The Shoreline
Heldthe largest Revolutionary War engagement fought in Maryland

One

The landing

In the summer of 1776, as the American colonies moved toward independence, St. George Island became the site of what is widely recognized as the largest Revolutionary War engagement fought in Maryland.

In July, a fleet commanded by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore and former royal governor of Virginia, entered the lower Potomac River seeking supplies, fresh water, and a potential foothold from which to continue British operations in the Chesapeake region. British troops landed on St. George Island, but local citizens quickly raised the alarm.

Maryland militia forces, including men who had been preparing to join the Continental Army elsewhere, rushed back to defend their homes and communities. On July 16–17, 1776, militia fighters concealed themselves along the shoreline and successfully repelled British landing attempts, forcing the enemy to withdraw. The action demonstrated that local patriots were prepared to defend Maryland long before large Revolutionary War battles would capture national attention.

Two

Fire and aftermath

The battle left a lasting mark on St. George Island and the surrounding community. The British continued operations in the region for several weeks, conducting raids and searching for supplies along the Potomac.

In retaliation for the resistance they encountered, British forces burned homes, fields, and woodlands on the island, causing significant hardship for local residents.

Yet the island's defenders achieved an important strategic victory. Their resistance denied Lord Dunmore the secure base he sought and helped convince him to abandon plans for expanded operations in the Chesapeake. The battle also became a symbol of Southern Maryland's commitment to the cause of independence. Today, St. George Island stands not only as a beautiful waterfront community but also as a place where ordinary citizens played an extraordinary role in the nation's founding story.

Three

Captain Rezin Beall and the citizen-soldiers

Among the brave men remembered from this battle is Captain Rezin Beall, who led the Maryland militia during the fighting. Beall and his men used their knowledge of the island's terrain to great advantage, hiding along the shoreline and waiting until British landing boats came within range before opening fire. Captain Beall was seriously wounded during the engagement, a testament to the personal risks taken by those who defended the island.

The militia under his command, along with hundreds of local volunteers who later reinforced the defense, showed remarkable courage against a professional British force supported by a large fleet. Their determination helped preserve Maryland's shoreline, protected nearby communities, and added an important chapter to the history of the American Revolution.