Battle of Pig Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Pig 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 | |||||||
| John Faunce | Robert B. Pegram John C. Owens |
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| Strength | |||||||
| gunboat crew | shore battery garrison | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 wounded | 0 | ||||||
The Battle of Pig Point, Virginia was an early naval battle during the American Civil War. It happened on June 5, 1861. The battle took place after President Abraham Lincoln decided to block ports in Virginia. A Union gunboat, the USRC Harriet Lane, tried to attack a Confederate position at Pig Point. However, the water was too shallow for the ship to get close enough. The Union ship had to pull back after five of its crew were hurt.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
The American Civil War began in April 1861. This was after Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. President Abraham Lincoln then asked for volunteers to help the Union. Four states that allowed slavery, including Virginia, refused to send troops. Instead, Virginia decided to leave the Union.
Virginia's leaders voted to secede on April 17, 1861. They wanted to join the Confederacy. President Lincoln quickly responded. On April 27, 1861, he expanded the Union's naval blockade. This blockade now included the ports of Virginia and North Carolina.
Setting Up Defenses
By late May 1861, both sides were setting up defenses. Major General Benjamin Butler led Union forces. He was in charge of Fort Monroe in Virginia. This fort was important because it controlled the entrance to the James River.
Butler sent troops to occupy Newport News, Virginia. This area was about 8 miles north of Fort Monroe. By May 29, the Union Army had a camp and a gun battery there. This battery could protect the entrance to the James River. It also covered the mouth of the Nansemond River.
Meanwhile, the Confederates built their own battery at Pig Point. This point was across the Nansemond River from Newport News. They used cannons taken from the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk County. General Butler wanted to move up the Nansemond River to capture Suffolk, Virginia. To do this, he first needed to deal with the Confederate battery at Pig Point.
The Fight at Pig Point
On June 5, 1861, General Butler ordered Captain John Faunce to act. Faunce was the commander of the Union gunboat Harriet Lane. His mission was to attack the Confederate battery at Pig Point. He needed to find out how strong the Confederate defenses were.
Captain Faunce attacked the battery. But the water was too shallow for his ship to get close enough. He had to fire his cannons from far away. Most of his 30 shots missed the Confederate position.
The Confederate defenders fired back. They included soldiers from the Portsmouth Rifle Company. Their shots hit the Union ship. Five of the Harriet Lane's crew members were wounded.
After this short fight, Captain Faunce realized the battery was very strong. He decided his mission was complete. He pulled the Harriet Lane away from the battle. The Confederates had stronger firepower at that moment.
Battle Reports
Captain Robert Pegram was in charge of the Confederate battery. He reported that the Harriet Lane fired 33 shots. He said the Confederates had no injuries or damage. The Confederates fired 23 shots back. Later, some reports said the Harriet Lane had damaged one of the Confederate cannons. However, five Union crew members were definitely wounded.
On the same day, another Union ship, the USS Quaker City, captured a Confederate ship. This ship, named General Greene, was caught near the Virginia Capes.
What Happened Next
The Confederates kept control of Pig Point. They continued to operate the battery there. They held this position until March 9, 1862. This was when they left Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. Their departure was part of the start of the Peninsula Campaign. Union forces then occupied Norfolk and Portsmouth on May 10 and 11, 1862.
