Battle of Rappahannock River

Battle of Rappahannock River
Part of the War of 1812
The reconstructed Lynx off California being saluted by Lady Washington.
Date April 3, 1813 Location Rappahannock River, Virginia Result British victory
Belligerents
United States	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
William S. Stafford	James Polkinghorne
Strength
4 schooners Marines and Sailors	17 armed boats Marines and Sailors
Casualties and losses
6 killed 10 wounded ~100 captured 4 schooners captured	2 killed 11 wounded 2 armed boats sunk

The Battle of Rappahannock River was fought in 1813 during the War of 1812. A British force blockading the Rappahannock River of Virginia sent several hundred men in boats to attack four American privateers. Ultimately the British were victorious and the American ships were captured.

On April 1, 1813, a British squadron consisting of the ships-of-the-line San Domingo and Marlborough, four frigates Acasta, Narcissus, Maidstone and Statira, two brigs, Mohawk and Fantome and one schooner, Highflyer blockaded the Rappahannock from Lynhaven Bay. They held several American prizes and were out to capture more so the British commanders prepared a cutting out expedition, where small boats attempt to capture larger vessels at anchor. On the following day, the British dispatched seventeen, pinnaces, barges, launches, and other boats with a few carronades to sail around the bay. Each boat carried up to fifty marines or sailors mainly armed with steel, Lieutenant James Polkinghorne was in command. While abreast of Windmill Point at about 4:00 pm, the expedition sighted five American vessels and chased them all through the night until losing sight as they passed a turn in the river. The British had difficulty in rowing up the Rappahannock so during the descent twelve of the boats fell far behind leaving only five British craft, one 12-pounder and 105 officers and men to make the attack.

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