Battle of Tampa

Other Names: Yankee Outrage at Tampa

Location: Tampa, Florida

Campaign: Operations against Tampa (June-July 1862)

Date: June 30-July 1, 1862

Principal Commanders: Capt. A.J. Drake [US]; Capt. J.W. Pearson [CS]

Forces Engaged: 1 gunboat [US]; 1 company [CS]

Casualties and losses: None

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

On June 30, a Union gunboat came into Tampa Bay, turned her broadside on the town, and opened her ports. The gunboat then dispatched a launch carrying 20 men and a lieutenant under a flag of truce demanding the surrender of Tampa. The Confederates refused, and the gunboat opened fire. The officer then informed the Confederates that shelling would commence at 6:00 pm after allowing time to evacuate non-combatants from the city. Firing continued sporadically into the afternoon of July 1, when the Federal gunboat withdrew. Capt. Pearson’s after-action report singled out Capt. James Gettis of Hillsborough County and originally from Pennsylvania[7] for his decisive leadership of one of the Confederate batteries.