Gloucester's Story
1774-1781 Click the squares on the tmeline to learn more about each event
Mid-Sep 1781
Nov 7, 1774
Aug 2, 1781
Oct 3, 1781
Allied Forces Move into Gloucester
The York River Tea Party
British Forces Fortify Yorktown & Gloucester Point
The Battle of the Hook
Oct 19, 1781
July 14, 1774
Sept 5, 1781
Sept 24-25, 1781
July 8-10, 1776
The Second Surrender
Gloucester Resolves
The Battle of the Capes
Lauzun’s Legion Arrives in Gloucester
The Battle of Cricket Hill (Gwynn’s Island)
The Battle of the Hook
October 3, 1781
The Battle of the Hook was the largest cavalry engagement of the American Revolution. American and French forces defeated British troops led by Banastre Tarleton near Gloucester Point, cutting off British foraging and retreat, which helped hasten Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown. The battle strategically trapped the British and ended British control in the area.
The York River Tea Party
November 7, 1774:
Gloucester County supported Virginia’s 1774 boycott of English goods and authorized its own tea party in the York River in solidarity. During the Yorktown Tea Party, Gloucester's committee of safety arrived too late to dump tea but endorsed the act, highlighting the county’s active Revolutionary stance across the river from Yorktown.
"Yorktown Tea Party" by Sidney King
The Battle of the Capes
September 5, 1781
The Battle of the Capes was a decisive naval engagement where Admiral De Grasse's French fleet defeated the British Royal Navy, preventing Cornwallis's reinforcement or evacuation at Yorktown. The naval battle took place near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, between Cape Charles and Cape Henry.
The Second Surrender
October 19, 1781:
The Second Surrender at Gloucester Point occurred one hour after the British surrender at Yorktown. It involved the British garrison at Gloucester Point surrendering to the combined American and French forces, marking the capitulation of one-third of British forces in North America, solidifying the end of major Revolutionary War fighting.
British Forces Fortify Yorktown & Gloucester Point
August 2, 1781
On August 2, 1781, General Lord Charles Cornwallis landed his British force along the York River, establishing positions at Yorktown and Gloucester Point. Though dissatisfied with the site, he trusted nearby Royal Navy support and began constructing defensive earthworks.
Mid-September 1781
Allied forces move into Gloucester in an effort to stop the British from foraging and raiding from their stronghold at Gloucester Point.
Gloucester Resolves
July 14, 1774:
The Gloucester Resolves were adopted on July 14, 1774, at Gloucester Courthouse when prominent residents met and declared opposition to British policies and support for colonial rights, reflecting growing revolutionary sentiment in anticipation of American independence.
The Battle of Cricket Hill (Gwynn’s Island)
July 8-10, 1776
The Battle of Cricket Hill saw Virginia militia, including Gloucester forces under General Andrew Lewis, shell British loyalists on Gwynn’s Island led by Lord Dunmore. The Gloucester Militia played a key role in forcing Dunmore's evacuation from Gwynn’s Island and ultimately the Virginia Colony. During the Revolution, Cricket Hill and Gwynn’s Island were in Gloucester but became part of Mathews County in 1791.
Lauzun’s Legion Arrives in Gloucester
September 24-25, 1781
Lauzun’s legion arrives in Gloucester to support Virginia militia encamped near Gloucester Courthouse and Ware Church. Under the command of the Duke de Lauzun, his legion of mounted soldiers numbered 600.
Gloucester's Story
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Transcript
Gloucester's Story
1774-1781 Click the squares on the tmeline to learn more about each event
Mid-Sep 1781
Nov 7, 1774
Aug 2, 1781
Oct 3, 1781
Allied Forces Move into Gloucester
The York River Tea Party
British Forces Fortify Yorktown & Gloucester Point
The Battle of the Hook
Oct 19, 1781
July 14, 1774
Sept 5, 1781
Sept 24-25, 1781
July 8-10, 1776
The Second Surrender
Gloucester Resolves
The Battle of the Capes
Lauzun’s Legion Arrives in Gloucester
The Battle of Cricket Hill (Gwynn’s Island)
The Battle of the Hook
October 3, 1781
The Battle of the Hook was the largest cavalry engagement of the American Revolution. American and French forces defeated British troops led by Banastre Tarleton near Gloucester Point, cutting off British foraging and retreat, which helped hasten Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown. The battle strategically trapped the British and ended British control in the area.
The York River Tea Party
November 7, 1774:
Gloucester County supported Virginia’s 1774 boycott of English goods and authorized its own tea party in the York River in solidarity. During the Yorktown Tea Party, Gloucester's committee of safety arrived too late to dump tea but endorsed the act, highlighting the county’s active Revolutionary stance across the river from Yorktown.
"Yorktown Tea Party" by Sidney King
The Battle of the Capes
September 5, 1781
The Battle of the Capes was a decisive naval engagement where Admiral De Grasse's French fleet defeated the British Royal Navy, preventing Cornwallis's reinforcement or evacuation at Yorktown. The naval battle took place near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, between Cape Charles and Cape Henry.
The Second Surrender
October 19, 1781:
The Second Surrender at Gloucester Point occurred one hour after the British surrender at Yorktown. It involved the British garrison at Gloucester Point surrendering to the combined American and French forces, marking the capitulation of one-third of British forces in North America, solidifying the end of major Revolutionary War fighting.
British Forces Fortify Yorktown & Gloucester Point
August 2, 1781
On August 2, 1781, General Lord Charles Cornwallis landed his British force along the York River, establishing positions at Yorktown and Gloucester Point. Though dissatisfied with the site, he trusted nearby Royal Navy support and began constructing defensive earthworks.
Mid-September 1781
Allied forces move into Gloucester in an effort to stop the British from foraging and raiding from their stronghold at Gloucester Point.
Gloucester Resolves
July 14, 1774:
The Gloucester Resolves were adopted on July 14, 1774, at Gloucester Courthouse when prominent residents met and declared opposition to British policies and support for colonial rights, reflecting growing revolutionary sentiment in anticipation of American independence.
The Battle of Cricket Hill (Gwynn’s Island)
July 8-10, 1776
The Battle of Cricket Hill saw Virginia militia, including Gloucester forces under General Andrew Lewis, shell British loyalists on Gwynn’s Island led by Lord Dunmore. The Gloucester Militia played a key role in forcing Dunmore's evacuation from Gwynn’s Island and ultimately the Virginia Colony. During the Revolution, Cricket Hill and Gwynn’s Island were in Gloucester but became part of Mathews County in 1791.
Lauzun’s Legion Arrives in Gloucester
September 24-25, 1781
Lauzun’s legion arrives in Gloucester to support Virginia militia encamped near Gloucester Courthouse and Ware Church. Under the command of the Duke de Lauzun, his legion of mounted soldiers numbered 600.