Battle of Suffolk

Battle of Suffolk Norfleet House Battery Began: April 13, 1863 Ended: April 15, 1863 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Longstreet’s Tidewater Operations Outcome: Inconclusive Combatants Commanders John Peck Brigadier General, USA James Longstreet Lieutenant General, CSA Strength Casualties

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. (NPS summary)