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.
After victory at First Battle of Bull Run, the Confederate States Army (CSA) established a defensive line from Centreville along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River. The Confederates used the Potomac’s banks as gun positions to halt Union traffic on the river, protecting Manassas Junction to the west and Fredericksburg to the south and to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington.
Attack on the U. S. Steam Sloop-of-War Seminole, from the field batteries, Evansport, Shipping Point, Potomac River, 15 October
In October 1861, the Confederates constructed batteries at Evansport (now downtown Quantico, consisted of two batteries on the river bank, and another 400 yd (370 m) inland), a CSA field battery located at the mouth of Chopawamsic Creek where it empties to the Potomac (now the Marine Corps Air Facility), Shipping Point (now Hospital Point on Quantico, number of guns unknown), Freestone Point (a CSA four-gun battery on the shore of the Potomac River, now within Leesylvania State Park), and Cockpit Point (near the current asphalt plant, consisted of six guns (one heavy gun) in four batteries, a powder magazine, and rear rifle pits, on top of a 75 ft (23 m) high cliff known as Possum Nose). By mid-December, the Confederates had 37 heavy guns in position along the river.
On September 25, 1861, the Freestone Point batteries were shelled by the USS Jacob Bell (commanded by Lieutenant Edward P. McCrea) and Seminole, commanded by Lieutenant Charles S. Norton. On January 1, 1862, Cockpit Point was shelled by Anacostia (Lieutenant Oscar C. Badger commanding) and Yankee (Lieutenant Eastman commanding), with neither side gaining an advantage, though Yankee was slightly damaged.
Union ships approached the point again on March 9. A landing party from Anacostia and Yankee destroyed abandoned Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point and Evansport, Virginia, and found CSS Page blown up. The Confederates, in keeping with their general tactic of withdrawal from the sea coast and coastal islands, had abandoned their works and retired closer to Richmond, after effectively sealing off the Potomac River for nearly five months.
Legacyedit
Prince William County is in the process of establishing the Cockpit Point Battlefield Heritage Park at Cockpit Point to open in 2017. The park will preserve 113 acres, including a 93 acre natural area with a pond. The park area has a 16 acre gun battery site along the Potomac River, including cannon emplacements.
Referencesedit
Harper's Weekly of November 2, 1861 hosted on the Son of the South website.
Harper's Weekly of March 22, 1862 hosted on the Son of the South website.
information from American Forts Network, compiled by Pete Payette.
Naval History of the Civil War March 1862
Two Wars, an Autobiography of General Samuel G. French
Freestone Point Earthworks Civil War Trails Historical Marker
battle, cockpit, point, 5586, 2642, 5586, 2642, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citatio. 38 33 31 N 77 15 51 W 38 5586 N 77 2642 W 38 5586 77 2642 This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations October 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message Battle of Cockpit PointPart of the American Civil WarThe 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 DateJanuary 3 1862 1862 01 03 LocationPrince William County VirginiaResultInconclusiveBelligerents United States Confederate StatesCommanders and leadersRobert H WymanSamuel G FrenchStrength2 gunboats50 men 4 batteries Map of Cockpit Point Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program The Battle of Cockpit Point the Battle of Freestone Point or the Battle of Shipping Point took place on January 3 1862 in Prince William County Virginia as part of the blockade of the Potomac River during the American Civil War After victory at First Battle of Bull Run the Confederate States Army CSA established a defensive line from Centreville along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River The Confederates used the Potomac s banks as gun positions to halt Union traffic on the river protecting Manassas Junction to the west and Fredericksburg to the south and to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington Attack on the U S Steam Sloop of War Seminole from the field batteries Evansport Shipping Point Potomac River 15 OctoberIn October 1861 the Confederates constructed batteries at Evansport now downtown Quantico consisted of two batteries on the river bank and another 400 yd 370 m inland a CSA field battery located at the mouth of Chopawamsic Creek where it empties to the Potomac now the Marine Corps Air Facility Shipping Point now Hospital Point on Quantico number of guns unknown Freestone Point a CSA four gun battery on the shore of the Potomac River now within Leesylvania State Park and Cockpit Point near the current asphalt plant consisted of six guns one heavy gun in four batteries a powder magazine and rear rifle pits on top of a 75 ft 23 m high cliff known as Possum Nose By mid December the Confederates had 37 heavy guns in position along the river On September 25 1861 the Freestone Point batteries were shelled by the USS Jacob Bell commanded by Lieutenant Edward P McCrea and Seminole commanded by Lieutenant Charles S Norton On January 1 1862 Cockpit Point was shelled by Anacostia Lieutenant Oscar C Badger commanding and Yankee Lieutenant Eastman commanding with neither side gaining an advantage though Yankee was slightly damaged Union ships approached the point again on March 9 A landing party from Anacostia and Yankee destroyed abandoned Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point and Evansport Virginia and found CSS Page blown up The Confederates in keeping with their general tactic of withdrawal from the sea coast and coastal islands had abandoned their works and retired closer to Richmond after effectively sealing off the Potomac River for nearly five months Legacy editPrince William County is in the process of establishing the Cockpit Point Battlefield Heritage Park at Cockpit Point to open in 2017 The park will preserve 113 acres including a 93 acre natural area with a pond The park area has a 16 acre gun battery site along the Potomac River including cannon emplacements References editNational Park Service battle description Harper s Weekly of November 2 1861 hosted on the Son of the South website Harper s Weekly of March 22 1862 hosted on the Son of the South website Virginia Forts information from American Forts Network compiled by Pete Payette Naval History of the Civil War March 1862 Two Wars an Autobiography of General Samuel G French Freestone Point Earthworks Civil War Trails Historical MarkerExternal links editCockpit Point Battlefield Heritage Park at Prince William County Virginia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Cockpit Point amp oldid 1179382824, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
