The original St. Leonard’s Town, at the head of St. Leonard Creek, served as the Chesapeake Flotilla’s base in June 1814. After intense fighting on June 26, the flotilla moved out, exposing the town to destructive British raids. The town site suffered from the effects of the war and from silting of the creek, so St. Leonard was reestablished in its present location. While the Chesapeake Flotilla defended its base, U.S. Infantry and marines stationed on Fort Hill protected the flotilla’s left flank, a one-gun battery protected the opposite shore, and a floating boom between the two points blocked access to the town.