History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 8

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 8

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHAPTER IV

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued

PERIOD OF PEACE SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION-ENGLAND'S HOSTILE ACTS TOWARD OUR COMMERCE AND COAST BRING THE WAR OF 1812-BRITISH FLEET IN HAMPTON ROADS-DEPREDATIONS-BATTLE OF CRANEY ISLAND-THE MEXICAN WAR.

PERIOD OF PEACE.

Great Britain had conquered the Canadas from France in 1760, and had for long years previously endeavored to obtain the possession of the Province of Louisiana and the control of the Mississippi River. France, aware of England's designs, made a secret treaty with Spain in 1763 and turned over the province to the Spanish authorities, with the agreement that Spain should make a retrocession when- ever called for. After a period of nearly four clecades Spain made a recession of Louisiana. in 1801. back to France, and in view of the war with England. Napoleon Bonaparte, on April 30. 1803. sold and ceded to the United States for the small sum of about $15,000,000 the Province of Louisiana, a vast territory now consisting of 15 States of this Union. On De- cember 20. 1803. the tricolored flag was hauled down at New Orleans and replaced by the stars and stripes. Thus were the cherished hopes of England again foiled.

In 1804 the British frigate "Cambrian." Captain Bradley, entered the harbor of New York with other cruisers, seized one of our merchant vessels, just arrived, and impressed and carried off a number of her seamen and

passengers. In 1806 three British ships of war boarded and burned the French ship "Im- petueux," of 74 guns, which had run aground on the coast of North Carolina, a few hundred yards from the shore. Our coasting vessels were frequently fired upon, and in certain in- stances some of the crew killed. Captain Douglass, of the "Leopard," subsequently blockaded the port of Norfolk, obstructed citi- zens in their ordinary communication between that and other places, and, in fact, besieged the city on the land side.

THE WAR OF 1812.

For all these hostile acts of violence on our commerce and coast, in violation of the laws of neutrality, England refused to give any satisfaction or make any reparation or apology. Finally these outrages culminated in 1807 by the attack of His Britannic Majesty's ship "Leopard" on the American frigate "Chesa- peake" off the capes of Virginia, which after five years of diplomatic negotiation determined President Madison to send a war message to Congress, and soon after, June 18. war was formally declared.

The President's manifesto declared that

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

the reasons for war were British excesses in violating the American flag on the great high- way of nations ; the impressment of American seamen ; the harassing of American vessels as they were entering their own harbors, or de- parting from them, and wantonly spilling the blood of the citizens of America within the limits of her territorial jurisdiction ; the issuing of orders by which the ports of the enemies of Great Britain were blockaded, and not sup- porting these blockades by the adequate appli- cation of fleets to render them legal, and en- forcing them from the date of their proclama- tion, in consequence of which American com- merce had been plundered on every sea, and her products cut off from legitimate markets ; the employing of secret agents to subvert the government and dismember the Union; and finally, the encouragement of the Indian tribes to hostility. The war lasted until 1815, al- though the treaty of peace was concluded De- cember 24. 1814. The country after a period of 30 years of peace was not prepared for war and consequently suffered the disgrace and humiliation of the capture and destruction of its capital by the enemy. Norfolk county was again agitated by the war and constantly menaced by the powerful fleets of Great Brit- ain. On the 22d of June, 1813, they made an attempt to capture or destroy our towns by an attack on Craney Island, but were gallantly re- pulsed by our soldiers and sailors, which saved Norfolk and Portsmouth from destruction.

On the 5th day of February, 1813. Admiral Warren's fleet was anchored in Lynnhaven Bay and all the ports and harbors of Chesa- peake Bay were declared in a state of strict and vigorous blockade. It was reported that they had landed at Cape Henry for the pur- pose of procuring wood and water, and there was great alarm and consterntion throughout all the tide-water section of Virginia. The Governor ordered out 3,000 men, and the legislature voted $300,000 for the means of immediate defense.

rigates in the bay and one stationed at the en- trance of the capes to prevent the possibiliy of vessels coming in or going out, and the Ameri- cans were making active preparations to meet any attack that might be attempted on Norfolk and Portsmouth. The "Constellation" lay be- tween the forts and these cities in fighting trim, and 18 gunboats were arranged in line half a mile from Craney Island. Everything was in martial order here. Scouting parties, look-out and watch-boats were so thick on the river that a cockle shell could not have come up the river without discovery. There was so much confidence in the ability of our forces to defeat any assault of the enemy, it was proposed to send eight or 10 gunboats down and attack the British frigate anchored in Hampton Roads.

