Battle of Sewell's Point

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

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 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

• The Official Records; various reports from the battle
• USS Monticello, from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
• USS Thomas Freeborn, from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships