This Day In Maryland History: War Of 1812 And The Battles Of St. Leonard Creek

ST. LEONARD, Md. — The American Revolution had concluded only decades earlier when the United States, led by President James Madison, declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. The War of 1812 was an important event that had major effects across America, and thousands of soldiers died during this conflict.

Calvert County was a major hotspot of conflict throughout the War of 1812. Between June 8 and 10, 1814, the U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla engaged in naval combat with the British around St. Leonard Creek. Commodore Joshua Barney led the flotilla to victory, and though not much changed, it did allow Barney to breathe for a couple of weeks.

The British would return to St. Leonard Creek a few weeks later and continue their assault, but America had time to prepare infantry and cannons on nearby land to help fight off the attackers. The flotilla eventually escaped while the British were taking time to repair.

Ultimately, Commodore Barney destroyed much of the Chesapeake Flotilla fleet to avoid total capture by the British, allowing the men to march on foot to Washington, D.C., to continue fighting in the War of 1812.

What Happened During the War of 1812?

Great Britain continued to fight in various conflicts following the American Revolution, as it was in competition with France due to the Napoleonic Wars, which primarily took place across Europe.

The Royal Navy impressed U.S. sailors at sea. The British would force American sailors to board their ships and work for them, which was one of the leading problems that caused the United States to get involved in the War of 1812, alongside America’s limited trade options with Europe due to the British Orders in Council.

Between 1812 and 1815, the United States would engage in fierce combat with Great Britain once again, and it was also the final time that America was involved in a large military conflict with the British.

The British set fire to the White House, attacked major population centers and wreaked havoc across the United States. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was born during the War of 1812 after a major attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, forever marking the conflict in the nation’s history.

On the flip side, the American military took aim at British-controlled territory in Canada on three separate occasions but failed every time. The British used their mighty naval power to blockade America, which was one of the most difficult things that the nation had to endure during the War of 1812 due to disruptions to the economy.

After two and a half years of fighting, the War of 1812 came to an end when the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Europe on Dec. 24, 1814, which became effective on Feb. 17, 1815.

In the end, the War of 1812 affected numerous nations and peoples, including Indigenous groups and Canada, alongside Great Britain and the United States. It ended in a draw, but most importantly, America maintained its independence.

What Happened After the War of 1812?

The American economy and nationalism both improved after the War of 1812. The recent blockade encouraged the United States to create its own products, while fighting off the British for a second time instilled a sense of national identity in Americans.

Unfortunately, many Native American tribes throughout North America lost British support and struggled after the conflict, pushing them further toward a lack of resources and land.

To learn more about the War of 1812 and the Battles of St. Leonard Creek, visit NPS.gov.

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