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Battle of Deserted House

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Battle of the American Civil War
Battle of Deserted House
Part of the American Civil War
DateJanuary 30, 1863
LocationSuffolk, Virginia
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Michael Corcoran Roger Atkinson Pryor
Strength
8,000 1,800
Casualties and losses
22 killed
108 wounded
12 missing
142 total		 8 killed
31 wounded
39 total
Longstreet's Tidewater Operations

The battle of Deserted House, or the Battle of Kelly’s Store, was a minor engagement during the American Civil War in southeast Virginia.

Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. Roger A. Pryor crossed the Blackwater River into southeast Virginia on a foraging expedition. Maj. Gen. John J. Peck commanded the Union garrison at Suffolk. Peck organized a force to drive Pryor out of the area and assigned Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran to its command. Anticipating an attack from the Union garrison, Pryor prepared his forces for battle near Kelly’s Store, located 8 miles west of Suffolk.

Corcoran’s cavalry engaged Pryor’s forces near a place called Deserted House. The Confederates retreated two miles before making another stand. The 13th Indiana Infantry charged and routed this new line. A final stand by the Confederates was made along the Blackwater River which was broken by the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Although suffering far more casualties than the Confederates (142-39), the Union forces prevailed. Corcoran's troops returned to Suffolk the following day.

In April, a larger foraging effort and demonstration against Suffolk was carried out by Lt. Gen. James Longstreet.

References

  1. ^ "Browse | Cornell University Library Making of America Collection". collections.library.cornell.edu.
  2. "THE BATTLE OF DESERTED HOUSE; Full Details of the Repulse of the Rebels Under Pryor. CORRECTED LIST OF CASUALTIES". The New York Times. 3 February 1863.

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