US Researchโ€บConflictsโ€บCivil Warโ€บVirginiaโ€บSuffolk
Civil War

Suffolk

1863
Virginia
Era
Civil War
Year
1863
Location
Virginia
Status
Historical record
Part ofEastern Theater โ€บThe Civil War โ€บ
The Battle

History & Significance

Suffolk was a Civil War engagement fought in Virginia, 1863. The outcome was inconclusive.

In cooperation with D.H. Hill's advance on Washington, North Carolina, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet with Hood's and Pickett's divisions besieged the Union garrison at Suffolk commanded by Brig. Gen. John Peck. The Union works were formidable and manned by 25,000 men, opposed to Longstreet's 20,000. On April 13, the Confederate troops pushed their left flank to the Nansemond River and constructed a battery on Hill's Point, which closed off the garrison to Union shipping. On April 14, Union gunboats attempted to run the batteries at the Norfleet House slightly upstream, but Mount Washington was crippled. The Federals, at the same time, constructed batteries to command the Confederate works at Norfleet House. On April 15, these batteries were unmasked and opened fire, driving the Confederates out of this important position.

Result
Inconclusive victory
Forces engaged
Divisions (45,000 total)
Casualties
(1,160 entire siege)
Around this battlefield

Nearby Civil War engagements

Action, Suffolk, South Quay
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmish near Suffolk
1864 ยท 0 mi away
Expedition from Suffolk
1862 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmish, Suffolk
1862 ยท 0 mi away
Expedition from Suffolk
1862 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmish, Suffolk
1862 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmishes near Suffolk and at Providence Church
1862 ยท 0 mi away
Reconnaissance from Suffolk
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Action, Suffolk
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Action, Edenton Road, Suffolk
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmishes, Suffolk
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Action, Reed's Ferry, Providence Church Road, Suffolk, Nansemond River
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Scout from Suffolk to South Mills
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Skirmish near Suffolk
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Expedition from Suffolk to Blackwater
1863 ยท 0 mi away
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Suffolk take place?
Suffolk took place in 1863.
Where was Suffolk fought?
Suffolk was fought in Virginia, United States.
What was the significance of Suffolk?
In cooperation with D.H. Hill's advance on Washington, North Carolina, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet with Hood's and Pickett's divisions besieged the Union garrison at Suffolk commanded by Brig. Gen. John Peck. The Union works were formidable and manned by 25,000 men, opposed to Longstreet's 20,000. On
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Suffolk

This page covers Suffolk. A full Aubrey report for the area pulls together this battle alongside historic sites, land records, and everything else the record holds within a few miles:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Suffolk report
Or see a real report first
Protected heritage nearby

Historic Sites near Suffolk

Harrell, Joel E., Son
Industrial ยท 1.4 mi
Cedar Hill Cemetery
Early Republic ยท 1.9 mi
Riddick House
Industrial ยท 1.9 mi
Suffolk Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Listed ยท 2 mi
Suffolk Historic District (Boundary Increase III)
Listed ยท 2.3 mi
All battles in Virginiaโ€บCivil Warconflicts โ€บHistoric sites in Virginiaโ€บ
Source

The account on this page is written by Aubrey Research from cited sources. Wikipedia is cited as a reference; its text is not reproduced.

Aubrey Research

Explore the history around Virginia

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in the US, drawing on NRHP records, battlefield archives, census history and geological data to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near VirginiaView a free sample report
All Civil War Battles