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Maryland Historical Trust

Reconstructing the Revolution-Era Cultural Landscapes of Military Encampments

Map of the Chesapeake Bay region

The Rugged Road to Revolution: Maryland, 1781 

In September 1781, General George Washington and French General Rochambeau led their armies across Maryland. They were on their way to Virginia to fight the British. After winning the famous Siege of Yorktown, the troops marched back north through Maryland in the summer of 1782. During these trips, soldiers camped in several local communities, including:  

  • Abingdon (Bushtown)
  • Havre de Grace  
  • Darlington (Deer Creek)
  • Bainbridge (Cummings Tavern)
  • Perryville
  • Elkton 
Three historical hand-drawn maps of military encampments at Bush Town, Head-of-Elk, and Lower Ferry.
Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

While these marches were a turning point in history, we still know very little about the actual campsites the soldiers used. 

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) received a 2023 grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program to change that. Over the next two years, we will study Harford and Cecil Counties to find and document these "lost" camps. We will use historical research and on-site archaeology to learn how Marylanders supported the war effort. 

We Want to Hear from You! 

Are you a local resident or history buff? We need your help to find these historic sites. Fill out the form to: 

  • Report a possible site: Tell us if you have found artifacts or think a camp was on your property in Cecil or Harford County.
  • Share your knowledge: Give us feedback or historical details about the area.
  • Volunteer: Join us for archaeological fieldwork.
  • Stay updated: Sign up for project news. 

Want to see what we’ve found so far? Read our newsletter - PDF 4.2 MB to see our latest fieldwork and public events. We’ll see you on the road! 

Note: This project is supported by a grant from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the National Park Service or the U.S. Government.