During the War of 1812, on August 10, 1813, from this very spot, Parrotts Point, the site of a small earthen fort, a group of Talbot County Militia repelled a British Naval landing force of 300 Royal Marines that had come ashore to capture or destroy the shipbuilding facilities in the harbor. A chain from this point across the harbor prevented the British ships from entering the harbor and instead the Marines were sent ashore in smaller “barges," landing several hundred yards behind where you are standing. The militia, hearing the British approach at 6AM retreated, except for two officers and a gunner. They fired fort’s cannons and then they also retreated. The British spiked the cannons, and realizing they weren’t in town, returned to their boats intending to gain entry to the harbor. Unable to do so because of the chain, the British fired on the town with small cannons on their landing craft. The militia returned fire from what is now Muskrat Park to your left. The British withdrew, returned to their ships and departed, ending the “Battle of St Michaels.”