The Battle of Smithfield Civil War History The town of Smithfield and Isle of Wight County are active participants with the Civil War Trails program in the state of Virginia.  For all Virginia Civil War Trails information please visit their website. The Battle of Smithfield, one of the many skirmishes in Virginia during the Civil War, took place in the middle of Main Street. Though not a major conflict, it made quite an impact on the inhabitants of Smithfield. That Sunday morning, January 31, 1864, the Yankee gunboat Smith-Briggs approached the old abandoned shipyard at the bottom of Church Street - where Smithfield Station resides now. Locals were attending church services at Christ Episcopal Church at the corner of Main and Church Streets when the janitor burst in with the news. Everyone hurried for home. The Yankee troops loitered about town for a while until they encountered a small troop of Confederate soldiers commanded by Major Sturdivant. After a small skirmish, the Confederates fell back to the west and the Yankees returned to Smithfield - and found their gunboat had not returned!  When Monday morning arrived cold and rainy, and the gunboat still hadn't arrived, the Yankees placed their lone canon at the top of Wharf Hill, by the church, and waited. Major Sturdivant, discovering the enemy troops were still in town, arrived at the west end of Main Street and set up their two field pieces - a 12' pound Napoleon and a 6' pound Howitzer. The Yankee captain was fully prepared to surrender until he saw the gunboat heaving into sight. After ordering woman and children of the town into a basement for cover, Major Sturdivant opened fire straight down Main Street. Firing ensued for about three quarters of an hour when the Yankees took off to get aboard the Smith-Briggs. Captain Norsworthy, a member of the Confederate troops, pursued the troops and shot at them as they crossed the gangplank. The 12 pound Napoleon then fired from Main Street, shot through the steam chest of the vessel, causing the Smith-Briggs to run up the white flag of surrender and drift to the other side of the Pagan River where it became stuck in the mud. The Yankee soldiers were taken prisoner, Dr. John R. Purdie and local women took care of the wounded temporarily - and only one Confederate soldier's life was lost. Set afire, the Smith-Briggs was blown to pieces when the flames hit the ammunition on board. Captain Norsworthy venomously wrenched the gilded eagle from the vessel prior to explosion as a trophy. Mollie Chalmers, a local towns person, recalled that Yankee coffee was enjoyed in Smithfield that night for the first time in many months. The gilded eagle is displayed prominently at the Isle of Wight Museum at the Corner of Main and Church Streets. At St. Luke's Church (circa 1632) the cemetery was once used as an encampment area by confederate troops (as well as Tarleton's British troops during the Revolutionary War).  St. Luke's Shrine is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and partial days on Sunday and its admission is complimentary.  It is closed Monday and the entire month of January. Fort Boykin (circa 1623) was built a year after a major Indian attack, and for the prevention of another.  Being located right on the James River it is a very viable stance for soldiers to see any enemy ships arriving in the area.  Having participated in every major campaign on American soil, Fort Boykin is involved with the Virginia Civil War Trails Peninsula Campaign.  Its premises are maintained by the Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreations and remains free to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. until dusk. Top of Page Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention & Visitors Bureau • PO Box 37 • 335 Main Street Smithfield VA, 23431 • 1-800-365-9339 • (757) 357-5182 • Fax (757) 365-4360