The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake: A Reference Guide to Historic Sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia

by Ralph E. Eshelman, Donald R. Hickey, Scott S. Sheads

Overview

The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain was fought throughout nearly all of the country, from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the vast frontier between the U.S. and Canada. No theater of war suffered more than the Chesapeake Bay region, where 11 battles—including Craney Island, Hampton, Bladensburg, and Baltimore—63 skirmishes, and 86 raids took place. Featuring a comprehensive list of more than 800 of the war’s historical sites in the region, this book is an indispensable reference to the second great war for independence.

One chapter each covers Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The authors draw on both American and British accounts in describing battlefields and the locations of skirmishes. The book includes historic maps and drawings, descriptive overview essays, the most complete chronology of the War in the Chesapeake ever assembled, and a thorough bibliographic essay.

Supported by such primary documents as diaries, journals, and newspaper articles, the material compiled in this encyclopedia surpasses any collection thus far brought together on the subject. Local librarians, historians, tour guides, history buffs, school teachers, and genealogists will find this guide to be informative and enlightening.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801892356
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	04/15/2010
Series:	Johns Hopkins Books on the War of 1812
Edition description:	20
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ralph E. Eshelman is a cultural resource consultant, historian, researcher, and writer.

Donald R. Hickey is a professor of history at Wayne State College. He has written widely on the War of 1812, including the books The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict; The War of 1812: A Short History; and, as coauthor, The Rockets' Red Glare: An Illustrated History of the War of 1812 and The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake: A Reference Guide to Historic Sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, the last two also published by Johns Hopkins.

Table of Contents

Introduction
List of Abbreviations
1. The War of 1812: An Overview
2. Warfare in the Chesapeake
3. Maryland Sites
4. Virgina Sites
5. The District of Columbia and Other Sites Related to the Chesapeake
Appendixes:
A. Sites Whose Location Could Not Be Established
B. Gravesites Connected to the War of 1812
C. Chronology of the War in the Chesapeake
D. Military Actions and Other War-Related incidents in the Chesapeake
Notes
Bibliographical Essay
Main Index
Appendix B Index

What People are Saying About This

David C. Skaggs

The authors have done an extraordinary job. For locating an enormous number of sites and for compiling a fine bibliography, Eshelman, Sheads, and Hickey are to be commended for their originality, design, and thoroughness.

— David C. Skaggs, Bowling Green University

From the Publisher

The authors have done an extraordinary job. For locating an enormous number of sites and for compiling a fine bibliography, Eshelman, Sheads, and Hickey are to be commended for their originality, design, and thoroughness.
—David C. Skaggs, Bowling Green University

Editorial Reviews

This is not only a useful reference tool but a detailed, informative and enjoyable book to read.
—David Lee Poremba, Past In Review

Readers will enjoy the clear text and engaging style, peppered with numerous firsthand accounts . . . This unique reference guide is well worth the price for both scholars and those visiting the numerous and interesting sites connected with this largely forgotten conflict.
—Richard V. Barbuto, Virginia Magazine

This informative and painstakingly constructed resource would be of use to anyone studying the history of the often-forgotten War of 1812.
—Choice

A must for anyone interested in a serious study of the Chesapeake area.
—Fred Hopkins, The Northern Mariner

Outstanding . . . A definite must for anyone's 1812 library.
—Blaine Taylor, Sea Classics

A handy reference for anyone interested in the War of 1812.
—New York Military Affairs Symposium Newsletter

An indispensable vade mecum.
—Michael J. Brodhead, Journal of America's Military Past

In the range of works published on the War of 1812, this guide is a unique offering . . . Users of War of 1812 collections in larger academic and public libraries would undoubtedly appreciate the addition of this fine, fully developed piece of scholarship.
—David Killian, Reference Reviews

Is replete with interesting sidebars which add great tidbits of local history and is illustrated with both historic and current views of locales and homes . . . a useful tool for those planning trips for the bicentennial.
—Past In Review

I can't say enough good things about this remarkable, wonderful new study . . . This is the book you'll want to buy, read, own, and treasure forever.

From the Publisher

Readers will enjoy the clear text and engaging style, peppered with numerous firsthand accounts . . . This unique reference guide is well worth the price for both scholars and those visiting the numerous and interesting sites connected with this largely forgotten conflict.

Virginia Magazine - Richard V. Barbuto

A must for anyone interested in a serious study of the Chesapeake area.

The Northern Mariner - Fred Hopkins

A handy reference for anyone interested in the War of 1812.

New York Military Affairs Symposium Newsletter

Is replete with interesting sidebars which add great tidbits of local history and is illustrated with both historic and current views of locales and homes . . . a useful tool for those planning trips for the bicentennial.

Past In Review

In the range of works published on the War of 1812, this guide is a unique offering . . . Users of War of 1812 collections in larger academic and public libraries would undoubtedly appreciate the addition of this fine, fully developed piece of scholarship.

Reference Reviews - David Killian

An indispensable vade mecum.

Journal of America's Military Past - Michael J. Brodhead

This is not only a useful reference tool but a detailed, informative and enjoyable book to read.

Past In Review - David Lee Poremba

This informative and painstakingly constructed resource would be of use to anyone studying the history of the often-forgotten War of 1812.

Choice

Outstanding . . . A definite must for anyone's 1812 library.

Sea Classics - Blaine Taylor

In the range of works published on the War of 1812, this guide is a unique offering... Users of War of 1812 collections in larger academic and public libraries would undoubtedly appreciate the addition of this fine, fully developed piece of scholarship.

— David Killian

Reference Reviews

An indispensable vade mecum.

— Michael J. Brodhead

Journal of America's Military Past

Outstanding... A definite must for anyone's 1812 library.

— Blaine Taylor

Sea Classics

A must for anyone interested in a serious study of the Chesapeake area.

— Fred Hopkins

The Northern Mariner

Readers will enjoy the clear text and engaging style, peppered with numerous firsthand accounts... This unique reference guide is well worth the price for both scholars and those visiting the numerous and interesting sites connected with this largely forgotten conflict.

— Richard V. Barbuto

Virginia Magazine