Francisco's Fight facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francisco's Fight
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Peter Francisco Fighting Tarleton's Cavalry (1814 engraving)
Date between July 9 and 24, 1781 Location Ward's Tavern, present-day Nottoway County, Virginia Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Peter Francisco	Unknown
Strength
1	9
Casualties and losses
None	1–3 killed others driven away (some wounded) 8 horses captured

Francisco's Fight is the name for a small battle that supposedly happened during the American Revolutionary War in July 1781. It was between a group of British soldiers called Tarleton's Raiders and an American soldier named Peter Francisco. This event is mostly known from Peter Francisco's own stories.

In this fight, at least one person died, and several others were hurt. Later stories about the fight added more details that weren't in Francisco's original accounts.

The Story of Francisco's Fight

A Soldier's Incredible Strength

Peter Francisco was a soldier in the Continental Army, which was the American army during the war. He was a very tall and strong man, about six feet six inches (198 cm) tall and weighing over 260 pounds (118 kg). He was known for his amazing strength.

Francisco fought in many important battles in the war. These included the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Monmouth. He was also at the Battle of Stony Point. Later, he joined the southern army and fought under General Greene. He was even said to have killed 11 men at the Battle of Guilford Court House in May 1781.

Tarleton's Raid in Virginia

In July 1781, a British general named Charles Cornwallis was in charge of British troops in Virginia. He sent Banastre Tarleton and his group, known as the British Legion or "Tarleton's Raiders," on a quick trip into central Virginia.

Tarleton's men rode very fast, traveling about 400 miles (640 km). They raided some military supplies. Most of the supplies they were looking for had already been sent to General Nathanael Greene's army.

The Skirmish at Ward's Tavern

The only stories we have about Francisco's Fight come from Peter Francisco himself. He wrote about it in 1820 and 1829 when he asked for money from the government. Even though the two stories have small differences, they tell mostly the same tale. No other records from that time confirm his account.

Miniature portrait of Francisco

In his 1820 story, Francisco said he was going home through Amelia County, Virginia. This area is now called Nottoway County. He met a group of British cavalry soldiers, called dragoons, at Benjamin Ward's tavern.

One of the dragoons told Francisco to give him his watch and silver shoe buckles. Francisco refused. As the soldier bent down to take his buckles, Francisco, who had no weapon, quickly pulled the soldier's sword from its holder. He then used the sword to kill that soldier.

In his 1820 letter, Francisco said he then "wounded and drove off the others." In his 1829 letter, he claimed he killed two more men and "frightened off the rest of the party, amounting in number to six."

How the Story Grew

Over time, the story of Francisco's Fight became even more exciting. A historian named Henry Howe published a popular version in 1845. This version added details that Francisco didn't include in his own writings. For example, it mentioned that Tarleton's main army was nearby. It also said the tavern owner helped the British raiders. Some of these added details can be seen in the 1814 picture at the top of this article.

Remembering Francisco's Fight

State historic marker dedicated to the fight

DAR marker at the site of Francisco's Fight, erected in 1931.

In 1931, a group called the Daughters of the American Revolution put up a marker. It shows the approximate spot where the fight happened. This marker is near a community called Jennings Ordinary.

There is also a state historical marker that remembers the event. It is located on U.S. Route 360. This is about six miles south of Burkeville. It is also about five miles west of where Ward's tavern used to be.

Images for kids

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  Peter Francisco Fighting Tarleton's Cavalry (1814 engraving)