Battle of Aquia Creek

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Battle of Aquia Creek Began: May 29, 1861 Ended: June 1, 1861 Location: Stafford County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Blockade of the Chesapeake Bay May-June 1861 Outcome: Inconclusive Combatants U.S. Naval force, Chesapeake Bay Confederates defending terminus of the Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Commanders James H. Ward Commander, USN Daniel Ruggles Brigadier General, CSA Strength USS Thomas Freeborn USS Anacostia USS Resolute USS Pawnee Battery garrison Casualties 10 total (US and CS) 10 total (US and CS)

The Battle of Aquia Creek was a minor engagement which lasted May 29-June 1, 1861 in Stafford County, Virginia. Aware of the construction of fortifications at Aquia Creek to protect the northern terminus of the Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad to the Confederate capitol of Richmond, four Union naval vessels bombarded the batteries near the mouth of Aquia Creek for several hours on May 29, and again four five hours on June 1, without results. The Confederates, fearing a landing of troops, brought in some reinforcements and constructed two more batteries (one on a bluff; the other at Brent Point), but the landing did not materialize.

Despite the increase in defenses - including the laying of mines in the nearby waterways - the batteries at Aquia Creek were not threatened for over a year; the garrison there was withdrawn completely by General Joseph E. Johnston to augment his own forces in preparation for the Peninsula Campaign.

v • d • e Blockade of the Chesapeake Bay, May-June 1861 Sewell's Point -- Aquia Creek -- Bethel Church    Discuss this campaign of the American Civil War at CivilWarTalk.com - The Eastern Theater Forum

v • d • e Battles of 1861 Eastern Theater Sewell's Point--Aquia Creek-- Philippi-- Bethel Church-- Hoke's Run-- Rich Mountain-- Corrick's Ford-- Blackburn's Ford-- 1st Bull Run--Kessler's Cross Lanes-- Hatteras Inlet Batteries-- Carnifex Ferry-- Cheat Mountain-- Greenbrier River-- Ball's Bluff-- Camp Allegheny-- Dranesville Western Theater Barbourville-- Camp Wildcat-- Belmont-- Ivy Mountain-- Rowlett's Station Trans-Mississippi Theater 1st Boonville-- Cole's Camp-- Carthage-- Mesilla-- Wilson's Creek-- Dry Wood Creek-- 1st Lexington-- Liberty-- Fredericktown-- 1st Springfield-- Round Mountain -- Chusto-Talasah-- Blackwater Creek-- Chustenahlah-- Mount Zion Church Lower Seaboard Theater Fort Sumter-- Santa Rosa Island Naval Cockle Creek