Battle of Cockpit Point facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cockpit Point
Part of the American Civil War
The rebel batteries on the Potomac now in possession of our troops. A sketch from 1862 by Harper's Weekly showing the aftermath of the engagement at Cockpit Point.
Date January 3, 1862 (1862-01-03) Location Prince William County, Virginia Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Robert H. Wyman	Samuel G. French
Strength
2 gunboats	50 men 4 batteries

Map of Cockpit Point Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

The Battle of Cockpit Point was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on January 3, 1862, in Prince William County, Virginia. This battle was part of a larger effort to block the Potomac River. It is also sometimes called the Battle of Freestone Point or the Battle of Shipping Point.

Why the Battle Happened

Confederate Goals on the Potomac

After winning the First Battle of Bull Run, the Confederate States Army (CSA) set up defenses. They created a strong line from Centreville to the Potomac River. The Confederates wanted to stop Union ships from using the river. This would protect important areas like Manassas Junction and Fredericksburg. It would also cut off Washington, the Union capital, from supplies by river.

Building River Defenses

To block the river, the Confederates built many gun positions. These were called batteries. They placed them along the Potomac's banks. By late 1861, they had 37 large guns ready.

Key Battery Locations

• Evansport: This area, now part of Quantico, had two batteries.
• Chopawamsic Creek: A battery was placed at the mouth of this creek.
• Shipping Point: This is now Hospital Point in Quantico.
• Freestone Point: This battery had four guns. It is now inside Leesylvania State Park.
• Cockpit Point: This was a very strong position. It had six guns, including one heavy gun. It was on a 75-foot-high cliff called Possum Nose. It also had a place to store gunpowder and trenches for soldiers.

Early Skirmishes and the Main Battle

Union Ships Test Defenses

Union ships often tried to test the Confederate defenses. On September 25, 1861, two Union ships, the USS Jacob Bell and the Seminole, shelled the Freestone Point batteries.

Attack on the U. S. Steam Sloop-of-War Seminole from Confederate batteries on October 15, 1861.

On January 1, 1862, two more Union ships, the Anacostia and the Yankee, attacked Cockpit Point. Neither side gained a clear win. The Yankee was slightly damaged in this fight.

The Battle of January 3, 1862

The main battle happened on January 3, 1862. Union ships again approached Cockpit Point. The fighting was intense, but neither side managed to defeat the other. The battle ended without a clear winner, meaning it was "inconclusive."

After the Battle

Confederate Withdrawal

On March 9, 1862, Union ships returned to Cockpit Point. A landing party from the Anacostia and Yankee went ashore. They found that the Confederates had left their batteries at Cockpit Point and Evansport. The Confederates had also blown up one of their ships, the CSS Page.

The Confederates decided to move their forces closer to Richmond. They had successfully blocked the Potomac River for almost five months. This made it hard for the Union to use the river.

Legacy of Cockpit Point

Prince William County is working to create the Cockpit Point Battlefield Heritage Park. This park will help protect the history of the area. It will cover 113 acres, including the old gun battery site along the Potomac River. The park will show where the cannons were placed.