Battle of Drewry's Bluff Facts

May 15, 1862

Drewry's Bluff Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Portrait of John F. Mackie

For his valor during the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, Corporal John F. Mackie became the first U. S. Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. This portrait of Mackie is from circa 1910. [Wikimedia Commons]

Also Known As

  • Battle of Fort Darling

Date and Location

  • May 15, 1862
  • Chesterfield County, Virginia

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

  • Commander John Rodgers

Principal Confederate Commanders

  • Commander Ebeneezer Farrand

Union Forces Engaged

  • James River Squadron

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Fort Darling Squadron

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Undetermined

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Undetermined

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 24 killed or wounded

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 15 killed or wounded

Result

  • Confederate victory

Significance

  • The James River Squadron consisted of two wooden warships, the Aroostook and Port Royal, two ironclads, the Monitor and Galena, and a Revenue Cutter Service gunboat, the E.A. Stevens (originally the USS Naugatuck), which had been refitted with iron plating.
  • The Confederate victory at the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff spared Richmond from the threat of being reduced by U.S. Naval artillery.
  • For his valor during the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, Corporal John F. Mackie became the first U.S. Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Timeline of the Peninsula Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Peninsula Campaign in order. The battles that occurred from June 25 to July 1, 1862, are collectively known as the Seven Days Battles.