printed in the Baltimore Federal Gazette of August 17, 1813. He reported that there were four cannons in the fort and that the locals had only time to spike one of them while the remaining three were spiked by the British. It is interesting that both sides each had their reasons for wanting the guns spiked. The locals did it to keep them from falling into the hands of the Brits and then turned on the town, and the Brits did it to keep the locals from using them again. As soon as the Brits had captured the fort, they were quick to celebrate their apparently easy victory, but no sooner had their three cheers echoed across town than the rest of the Talbot militia returned a with-
ering fire with muskets and several more cannons that had been strategically placed at two other locations. British Lt. Puckinghorne’s report dated later that day stated that “the Enemy had collected in considerable numbers and commenced firing from two field pieces in the Town.” These were the two six pounders stationed at Impey Dawson’s wharf that did themselves proud that night: the very cannons that had been given to the town a few months earlier by Jacob Gibson (but that is a whole other story in itself). As it turned out, it was very smart of Brig. Gen. Benson not to have put all his cannons into one fort. The Brits had not expected such a warm welcome, and so having
HOUSE FOR RENT on Private 6+ Waterfront Acres Color Brochure Available
EASTON
(near town & hospital) Fully furnished 2 BR, 1 BA, LR, DR, full kit, all appliances incl. w/d; Direct TV w/HD flatscreen, Blu-ray DVD, internet w/WiFi, central air, lawn care incl., large 12’x16’ deck w/BBQ, no pets, non-smoking, sec. dep. & ref. required. $1,500/mo. + utilities, dock privileges and boat lift negotiable. 4-6 mo. lease.
Available Early September
Day - 410-820-6964 · Evening - 410-822-5789 Cell - 410-808-9191 · E-mail - ron@rjecs.com 49