Battle of Deserted House
Part of the American Civil War
Date January 30, 1863 Location Suffolk, Virginia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States ( Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Michael Corcoran	Roger Atkinson Pryor
Strength
8,000	1,800
Casualties and losses
22 killed 108 wounded 12 missing 142 total [1]	8 killed 31 wounded 39 total [1]

The battle of Deserted House, or the Battle of Kelly’s Store, was a minor engagement during the American Civil War in southeast Virginia.

Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. Roger A. Pryor crossed the Blackwater River into southeast Virginia on a foraging expedition. ^[1] Maj. Gen. John J. Peck commanded the Union garrison at Suffolk. Peck organized a force to drive Pryor out of the area and assigned Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran to its command. ^[1] Anticipating an attack from the Union garrison, Pryor prepared his forces for battle near Kelly’s Store, located 8 miles west of Suffolk. ^[1]

Corcoran’s cavalry engaged Pryor’s forces near a place called Deserted House. The Confederates retreated two miles before making another stand. The 13th Indiana Infantry charged and routed this new line. A final stand by the Confederates was made along the Blackwater River which was broken by the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. ^[2] Although suffering far more casualties than the Confederates (142-39), the Union forces prevailed. Corcoran's troops returned to Suffolk the following day.^{[ citation needed]}

In April, a larger foraging effort and demonstration against Suffolk was carried out by Lt. Gen. James Longstreet.^{[ citation needed]}

References