasons. The farmers for miles
around haul their tomatoes to the plant,
where they are canned and Grated for
shipment to all parts of the country. A
majority of the farmers engage in the
raising of this vegetable and tobacco, the
soil being of a fertile character Two
hotels are located within short distance
Of each other, where tourists are well
taken care of after the journey over the
deep sands and hills of lower Maryland.
y
The interesting history of Benedict
leads back to the time when the British
fleet sailed up the Patuxent river and
landed an army of FIVE thousand men,
who set out 10 march to Washington
over the roads. They were landed with
three cannon under cover of an armed
brig. Most of the other large British YES
sells were below, some of them aground,
and all too heavy TO ascend the compare
lively shallow stream. After landing
they marched TO Lower Marlboro and
thence to Big Point and Upper Marlboro.
From there they marched on TO Bladens-
burg, where they encountered and defeat
ed the American forces August "A, 1914.
An entrance being easily secured TO the
city. the invaders took possession of
Washington and burned the Capitol, pres
identiai mansion. arsenal, Treasury build
ing, besides private residences. and after
plundering a number of stores returned
by the same route to Benedict where
they again went aboard the ships lying
at anchor. At one time the town was the
entry port 10 Baltimore. The people OF
Charles county are very hospitable and
nothing is left undone for the entertain.
nnent of visitors. On the road the same
courteous treatment is accorded the auto
mobilist. but care should be exercised
when approaching teams in that locality
The country is well supplied with young
colts and in most cases they are un-
broken. Drivers invariably give way or