Case 1 of "The Enemy Has Disappeared from Our Waters" Exhibit
Shown here is an image of case 1 of the exhibit "The Enemy Has Disappeared from Our Waters", located in the Special Collections Research Center Lobby in Swem Library at the College of William & Mary on display from December 19th 2012 to April 30th 2013.
The following is a transcription of the labels in this case:
Southeastern Virginia
The War of 1812 began to affect Southeastern Virginia during the summer of 1813. The British Navy blockaded the East Coast of the United States, restricting trade and hurting agricultural exports. They also conducted raids along the coast, but were unable to fully dedicate their armies due to the fact that they were still fighting Napoleon in Europe. In the largest battle of this part of the war, British soldiers attempted to land on Craney Island on 22 June 1813 as a precursor to their capture of Norfolk; however, they were repulsed by the forces of General Robert Taylor, a William & Mary graduate. Two days later, the British took revenge by burning the city of Hampton and continued their raids further up the Chesapeake Bay.
The main advantage the British had over the American armed forces was their navy. Judith Galt wrote to her brother that she had a hard time trying to find passage across the Chesapeake Bay due to British ships. After the destruction of Hampton, St. George Tucker wrote to his daughter that the British ships had left the area around Williamsburg after destroying more property.
William Browne was a doctor in Hampton during the town’s destruction and provided Alexander D. Galt with a description of the city. Galt asked if more doctors were needed, but Browne replied that the primary damage was to buildings and animals.
Papers defending General Robert B. Taylor's actions in the defense of Craney Island, off Norfolk, April-December 1813, James Barron Papers, Mss. 65 B27, Box 2, Folder 17
While the British had the advantage on the sea, the American army and militias prepared for land battles. Pleasants Murphy writes of an attempted raid on British ships in the York River, during which the attacking ship stayed out of range of their rifles.
From the Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary. See swem.wm.edu/research/special-collections for further information and assistance.
Case 1 of "The Enemy Has Disappeared from Our Waters" Exhibit
Shown here is an image of case 1 of the exhibit "The Enemy Has Disappeared from Our Waters", located in the Special Collections Research Center Lobby in Swem Library at the College of William & Mary on display from December 19th 2012 to April 30th 2013.
The following is a transcription of the labels in this case:
Southeastern Virginia
The War of 1812 began to affect Southeastern Virginia during the summer of 1813. The British Navy blockaded the East Coast of the United States, restricting trade and hurting agricultural exports. They also conducted raids along the coast, but were unable to fully dedicate their armies due to the fact that they were still fighting Napoleon in Europe. In the largest battle of this part of the war, British soldiers attempted to land on Craney Island on 22 June 1813 as a precursor to their capture of Norfolk; however, they were repulsed by the forces of General Robert Taylor, a William & Mary graduate. Two days later, the British took revenge by burning the city of Hampton and continued their raids further up the Chesapeake Bay.
The main advantage the British had over the American armed forces was their navy. Judith Galt wrote to her brother that she had a hard time trying to find passage across the Chesapeake Bay due to British ships. After the destruction of Hampton, St. George Tucker wrote to his daughter that the British ships had left the area around Williamsburg after destroying more property.
William Browne was a doctor in Hampton during the town’s destruction and provided Alexander D. Galt with a description of the city. Galt asked if more doctors were needed, but Browne replied that the primary damage was to buildings and animals.
Papers defending General Robert B. Taylor's actions in the defense of Craney Island, off Norfolk, April-December 1813, James Barron Papers, Mss. 65 B27, Box 2, Folder 17
While the British had the advantage on the sea, the American army and militias prepared for land battles. Pleasants Murphy writes of an attempted raid on British ships in the York River, during which the attacking ship stayed out of range of their rifles.
From the Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary. See swem.wm.edu/research/special-collections for further information and assistance.