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Battle of Jersey
Part of American War of Independence
"Death of Major Peirson" by John Singleton Copley
Date January 6, 1781 Location Saint Helier, Jersey Result Decisive British Victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Major Francis Peirson	Baron Phillipe de Rullecourt
Strength
unknown (prob. ~600)	unknown (prob. 500-1000)
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

The Battle of Jersey was a battle during the American War of Independence and was technically the last battle fought on British soil (coming after the Battle of Culloden in 1745). It was the last attempt by France to invade Jersey militarily.

On January 6, 1781, a few hundred French troops under Baron Phillipe de Rullecourt landed unnoticed at La Rocque, Grouville, in Jersey. The adverse state of the tides meant that not all the troops, nor the equipment could be disembarked. They marched quickly to Saint Helier and surprised the Island's governor, Moses Corbet, in bed in Government House. De Rullecourt convinced Corbet that thousands of French troops had already overwhelmed Jersey. Corbet, unable to ascertain the true situation, surrendered. He was taken to the Royal Court building in the Royal Square and was persuaded to order Elizabeth Castle's commander Captain Mulcaster and 24-year old Major Francis Pierson's troops at Saint Peter's Barracks to surrender as well. However, both officers, who were better informed as to the real military situation than Corbet, refused to surrender. Pierson then marched his troops to the Royal Square and engaged the French forces.

Peirson was killed early in the battle, but his troops, spurred on by Lieutenant Dumaresq, outflanked the French forces and defeated them. Baron de Rullecourt was also mortally wounded in the course of the battle.

Later, parts of the 83rd Regiment of Foot attacked the French landing point at La Rocque and the French withdrew.

John Singleton Copley painted a dramatized version of the death of Major Peirson. That painting now appears on Jersey's 10 pound note and is in the Tate Gallery.

British units that took place in the battle include the 71st and 95th Regiments of Foot, the 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot, and the Jersey Militia.

Sources

• Jersey Heritage Trust page
• BBC Page
• BBC My Island page
• Tate Gallery
• Regiments.org
• About Jersey
• JerseyWeb battle summary

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