Battle of Cockpit Point

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Battle of Cockpit Point
Part of the American Civil War
Date January 3, 1862 Location Prince William County, Virginia Result Inconclusive
Combatants
United States of America	Confederate States of America
Commanders
Robert H. Wyman	Samuel G. French
Strength
Two gunboats	Battery garrison
Casualties
None	None

Blockade of the Potomac River
Cockpit Point

The Battle of Cockpit Point, also known as Batteries at Evansport, 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 Bull Run, the Confederate States Army established a defensive line from Centreville along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River. In October 1861, the Confederates constructed batteries at Evansport, Freestone Point, Shipping Point, and Cockpit Point to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington. By mid-December, the Confederates had 37 heavy guns in position along the river. On January 3, 1862, Cockpit Point was shelled by USS Anacostia and USS Yankee, with neither side gaining an advantage. Union ships approached the point again on March 9, but discovered that the Confederates had abandoned their works and retired closer to Richmond, after effectively sealing off the Potomac River for nearly five months.

[edit] References

• National Park Service battle description