Battles of Suffolk I & II

Suffolk I

OTHER NAME: Fort Huger, Hill's Point

CAMPAIGN: Longstreet's Tidewater Operations

DATE(S): March-April 1863

PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Brigadier General John Peck [US] Major General James Longstreet [CS]

FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)

ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)

DESCRIPTION:

On April 19, a Union infantry force landed on Hill's Point at the confluence of the forks of the Nansemond River. This amphibious force assaulted Fort Huger from the rear, quickly capturing its garrison, thus reopening the river to Union shipping. On April 24, Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran's Union division mounted a reconnaissance-in-force from Fort Dix against Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett's extreme right flank. The Federals approached cautiously and were easily repulsed. On April 29, Gen. Robert E. Lee directed Longstreet to disengage from Suffolk and rejoin the Army of Northern Virginia at Fredericksburg. By May 4, the last of Longstreet's command had crossed the Blackwater River en route to Richmond.

RESULTS: Indecisive

Suffolk II

OTHER NAME: Norfleet House Battery

CAMPAIGN: Longstreet's Tidewater Operations

DATE(S): March-April 1863

PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Brigadier General John Peck [US] Major General James Longstreet [CS]

FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)

ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)

DESCRIPTION:

In cooperation with D.H. Hill's advance on Washington, North Carolina, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet with Hood's and Pickett's divisions besieged the Union garrison at Suffolk commanded by Brig. Gen. John Peck. The Union works were formidable and manned by 25,000 men, opposed to Longstreet's 20,000. On April 13, the Confederate troops pushed their left flank to the Nansemond River and constructed a battery on Hill's Point, which closed off the garrison to Union shipping. On April 14, Union gunboats attempted to run the batteries at the Norfleet House slightly upstream, but Mount Washington was crippled. The Federals, at the same time, constructed batteries to command the Confederate works at Norfleet House. On April 15, these batteries were unmasked and opened fire, driving the Confederates out of this important position.

RESULTS:

Indecisive