Victoria Boulevard Historic District in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
British Approach to Hampton / The War of 1812
British Approach to Hampton. Following the British defeat at Craney Island on 22 June 1813, Adm. Sir John B. Warren sought revenge and ordered Adm. Sir George Cockburn and Gen. Sir Sidney Beckwith to attack Hampton. This port town was defended by Maj. Stapleton Crutchfield’s 436 militiamen and a 7-gun water battery. During the evening of 24 June Beckwith’s 2,400 men landed near here at Indian Creek. The next day, Beckwith’s troops engaged Crutchfield’s command on the road to Hampton. Capt. Servant’s company of riflemen slowed the British advance until Beckwith could use artillery to force Servant’s withdrawal. Hampton was then open to British occupation.
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.
Erected 2011 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WY-104.)
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 (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1813.
Location. 37° 1.456′ N, 76° 20.59′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in the Victoria Boulevard Historic District. Marker is at the intersection of South King Street and Settlers Landing Road (U.S. 60), on the left when traveling south on South King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton VA 23669, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hampton Carousel (within shouting distance of this marker); Hampton (within shouting distance of this marker); Eighteenth-Century Hampton (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninteenth-Century Hampton (within shouting distance of this marker); Seventeenth-Century Hampton (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Hampton Carousel (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Katherine G. Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Twentieth-Century Hampton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.