Cockburn had been eagerly moving up the Patuxent river. It became quite small at a location called Pig Point, and he saw the masts of small enemy boats lined up ahead. At last he would encounter Barney and do battle. Yet he was soon disappointed to see no men on the boats, and the largest, a mere schooner, issuing smoke. He was afraid he might be robbed of this little battle and he was right. The boats soon exploded. After the commotion, Cockburn landed nearby. He likely had mixed feelings of exhileration and outrage when his aid Lt. Scott was fired upon from nearby. At least there was SOMEONE standing up to him. But it was just some sailors acting on their own and some were captured; no real opposition.
Barney and his sailors evaded the British navy and army and made their way to the Wood Yard just as Winder's army was returning from their aborted march and to break camp to move to Long Old Fields. Barney and his 400 sailors decided to stay with them for the time being. Winder was pleased to have the additional manpower.