The schooner "Lottery," Captain South- comb, bound from Baltimore for France, in going out of the bay was discovered by the squadron. The British immediately manned and dispatched their boats and a pilot-boat after her, and, it being calm, succeeded, after a desperate action, in capturing the schooner. A number of men were killed and wounded in the boats, and Captain Southcomb and two of his men were severely wounded. The brave captain soon died of his wounds. A flag of truce dispatched on a pilot-boat to the fleet for the remains of Captain Southcomb was brought up with the following letter from Cap- tain Byron, of the British ship "Belvidera," to Capt. Charles Stewart, of the "Constellation."

"BELVIDER.1," LYNNHAVEN ANCHORAGE, FEB. 15. 1813. SIR :-

I received your letter of this morning by Dr. Ray. The unfortunate and gallant Captain John Southcomb expired this morning. It will be satisfactory in some degree to his widow to know he had truly a religious sense of his situation, lately delirious, without the ex- cess of pain that might have been expected. Capt. Gould and his steward have taken charge of his effects; his body will be placed in the cartel, as soon as the coffin can be prepared. The two wounded men, at their own request, went up in the former cartel, which I am sorry to hear got on shore. I am extremely flat- tered with the part of your letter thanking me for at-

On the 16th of February there were five , tentions and humanity to the unfortunate, which gives

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

me the most perfect assurance of the generous feching- of Captam Stewart.

I have the honor to be. Sir, with great respect. Your obedient servant. R. BYRON.

The officers of the "Belvidera" spoke in terms of the highest commendation of the gal- lant manner in which the "Lottery" was de- fended, and in Captain Byron her unfortunate commander found a brave, a generous and a humane enemy. Every means was essayed to administer comfort to him while he lived ; nor would the chivalrous Byron suffer his body, when lifeless, to be removed until he had en- closed it in a neat mahogany coffin which he had ordered to be made for the occasion.

When the flag of truce bearing the corpse departed minute guns were fired on board the "Belvidera." and her colors were lowered to half-mast.

Such sensibility, such noble, generous con- duct to a fallen enemy gave Captain Byron a mere conspicuous niche in the temple of fame than the achievement of a great victory could entitle him.

Captain Southcomb's remains were inter- red in Norfolk with the honors of war, which burial was attended by the officers and crew of the frigate "Constellation."

On the morning of the 9th of March. 1813, there was great excitement in Norfolk and Portsmouth and every man was under arms in consequence of the enemy's squadron receiving a reinforcement the previous night. Their boats were constantly passing and re- passing between the different ships, and oc- casionally they would take soundings up the channel which induced the belief of an im- mediate attack by land and sea. Both forts were well manned and the men were busily en- gaged heating shot. Every exertion was made to repel the enemy. Many women and children left the towns and fled to the country. The court records were moved to a place of safety by the clerk and both communities were stripped for the fight; but the squadron did not then attack. only taking a position in Hampton Roads so as to effectually cut off

communication with Petersburg and Rich- mond. The ships only remained in this posi- tion until the 22d of March, when they got under way and returned to Lynnhaven Bay ; the "Dragon," of 74 guns, was the nearest to the Roads, being anchored off Willoughby's Point,-this movement was doubtless made as a base for the expeditions sent up the Rappa- hannock River.

On the 18th of June, Commodore Cassin, commanding the American fleet in the Eliza- beth River, detached Captain Tarbell with 15 gunboats to attack the British frigate "Junon anchored in the bay. It being perfectly calm. the gunboats had an excellent opportunity of proving their utility in smooth water. The attack lasted an hour and a half, in which time the enemy was so severely handled that she would have been compelled to strike her colors had not a breeze sprung up, when two other frigates coming to her assistance compelled the gunboats to withdraw. Abram Allison, a master's mate, was the only person killed on board the gunboats. Commodore Cassin, in his report to the Secretary of the Navy, dated June 23. 1813. at Navy Yard. Gosport, says :

SIR :--

On Saturday at 11 P. M. Captain Tarbell moved with the flotilla under his command, consisting of fifteen gun-boats in two divisions. Lieut. John M. Gard- ner first division, and Lieut. Robert Henly the second, manned from the frigate, and fifty musketeers, which General Taylor ordered from Craney Island, and pro- ceeded down the river; but adverse winds and squalls prevented his approaching the enemy until Sunday afternoon at 4 P. M .. when the flotilla commenced a heavy galling fire on a frigate at about three-quarters of a mile distance, lying well up the Roads, two other frigate- lying in sight. At half-past four a breeze sprung up from E. N. E. which enabled the two frigates In get under way, one a razee or very heavy ship. andI the other frigate, to come near into action.

