Cockpit Point
Freestone Point, Shipping Point Virginia

American Civil War
January 3, 1862

After victory at First Manassas, the Confederate army established a defensive line from Centreville along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River.

In October, the Confederates constructed batteries at Evansport, Freestone Point, Shipping Point, and Cockpit Point to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington. By mid-December, the Confederates had 37 heavy guns in position along the river.

On January 3, Cockpit Point was shelled by Anacostia and Yankee with neither side gaining an advantage. Union ships approached the point again on March 9 but discovered that the Confederates had abandoned their works and retired closer to Richmond, after effectively sealing off the Potomac River for nearly five months.

Result(s): Inconclusive

Location: Prince William County

Campaign: Blockade of the Potomac River (1861-62)

Date(s): January 3, 1862

Principal Commanders: Lt. R.H. Wyman [US]; Brigadier General S.G. French [CS]

Forces Engaged: Two gunboats [US]; battery garrison [CS]

Estimated Casualties: None



Virginia State Battle Map 1862
State Battle Maps
Civil War Submarines
Confederate Johhny Cake Recipes
Civil War Picture Album
Civil War Summary
Clara Barton - American Red Cross
Kids Zone Underground Railroad
American Civil War Exhibits
Civil War Timeline
Women in the War
 
Web AmericanCivilWar.com
Volcano-Pictures.INFO

Civil War History Documentary DVD Movie Titles

Check out American Civil War visitors top DVD picks

Civil War Combat:
America's Bloodiest Battles
With beautifully shot footage of reenactors, Civil War Combat illustrates aspects of four particular Civil War battles that are rightfully considered legendary. Filmed on location, the reenactors depict the violent mayhem of the hornet's nest at Shiloh, the valiant charge on the sunken road at Antietam, the carnage in the wheat field at Gettysburg, and the brutal fighting at Cold Harbor. Produced by the History Channel, the episodes all benefit from insightful appearances by historians as well as rangers from the National Park Service.

Guns of the Civil War


Civil War Journal -
The Conflict Begins
The battles have been documented, the generals lionized. We have seen the turning points and the sacrifices. Now let Civil War Journal take you deeper, into the personal stories. Join host Danny Glover as he takes you through diaries, photographs, and factual re-enactments. Finally, a Civil War program that makes you feel the private and intimate side of the great conflict.


Civil War Minutes
Volumn 1
In Civil War Minutes - Union Volume 1, you will learn about the lives of soldiers through their handwritten letters to home. Also find out what life was like from the perspective of the average foot soldier through never-before-seen photographs, artifacts and rare paintings and engravings. Find out what is the General Beauregard Pipe; what is the Report of Samuel Weaver and how it was related to Gettysburg; what is a musket and much more!

Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress.