Surprise Attack on Jersey: A Forgotten Battle of the Revolutionary War

The small island of Jersey in the English Channel became an unexpected battleground during the American Revolutionary War. On January 6th, 1781, a French force of about 1,200 soldiers, led by Baron Philippe de Rullecourt, launched a surprise attack on Saint Helier, the island's capital. They captured the British Lieutenant Governor, Major Moses Corbet. However, the British forces, under the command of Major Francis Peirson, swiftly organized a counterattack with the island's militia. In the ensuing street battle, both Peirson and de Rullecourt were killed. Despite Peirson's death, the British successfully defeated the French, preventing them from establishing a foothold in Jersey and significantly boosting British morale. The battle underscored the strategic importance of the Channel Islands and the readiness of local forces to defend them. As one historian noted, "The Battle of Jersey demonstrated the resilience of the British and the unexpected challenges of island warfare during the Revolutionary era."