The boat- in consequence of their approach hauled off. though keeping up a well-directed fire on the razee and other ship, which gave us several broadside. The frigate first engaged. supposed to be the "Junon." Wds Certainly very severely handled -had the calm rintin nol one half hour, that frigate must have fallen' our hands or been destroyed. She must lav . s'y Ir mouring so as to drop nearer the razee. which 1:11

sails set coming up to her with the other is ad' T .

act n continued one hour and a half with the hirte ships. Shortly after the action, the ra, e gut a re-de

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

of the ship, and had her upon a deep careen in a little time with a number of boats and stages around her. I am satisfied considerable damage was done to her, for she was silenced some time, until the razee opened her fire, when she commenced again. Our loss is very trifling. Mr. Allison, master's mate on board No. 139, was killed early in the action by an 18-pound ball, which passed through him and lodged in the mast. No. 154 had a shot between wind and water. No. 67 had her franklin shot away and several of them had some of their sweeps as well as their stantions shot away- but two men slightly injured by the splinters . from the sweeps. On the flood tide several ships of the line and frigates came into the Roads and we did expect an at- tack last night. There are now in the Roads thirteen ships of the line and frigates. one brig and several tenders.

I cannot say too much of the officers and men on this occasion, for every man appeared to go into action with so much cheerfulness, apparently, to do their duty. resolved to conquer. I had a better opportunity of dis- covering their actions than any one else, being in my boat the whole action.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

JAMES CASSIN.

On the morning of June 22 the British fleet under command of Vice- Admiral Cockburn made a vigorous and desperate attack on Craney Island. The batteries were manned with troops stationed on the island and a de- tachment of sailors commanded by officers of the "Constellation," who opened a heavy fire which compelled the enemy to retreat with great loss. Three barges were sunk-one was captured with 18 men on board belonging to a foreign regiment. Our officers, soldiers, sailors and marines exhibited the utmost cool- ness and enthusiasm.

The following is the official report of the battle by Commodore Cassin, Commandant of Navy Yard :

NAVY YARD. GOSPORT, June 23. 1813.

SIR :-

" I have the honor to inform you that on the 20th. the enemy got under way, in all 13 sail, and dropped up to the mouth of James River, one ship bearing a flag at the mizzen. At 5 P. M. they were discovered making great preparation with troops for landing. having a number of boats for the purpose. Finding Craney Island rather weak manned, Captain Tarbell directed Lieutenants Neale. Shubrick and Saunders, with 100 seamen on shore, at II A. M. to a small battery on the N. W. point of the Island. Tues- day 22nd, at the dawn the enemy were discovered land- ing round the point of Nansemond River, said to be 4,000 troops; and at 8 A. M. the barges attempted to

land in front of the Island, out of reach of the shot from the gun-boats, when Lieutenants Neale, Shu- brick and Saunders, with the sailors, and Lieutenant Breckinridge with the marines of the "Constellation," 450 in number, opened the fire, which was so well di- rected, that the enemy were glad to get off, after sink- ing three of their largest boats. One of them called the "Centipede," Admiral Warren's boat. 50 feet in length, carried 75 men, the greater part of whom were lost by her sinking. Twenty soldiers and sailors were saved, and the boats hauled up. I presume there were 40 fell back in the rear of the Island and commenced throwing rockets from Mr. Wise's houses; when gun- boat 67 threw a few shot over that way, they dis- persed and went back.

We have had all day deserters from the army com- ing in: I have myself taken in 25, and eighteen pris- oners belonging to the "Centipede."

The officers of the "Constellation" fired their 18- pounder more like rifle men than artillerists. I never saw such shooting, and seriously believe they saved the Island. In the evening their (the enemy's) boats came around point Nansemond, and at sunset were seen returning to their ships full of men. At dusk they strewed the shore along with fires, in order to run away by the light.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

JOHN CASSIN.

