Yorktown Campaign > Raid on Richmond

Raid on Richmond

Background

The Raid on Richmond, also known as the Burning of Richmond, took place during the American Revolutionary War on January 5, 1781. Led by British General Benedict Arnold, who had defected to the British side, the raid aimed to disrupt the American war effort by targeting the capital of Virginia, Richmond.

Background:

1. Benedict Arnold's Defection:

   • Benedict Arnold, once a respected American general, defected to the British in 1780. In reward, he was given the rank of brigadier general and command of British troops.

2. Strategic Objectives:

   • The British sought to weaken the American resistance by striking at key locations. Richmond, as the capital of Virginia and a significant supply depot, was a prime target for disruption.

The Raid:

1. Arnold's March:

   • Arnold's force of about 1,600 troops sailed up the James River, landing at Westover Plantation on January 4, 1781. From there, they marched towards Richmond.

2. Defensive Efforts:

   • Virginia's Governor Thomas Jefferson, alerted to the British approach, attempted to organize a defense. However, the local militia was sparse and poorly equipped to face the seasoned British troops.

3. Capture of Richmond:

   • On January 5, Arnold's forces entered Richmond with little resistance. The British quickly took control of the city.

4. Destruction and Looting:

   • Arnold ordered the destruction of public buildings, warehouses, and supplies. The British set fire to significant parts of the city, including the statehouse, public records, and munitions stores.
   • Valuable resources such as tobacco, flour, and other military supplies were seized or destroyed, inflicting economic damage on the American war effort.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. British Withdrawal:

   • After inflicting substantial damage, Arnold's forces withdrew from Richmond on January 7, 1781, returning to their base at Portsmouth, Virginia.

2. American Response:

   • The raid prompted a strong response from the American forces. General George Washington dispatched the Marquis de Lafayette with a contingent of troops to reinforce Virginia and counter British operations.
   • The raid increased anti-British sentiment among Virginians and galvanized local militia to more actively oppose British incursions.

3. Strategic Consequences:

   • The raid demonstrated the vulnerability of American supply lines and the effectiveness of British mobility. However, it also stretched British resources and contributed to overextension in the Southern Campaign.
   • The destruction in Richmond disrupted the American war effort temporarily but did not significantly alter the overall strategic situation.

Significance:

• The Raid on Richmond is notable for its demonstration of the war's reach and the intensity of the conflict even in areas not on the primary battlefronts.
• The raid highlighted the betrayal of Benedict Arnold, whose actions as a British commander were seen as particularly egregious given his former status as an American hero.
• It underscored the importance of protecting key logistical and administrative centers, a lesson that influenced subsequent American military strategies.

The Raid on Richmond was a bold but ultimately limited British success, causing temporary disruption but also rallying American resolve to resist British incursions into Virginia.

Yorktown Campaign Battles

• Battle of Blandford
• Battle of Cape Henry
• Battle of Green Spring
• Battle of Spencer's Ordinary
• Battle of the Chesapeake
• Francisco's Fight
• Raid on Richmond
• Siege of Yorktown
• Skirmish at Waters Creek

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources