Craney Island

On the morning of June 22, 1813, British forces attacked the American position on Craney Island.  The attack consisted of a flanking movement across Craney Island and a direct assault from landing barges. The American artillery drove off the British flank attack and the landing barges ran aground on the shoal water off the island. British soldiers who left the barges became stuck in the mud and subject to American artillery and musket fire. With the failed attacks, the British retreated.

The battle was a very important setback for the British and saved Norfolk from capture. It also sparked the plundering of Hampton by the British as retaliation for the alleged killing of helpless soldiers in the mud at Craney Island by the Americans.