Difference between revisions of "Battle of Sewell's Point"

Revision as of 23:35, May 14, 2015

Battle of Sewell's Point

Began:

18 May 1861

Ended:

19 May 1861

Location:

Sewell's Point, near Norfolk, Virginia

Theater:

Eastern Theater

Campaign:

Blockade of Chesapeake Bay

Outcome:

Inconclusive

Combatants

USS Monticello
USS Thomas Freeborn

Light Guard, 6th Georgia Reg.

Commanders

Henry Eagle
Captain, USN
D.L. Braine
Lieutenant, USN

Walter Gwynn
Brigadier General, CSA
Peyton Colquitt
Captain, CSA

Strength

Two Union gunboats

Battery garrison

Casualties

None

Wounded: 1

References

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 |casualties2=Wounded: 1
 }}
-The '''Battle of Sewell's Point''' was a minor duel fought in May, 1861, between Union warships enforcing the [[Union blockade]] and a small Confederate battery mounted near the shoreline at Sewell's Point, part of a promontory of land just north of Norfolk, Virginia.  This first battle of the [[American Civil War]] after [[Battle of Fort Sumter|Fort Sumter]] ended in a draw, with few casualties
-Soon after the taking of the U.S. Naval shipyard in Norfolk, Confederate forces began to construct defensive batteries at key points within the Elizabeth River/Hampton Roads area.  Sewell's Point, the northernmost promontory of the Norfolk area, received three smoothbore and two rifled guns within earthen fortifications; work had progressed rapidly when the gunboat USS ''Monticello'' under Captain Henry Eagle steamed over to see what was going on; he opened fire when he saw the purpose of the construction, and was soon joined by the armed tug ''Thomas Freeborn''.  The attack from both ships had caused some confusion and momentary shock, but the Confederates quickly recovered and fired back, Captain Peyton H. Colquitt hoisting the colors of Georgia in the absence of either a Confederate or Virginia flag.  The fighting was put off due to darkness, and the next afternoon the bombardment from ''Monticello'' resumed, this time facing well-aimed fire from a breastworks that was hurriedly-completed during the night.  The engagement ended at 6:45 PM on the 19th, when ''Monticello'' steamed back towards Fortress Monroe, bearing a few large holes in her hull.
 ==References==

Difference between revisions of "Battle of Sewell's Point"

Revision as of 23:35, May 14, 2015

References

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