British Raids on the Coan River
During the War of 1812, on 7 Aug. 1814 ten
British ships and smaller vessels appeared on
the Coan River, which flows into the Potomac.
The invaders sent three barges to capture
three American schooners situated within two
miles of Northumberland Court House. The
Lancaster County militia repulsed the attack
until British reinforcements arrived. Before
leaving, the British seized the schooners and
destroyed property at Northumberland Court
House. On 4 Oct. 1814, two British detachments
of 3,000 infantry invaded Northumberland
County from the Coan River. After initially
resisting, the outnumbered militia retreated.
The British captured ammunition, arms, and
personal property before debarking.
Marker is at the intersection of Northumberland Highway (U.S. 360) and Forrest Landing Road (County Route 612), on the right when traveling west on Northumberland Highway.
Courtesy hmdb.org
