Pretty Nasty War in Southern Maryland

From the September 21, 2012, SoMdNews.com "War returns to Jefferson Park" by Joseph Morris.

"There's something a little macabre about celebrating the 200th anniversary of an event as devastating as the War of 1812 in Southern Maryland.  We're not talking about 'Finding Nemo' here, more like 'Reservoir Dogs.'"

On their way to Washington, DC, the "Brititsh left a swath of destruction from St. George's Island to Chaptico, burning plantations, carrying off livestock, property and slaves, smashing up the tombstones in the cemetery at King and Queen Parish in Chaptico and using the church to stable their horses."

"Chaptico citizens were forced to stand naked in the hot August sun in 1814 while Redcoats threw candlesticks and other ossessions down the town well.  Many of the region's oldest homes were lost to flames as Admr. George Cockburn oversaw the destruction of as many plantations as he could lay fire to."

The populations of St. Mary's and Charles counties diminished after that as many left.  Entire communities left to settle in Kentucky and Indiana.  A lot of those heading for Kentucky went on the Ohio Trail and settled in what became Bardstown.  Some even went as far as Missouri and even Texas.

The article writer's mother's great grandmother and father died along the way to Kentucky and her grandfather was returned to Maryland with some of those who gave up the new life.

Jeffersn Patterson Park and Museum at 10515 Mackall Rd. in St. Leonard has been hosting a War of 1812 reenactment for 14 years and will have another one this weekend.

I Believe the Proper Word Is Commemoration.  All War Is Nasty.  --Brock-Perry