The article, "Historic Homes: A Maryland Farm that Became a War of 1812 Battlefield," centers on Caulk's Field in Kent County, Maryland, a site of a pivotal, albeit small-scale, American victory during the War of 1812's Chesapeake campaign. On August 30-31, 1814, British Royal Marines and sailors, led by Captain Peter Parker, clashed with Maryland militia under Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed. The British, initially ambushed, attempted to flank the American forces. Despite the American militia running low on ammunition, Captain Parker was mortally wounded, leading to a British retreat. This battle resulted in 14 British dead and 27 wounded, compared to only 1 American killed and 3 wounded, providing a much-needed morale boost for the local militia, though it had minimal impact on the broader conflict.
Prior to the battle, British forces, including those under Captain Parker, were actively raiding and burning properties along Maryland's Eastern Shore. For instance, on August 28, 1814, British marines burned Henry Waller's 308-acre bayside farm, described as "elegant," with extensive outbuildings and an apple orchard. The destruction was caused by Congreve rockets, one of which is now displayed at Fort McHenry. Waller later received compensation for his losses through the federal government, represented by Francis Scott Key. Similarly, on August 28, the British also burned John Waltham's "Skidmore" farm, causing an estimated loss of $8,000, and on August 30, Richard Frisby's 422-acre farm, incurring losses of at least $6,000.
The battle at Caulk's Field itself was initiated after Parker interrogated enslaved African American men taken from Richard Frisby's farm, who revealed the location of Reed's militia camp. Parker set out with 140 men to strike the camp, encountering Reed's forces who had repositioned themselves in Caulk's field with artillery in the center. Archaeological surveys conducted in the 2010s as part of a War of 1812 bicentennial project, funded by a National Park Service grant, have uncovered over 700 artifacts, including musket balls, buttons, and coins. These findings indicate the battle spread over a larger area than previously believed and suggest the British suffered most casualties within Isaac Caulk’s field itself. The site has been preserved due to its rural location, with monuments placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1902 and a more recent state historical marker.
