Battle of Cockpit Point

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Battle of Cockpit Point Began: January 3, 1862 Ended: Same day Location: Prince William County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Blockade of the Potomac River Outcome: Inconclusive Combatants USS Anacostia USS Yankee Battery garrison Commanders Robert H. Wyman Lieutenant, USN Samuel G. French Brigadier General, CSA Strength Casualties None None

After victory at First Manassas, the Confederate army established a defensive line from Centreville along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River. In October, the Confederates constructed batteries at Evansport, Freestone Point, Shipping Point, and Cockpit Point to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington. By mid-December, the Confederates had 37 heavy guns in position along the river. On January 3, Cockpit Point was shelled by Anacostia and Yankee with neither side gaining an advantage. Union ships approached the point again on March 9 but discovered that the Confederates had abandoned their works and retired closer to Richmond, after effectively sealing off the Potomac River for nearly five months.

References

• Harper's Weekly of November 2, 1861, via SonoftheSouth.com
• Harper's Weekly of March 22, 1862, via SonoftheSouth.com
• Naval History of the Civil War March 1862
• Two Wars, an Autobiography of General Samuel G. French
• Freestone Point Earthworks Civil War Trails Historical Marker