Raid on Annapolis Royal (1781) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raid on Annapolis Royal
Part of the American Revolutionary War
John Ritchie House, "Governor of Annapolis" was taken captive in the raid
Date 29 August 1781 Location Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia Result Privateer victory
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
William Morgan John Curtis (naval officer)	Commander Phineas Lovett John Ritchie (POW) Thomas Williams (POW)
Strength
80 privateers	local militia; 3 soldiers
Casualties and losses
1 killed (Acadian pilot)	no casualties

The Raid on Annapolis Royal happened on August 29, 1781. It was during the American Revolutionary War. Two American privateer ships attacked Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Privateers were like armed ships owned by private people. They were allowed by their government to attack enemy ships. These ships, the Resolution and the Reprisal, wanted revenge. They were upset about a British victory called the Penobscot Expedition. During the raid, they captured John Ritchie. He was the leader of the local defense group, called the militia. Some people even called him the "Governor of Annapolis." This event was seen as a very brave and surprising attack on Nova Scotia.

Why the Raid Happened

During the American Revolution, American ships often attacked Nova Scotia. These attacks were by land and by sea. American privateers caused a lot of damage. They raided many towns along the coast. This hurt the local economy.

These raids became more common after the British won the Penobscot Expedition. For example, there were many raids on Liverpool and Lunenburg.

In March 1781, a British ship captured Captain Amos Potter. He was the leader of the American privateer ship Resolution. His crew managed to escape. Captain William Morgan then took command of the Resolution. Five months later, Captain Potter's crew wanted to get even. They planned to attack Annapolis Royal.

The Attack on Annapolis Royal

Captain William Morgan led the Resolution. He was joined by another American privateer, the Reprisal. The Reprisal was led by Captain John Curtis. Together, they had about 80 men.

They quickly took control of the town's small fort. Only three soldiers were guarding it. Over the next few hours, the privateers gathered the local militia. The militia was led by John Ritchie and Lieutenant-Colonel Phineas Lovett. The privateers took away their weapons and put them in prison. They also made the town's cannons useless.

The privateers then took valuable items from the entire town. They took silverware, food, furniture, bedding, and clothes. Ritchie's servant, whose name is not known, asked them to leave some food. She said Ritchie's wife was sick. The privateers gave her some tea and sugar.

After the raid, they went to Goat Island. They took two important people as prisoners. One was Thomas Williams. He was in charge of supplies for the fort. The other was John Ritchie. The Boston Gazette newspaper called Ritchie the "Governor of Annapolis." They also captured a sergeant and a few other people. Later, they traded "the Governor" for their old commander, Captain Potter. The privateers then returned to Boston the next month.

After the Raid

Thomas Williams House, Williams was taken captive here.

American privateers continued to be a danger to Nova Scotian ports. This lasted for the rest of the war. Captain William Chair Burnaby was in command of a ship called the Merlin at Annapolis Royal.

On January 1, 1782, a British ship captured an armed American ship. This happened in the Bay of Fundy. On May 8, 1782, another privateer ship was captured. The crew of that ship escaped.

In March 1782, Captain Potter returned from Boston. He was on the Resolution. He captured a ship called the Two Sisters. This happened near Pearl Island. He stole all the food from the ship. Then he let the ship go.