Near Callao in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The War of 1812 / British Attacks at Kinsale and Mundy Point
The War of 1812. Impressment of Americans into British service and the violation of American ships were among the causes of America’s War of 1812 with the British, which lasted until 1815. Beginning in 1813, Virginians suffered from a British naval blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and from British troops’ plundering the countryside by the Bay and along the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers. The Virginia militia deflected a British attempt to take Norfolk in 1813, and engaged British forces throughout the war. By the end of the war, more than 2000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia had gained their freedom aboard British ships.
British Attacks at Kinsale and Mundy Point. Two miles east on 3 Aug. 1814, 500 British marines and seamen under Adm. Sir George Cockburn landed at Mundy’s Point and Kinsale. Opposing the enemy at the Point were Capt. William Henderson and thirty Northumberland county militiamen. Henderson’s company was forced to retreat to the county courthouse. Later that day, British forces took Kinsale, burned the town, and seized tobacco. Three days later, they began raids along the Coan River. The British troops included about fifty formerly enslaved African Americans, who were among the thousands who gained freedom by fighting or working for the British.
Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-70.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 3, 1814.
Location. 38° 0.106′ N, 76° 35.094′ W. Marker is near Callao, Virginia, in Northumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of Hampton Hall Road (Virginia Route 202) and Locust Lane (Virginia Route 675), on the right when traveling west on Hampton Hall Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Callao VA 22435, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. British Attacks at Kinsale and Muddy Point / The War of 1812 (here, next to this marker); Northumberland County / Westmoreland County (approx. half a mile away); Kinsale (approx. 1.6 miles away); Relentless Raids (approx. 2 miles away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 2 miles away); “O! say can you see…” (approx. 2 miles away); Historic District of Kinsale, Virginia (approx. 2 miles away); Chambers Stamp Factory (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Callao.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.