Battle of Mathias Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Mathias Point |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| James H. Ward † James C. Chaplin J. P. K. Mygatt |
Daniel Ruggles John M. Brockenbrough R. M. Mayo |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 36–50 gunboat crew |
400–500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed 4 wounded |
none | ||||||
The Battle of Mathias Point happened on June 27, 1861, in Virginia. It was one of the first naval fights of the American Civil War. This battle was part of the Union Blockade, which was the Union's plan to stop supplies from reaching the Southern states. The Confederates wanted to keep using the Potomac River for their own needs.
During the battle, two Union gunboats tried to stop the Confederates. The Confederates were setting up a cannon battery at Mathias Point. A Union landing party tried to set up their own cannons, but they were forced back. Commander James H. Ward ordered another landing, but it also failed. Ward was killed, becoming the first Union Navy officer to die in the war. The Confederates held Mathias Point until March 1862.
Why Did the Battle Happen?
The Start of the Civil War
The American Civil War began in April 1861. This was after Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. President Abraham Lincoln asked for volunteers to join the Union army. He wanted to get back federal property and stop the rebellion.
Seven Southern states had already left the United States. They formed the Confederate States of America. Four other states that allowed slavery, including Virginia, refused to send troops to fight against the South. Instead, Virginia decided to leave the Union.
Virginia Joins the Confederacy
On April 17, 1861, Virginia voted to secede (leave) the Union. They also allowed their governor to call for soldiers to defend the state. President Lincoln then expanded a blockade he had started. This blockade aimed to stop ships from entering or leaving Southern ports. It now included ports in Virginia and North Carolina.
Controlling the Potomac River
In June 1861, Union Commander James H. Ward learned something important. The Confederates were building a cannon battery at Mathias Point in King George County, Virginia. This spot was key because it controlled the Potomac River. If the Confederates had cannons there, they could stop Union ships. This would prevent supplies from reaching Washington, D.C. It could also help Confederates communicate with supporters in southern Maryland. They might even launch raids into Maryland.
What Happened During the Battle?
Union Attack Plans
On June 27, 1861, Commander Ward decided to act. He took his flagship, the USS Thomas Freeborn, and another ship, the USS Reliance. He also had a group of sailors and marines led by Lieutenant James C. Chaplin. Their goal was to attack the Confederate position. They wanted to clear trees so the Confederates couldn't hide their cannons. Then, they planned to put a Union battery there instead.
First Landing and Confederate Response
The USS Thomas Freeborn arrived at Mathias Point. Its crew began firing cannons into the woods. This was to protect Lieutenant Chaplin's landing party. Union skirmishers (small groups of soldiers) quickly met Confederate skirmishers. The Union forces pushed them back.
The landing party started preparing a spot for their artillery. They had brought the cannons on their boats but hadn't moved them ashore yet. Soon, a large force of 400 to 500 Confederate soldiers arrived. They began to move toward the small Union force and fire at them.
Ward's Orders and Second Attempt
Commander Ward had been with the landing party. But he quickly went back to the Thomas Freeborn. He wanted to direct the ship's cannons to fire more at the Confederates. Lieutenant Chaplin then pulled his men back to their small boats. The cannon fire from the Thomas Freeborn pushed the Confederates back for a short time.
Ward then ordered Chaplin to land again. He told them to quickly build sandbag defenses. The Confederates, led by Colonel Ruggles and Colonel J. M. Brockenbrough, moved through the forest. This way, they avoided the ship's fire. Chaplin and his men quickly finished their small defenses. They tried to hide them with branches.
Union Retreat and Ward's Death
Around 5:00 p.m., Chaplin's group began to leave the shore again. They wanted to get their artillery. At this moment, more Confederates arrived. They were led by Major R. M. Mayo. The Confederates renewed their attack on the Thomas Freeborn and the landing party.
Chaplin and his men were greatly outnumbered and under heavy fire. They could not get their cannons ashore. They were forced to retreat completely. Chaplin himself saved a man who couldn't swim to the boats.
Meanwhile, a gunner on the Thomas Freeborn was wounded. Commander Ward tried to aim the ship's gun. He was shot in the stomach by a rifle and died about 45 minutes later. His death upset the crew, and they stopped firing. Ward was the only Union soldier killed in the battle. Four others were wounded. He was the first Union Navy officer to die in the Civil War.
What Happened Next?
Confederates Hold the Point
The Confederates kept control of Mathias Point. They finished setting up their cannon battery the day after the battle. Union forces did not attack them by land. The Confederates stayed there until March 9, 1862. At that time, they left Mathias Point and other parts of northern Virginia. This was to protect Richmond, Virginia, from Union forces moving in for the Peninsula Campaign.
Honoring Commander Ward
Commander (later Vice Admiral) Stephen Clegg Rowan took over command of the Potomac Flotilla. He later fought in other battles. One Union sailor, Captain of the Maintop John Williams, received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Mathias Point.
Fort Ward in Alexandria, Virginia, was named in honor of Commander Ward. This fort was part of the defenses for Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. It was finished in September 1861. Today, Fort Ward has been restored. It is a museum and a historic park.
