Prominent Americans Connected to Southern Maryland's War

James Monroe

Then Secretary of State, and later President of the United States, served as a scout and reported to Washington on the numbers of British ships assembling at Benedict to begin the invasion of Maryland. Monroe was also present at a skirmish at Woodland Point on the Potomac River in Charles County.

Joshua Barney

A Marylander, was a distinguished privateer who became commodore of the U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla built to protect the region from the Royal Navy. Barney led the flotilla during the Battles of St. Leonard Creek and also played a conspicuous part in the Battle of Bladensburg.

Oliver Hazard Perry

Hero of the Battle of Lake Erie, who fought under the flag Don’t Give Up the Ship, commanded the gun battery at Indian Head, mentioned above.

John Stuart Skinner

A native of Calvert County, served as an agent for the exchange of American prisoners and was present with Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Some credit Skinner as being the first to have Key’s famous lyrics printed.

Roger Taney

Another Calvert Countian best known as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, married Key’s sister and wrote an account of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”