Caulk's Field Battlefield (18KE352)

Caulk's Battlefield is one of the best-preserved War of 1812 battlefields in the Mid-Atlantic region. The battle between the British and the Americans occurred on August 31, 1814 and lasted approximately an hour. American forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed defeated the British, despite running low on ammunition. British forces under the command of Navy Captain Sir Peter Parker, Baronet, suffered dozens of casualties, included Parker.

Located about eight miles outside of Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland, the site of the battle and the nearby brick home constructed in 1743, remain relatively unchanged since the time of the battle.

A controlled metal detector survey of approximately 80 acres was undertaken by archaeologists from the Maryland State Highway Administration in 2012. A total of 721 artifacts were recovered from the survey. The artifacts included lead musket and rifle/pistol shot, buckshot, canister shot, a possible canister shot rod, lead casting waste, lead flint wraps, shoe and harness buckles, buttons, horse furniture and coins.

Artifact locations were mapped using GIS in order to better understand battle-related activities. The archaeology, combined with the landscape and historic accounts of the battle, helped illuminate battlefield boundaries, troop and artillery positions and the probable location of the American encampment.

(Written by Patricia Samford)