THE HON. WILLIAM JONES. Secretary of the Navy.

The British troops under Sir Sidney Beck- with landed on the east side of Hoffler's Creek; which is the dividing line between Nansemond and Norfolk counties, marched up, took pos- session of Captain Wise's residence, and threw up rockets as mentioned by Commodore Cas- sin. They plundered the house and carried off nearly all the property on the premises. This house is now standing and is owned by Mr. Ballard. Capt. George D. Wise was then the owner,-in fact he owned all the land from Hoffler's Creek to, and including, Craney Island. He was a captain of militia and was probably on duty at the time his house was pillaged. He was the first Wise who emigrated from the Eastern Shore to Norfolk County, and his descendants, Capt. William F. Wise and John S. Wise. are resident and prominent citizens of the Western Branch.

Forrest's History says: "On this memor- able day (June 22nd, 1813). Craney Island was attacked by the British, and defended in a manner that reflected lasting honor upon the noble band of heroes who took part in

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

that important battle, as well as upon the State and country at large. It was indeed a brilliant affair. The cool deliberation and mature judgment : the bravery and enthusiasm which were so strikingly manifested on the occasion by our comparatively small force. and the complete success of the day, all united to render this battle one of the most decisive and victorious that occurred during the war.

"Craney Island lies about five miles from Norfolk, commanding the inward approach from Hampton Roads : and on its defense de- pended the safety of the borough, as well as Portsmouth and the surrounding country. The splendid repulse of the enemy there doubtless prevented a more severe and bloody conflict. if not an exhibition of inhumanity and barbarity similar to that which took place at Hampton shortly after this engagement.

"The fortifications of this small island were ordered by Maj .- Gen. Wade Hampton, during his command of this district, and the works were executed under the direction of Colonel Armistead. The enemy's fleet had come up to Newport News on the Ist and was soon in readiness to cover the intended attack of the boats the following day. The British presented a very formidable and imposing array. There were about twenty vessels, con- sisting of seventy-fours, frigates and trans- ports, and an armed force of about 4,000 men. ".A small battery was erected by the Vir- ginians on the Island, and mounting one 18- pounder, two 24-pounders, and four 6-pound- ers. Our force consisted. principally, of about 400 militia men, one company of riflemen, and two companies of light artillery, one of which was commanded by Capt. Arthur Emmerson. of Portsmouth. Gen. Robert B. Taylor, the commanding officer of the district at this time, increased this small force by a de- tachment of 30 men from Fort Norfolk. com- manded by Capt. Pollard, of the U. S. Army. lieutenant Johnson, of Culpepper, and Ensign .A. Atkinson, of Capt. Hamilton Shield's com- pany of riflemen, from Isle of Wight, with about 30 volunteers, were also added, by order

of the chief officer. Lieutenants Neale. Shu- brick and Saunders, with about 150 seamen, also joined our force, by the direction of Cap- tain Tarbell, of the U. S. Ship 'Constellation.' then at the naval anchorage, and they acted a brave and noble part in the battle. *

Captain Emmerson and Lieut. Thomas God- win each commanded a 24-pounder, and the 18-pounder was commanded by Captain Rooke, who was at this time master of a merchant ship -the Manhattan' of New York-then at an- chor in our harbor. *

* These three pieces of ordnance were served by men from the Constellation.'

"Lieutenant Howle, Sergeants Young and Livingston, and Corporal Moffatt, separately commanded the 6-pounders, at which was sta- tioned the artillery company of Portsmouth. The whole force concentrated at the Island was . in command of Colonel Beatty, assisted by Majors Wagner and Faulkner. *

About 2,600 of the British troops landed at a distance of two miles below the Island, and the action was commenced by that division of the enemy's force. *

* Congreve rockets were thrown upon the Island, from a house on the mainland, within cannon shot of our bat- tery, and owned by Capt. George Wise. * * * Captain Rooke, who was nearest this point, was ordered to fire into the house, the view of which was partially obstructed by a thick growth of trees. AA brisk fire of grape and cannister-shot was immediately opened upon it : and such was the precision with which the guns were served, that the British were completely routed, with a loss of many killed and wound- ed: among the former two of the officers ..

The 18-pounder, served as it was with extraordinary rapidity, and aimed with unerring precision, dealt death and destruction at every fire. *

Meanwhile the enemy * was approaching the Island with 50 barges filled with soldiers to the number of 1,500, ad- vancing in regular column-erder, led en by the Admiral's boat of 24 oars, and 52 feet long with a brass 2-pounder in her by w.

