Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War SoldierThe river around Farrar’s island played an important role in the American Revolutionary War.

On April 21, 1781, British General Benedict Arnold surprised the Virginia Navy at Osborne’s Landing in the old river channel by Farrar’s Island (the site of today’s Henricus Historical Park). 

Though the American fleet consisted of approximately 20 ships, they were no match for the cannon fire from the river banks on Farrar’s Island.  It soon became apparent to James Maxwell, the American commander, that the Americans could not remain where they were and expect to survive the onslaught.  He ordered a retreat.  Those vessels that could not be moved were set afire.  As the British continued to fire upon the American ships, some crew members tried to escape in boats, while others jumped overboard in an attempt to swim to the opposite shore of the James River.

Without any ships of their own to pursue the escaping vessels, the British had to content themselves with the nine ships they either sank or captured.  Listed among those vessels lost at Osborne’s Landing were the flagship Tempest and the lesser ships Apollo, Jefferson, and American Fabious.  The hulls of several of these are believed to remain in the silt on the river bottom.