Blackwater, Va., June 16 and 17, 1863

The Battle of Blackwater, also known as the Battle of Franklin, occurred on June 16 and 17, 1863, during the American Civil War. The engagement was part of Confederate General James Longstreet’s Tidewater Campaign, an effort to disrupt Union supply lines and advance towards the Union-held city of Suffolk, Virginia.

Longstreet’s forces, numbering around 20,000 men, encountered a smaller Union force of around 2,500 soldiers near Blackwater River Bridge in southeastern Virginia. The Union troops, under the command of Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, had been sent to protect the bridge and prevent Confederate forces from crossing the river.

The first day of the battle saw fierce fighting as the Confederate forces attempted to dislodge the Union troops from their defensive positions. Despite being outnumbered, the Union soldiers were able to hold off the Confederate advance and inflict heavy casualties on the Confederate troops.

The second day of the battle saw the Confederates renew their attack, but they were once again repulsed by the Union forces. The Union soldiers were eventually forced to withdraw after their ammunition supplies began to run low, but they had successfully delayed the Confederate advance and prevented them from crossing the Blackwater River.

The Battle of Blackwater was a significant engagement in the larger context of the Civil War. It highlighted the importance of controlling key transportation routes and demonstrated the bravery and determination of both Union and Confederate soldiers. The battle also had important strategic implications, as it slowed the Confederate advance and prevented them from achieving their objectives in southeastern Virginia.

Overall, the Battle of Blackwater was a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the American Civil War. It is remembered as one of the many important battles that shaped the course of the war and the history of the United States.