In April 1813, the town of Havre de Grace, Maryland was attacked by amphibious British forces led by Admiral George Cockburn. Local citizenry and militia attempted unsuccessfully to resist, and the British burned the town. A pair of historical markers describing the attack on Havre de Grace can be found on Concord Point as well as an antique cannon said to have been used in the battle. The cannon was part of a so-called “potato battery” which fired potato-sized rounds at the enemy ships. It is said that artilleryman John O’Neil refused to leave his cannon when his comrades retreated. As a reward for his considerable bravery, O’Neil was later named keeper of the nearby Concord Point Lighthouse which still stands and remains in operation to this day.

Links

• concordpointlighthouse