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Battle of Jersey
Part of American War of Independence
Date January 6, 1778 Location Saint Helier, Jersey Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britian	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).

On January 6, 1781, a few hundred French troops under Baron Phillipe de Rullecourt landed unnoticed on the island of Jersey. They marched quickly to Saint Helier and captured the Royal Square and the island's governor, Moses Corbet. De Rullecourt convinced Corbet that thousands of French troops had landed and Corbet surrendered, ordering 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 refused to surrener, and Pierson marched his troops to the Royal Square. Peirson was killed early in the battle, but his troops, spurred on by Lieutenant Dumaresq, outflanked the French forces and defeated them. De Rullecourt was also killed in 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 image 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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