Unwanted Bodkin Visitors Thwarted (War of 1812)

The floating bastion, Menelaus, pulled up anchor at the command of Captain Parker.  Trailing smoke from The Lion of Baltimore was still seen on the horizon as Captain Parker  barked his orders.  Sailors scurried unfurling the sails from the yards.  The ship’s bow started to move through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay as the wind caught the square rigger as it left Bodkin Point and headed for open waters.  The muggy August air hung heavy around the crew even with the gentle breeze.

“Before the fleet attacks Baltimore, that nest of privateers, we will do another raid tonight in Kent County.  We will set fire to the barns and houses like we have done before and take their ham, chicken and maybe they‘ll have some salted fish,” Captain Parker stated to his lieutenant. “They will regret making war on us.”

As the moon  rose over the horizon, the frigate, Menelaus, anchored off Caulk’s farm.  Longboats were lowered and Captain Parker joined his 170 men on the raid.  A slave, they had freed from a local plantation, led the way through the woods, into the cornfields, and a back road.

Colonel Philip Reed was waiting.  He had been frustrated before by arriving too late to engage the British.  Two scouts spotted the Recoats and hurried to inform the Colonel.  He was there with 174 men from the Maryland Militia made up of farmers and townspeople, not trained troops by any means.  However, Colonel Reed was experienced from the Revolutionary War.  “Quick, you twenty riflemen, hide in the cornfield.  You men, fell some trees and place them in the road to slow up the British.  Move the cannons to the edge of the field and we will be ready for them.”

The British marines came upon the felled trees.  As they climbed over them, the air exploded with rifle shots and cannon balls.  The British formed a line and charged.  Their surprise attack was foiled.  Captain Parker was mortally injured.  Lifting him on their shoulders, the marines carried him to the ship as they retreated.  Unfamiliar with the territory and burdened with the weight of their dead Captain, the men floundered through the woods and searched for their longboats hidden in the reeds.  They returned to the Menelaus exhausted.

Pasadena was not invaded again.  Captain Parker never saw the defeat at Fort McHenry.  He was eulogized by his cousin, Lord Byron.