When Captain Emmersen supposed that they

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

were near enough to be reached by his 24- pounder, he cried out, in a loud, stern voice, Now. boys, are you ready?' and the quick re- sponse was 'We are ready.' 'Fire!' rejoined the brave and enthusiastic Captain ; and the bat- tery forthwith opened upon them a dreadful fire of grape and cannister. *

* The foremost boats advanced, however, until they grounded, when so quick and galling was the fire, that they were thrown into the greatest confusion, and forthwith commenced a hasty retreat. * Four or five of the boats * were sunk, one of them the Admiral's barge; and many others were so shattered that it was with difficulty they were kept afloat."

The report of the battle of Craney Island was made to the British Admiralty office by Admiral the Right Honorable Sir John Bor- lase Warren, Bart. and K. B., commander in chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels on the American and West Indian Station :

SAN DOMINGO, HAMPTON ROADS, CHESAPEAKE, JUNE 24TH, 1813.

SIR :-

I request you will inform their lordships, that from information received from the enemy's fortifying Craney Island, and it being necessary to obtain posses- sion of that place to enable the light ships and vessels to proceed up the narrow channel toward Norfolk, to transport the troops over on that side for them to at- tack the new fort and lines in rear of which the "Con- stellation" frigate was anchored, I directed the troops under Sir Sidney Beckwith to be landed upon the con- tinent within nearest point to that place, and a rein- forcement of seamen and marines from the ships; but upon approaching, the island itself being fortified with a number of guns and men from the frigate and the militia, and flanked bv 13 gun-boats, I considered in consequence of the representation of the officer com- manding the troops of the difficulty of their passing over from the land, that the persevering attempt would cost more men than the number with us would permit, as the other forts must have been stormed before the frigate and dock yard could be destroyed; I therefore ordered the troops to be re-embarked.

I am happy to say the loss in the above affair (re- turns of which are enclosed) has not been considerable, and only two boats sunk.

I have to regret, that Captain Hanchett of His Majesty's Ship "Diadem," who volunteered his services, and led the division of boats with great gallantry, was severely wounded by a ball in the thigh.

The officers and men behaved with much bravery. and if it would have been possible to have got at the

enemy, I am persuaded would have soon gained the place.

I have the honor to be, etc., JOHN BORLASE WARREN.

J. WV. CROKER, EsQ.

A general return of killed, wounded and missing in the affair near Craney Island June 22d, 1813. Total 3 killed, 8 wounded, 52 missing.

SIDNEY BECKWITH, Q. M. G.

The negro stealing of some of the British, and the cruel manner in which they tore them away from their homes aroused general indig- nation. Captain Lloyd of His Majesty's Ship "Plantagenet" was notorious in this infamous warfare.

The Norfolk Herald of that day comment- ing on negro stealing said: "Since the war it has been our lot to notice many acts of our enemy, perpetrated in direct violation of the laws of nations and of civilized usage. This has been as much a subject of regret as indig- nation with us. The customary evils of war are sufficient scourges for the human race. but to aggravate them, and that without the shadow of an excuse, is abominable. The mode of warfare pursued by the enemy in the Chesa- peake, has been ignoble and highly reprobatory, particularly as relates to the kidnapping of negroes.

"If negroes desert from their masters and fly to the enemy, it is no fault of the enemy if he keeps them ; but to go on shore and take them away by force is a most unjustifiable pro- ceeding. To take cattle, or other stock. would be consistent with the usage of civilized war- fare; but to take negroes, who are human beings; to tear them forever from their kin- dred and connections, is what we should never expect from a Christian nation, especially one that has done so much to abolish the "Slave Trade." There are negroes in Virginia, and ! we believe in all the Southern States, who have their interests and affections as strongly en- grafted in their hearts, as the whites, and who feel the sacred ties of filial, parental and con- jugal affection, equally strong, and who are warmly attached to their owners and scenes of their nativity. To those no inducement which

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

the enemy could offer would be sufficient to tempt them away. To drag them away, then, by force, would be the greatest ernelty. Yes, it is reserved for England, who boasts of her re- ligion and love of humanity. to practice this piece of cruelty, so repugnant to the dictates of civilization.'

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 8

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054