Battle of Suffolk (Norfleet House)

The Battle of Norfleet House took place from April 13 to April 15, 1863, as part of the Siege of Suffolk.

Battle of Norfleet House
Part of the Siege of Suffolk
Map of Suffolk Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program
Suffolk Battlefield
DateApril 14, 1863 (1863-04-14) – April 15, 1863 (1863-04-15) [1]
Location
Suffolk, Virginia
36.75968°N 76.5671°W / 36.75968; -76.5671
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States John J. Peck[1] Confederate States of America James Longstreet[1]
Strength
17,000 [2] 20,000 [2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown [3]

Battle

In cooperation with Major General D. H. Hill's advance on Washington, North Carolina, Longstreet with divisions under Major Generals John Bell Hood and George Pickett besieged the Union garrison at Suffolk commanded by Brigadier General John J. 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 the USS 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.

References
  1. National Park Service battle description
  2. CWSAC Report Update
  3. National Park Service battle description cites 1,160 casualties for the entire siege


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