March 3rd, 1776 - The Raid of Nassau

Conflict: American Revolution

Combatants: Americans vs. British

Location: Bahamas

Outcome: American victory

On March 3, 1776, the American privateer Esek Hopkins attacked the British colony at New Providence. Hopkins' marines succeeded in capturing cannons and gunpowder needed for the American war effort.

The Battle of Nassau by V. Zveg (Navy Art Collection)

Points of Interest:

• Esek Hopkins had served as privateer for the British during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

• On March 23rd, three weeks after the raid on Nassau, the Continental Congress officially authorized privateering.

Esek Hopkins, Commander by Martin Johnson Heade

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Sources:

Dupuy, Trevor N., Johnson, Curt, & Bongard, David L. (1992). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography. New York: Castle Books (HarperCollins).

Dupuy, R. Ernest & Dupuy, Trevor N. (1993). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military History. New York: HarperCollins.

Eggenberger, David (1985). An Encyclopedia of Battles: Accounts of Over 1,560 Battles from 1479 B.C. to the Present. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.