mar 25, 1655 - Battle of the Severn
Description:
A conflict between Maryland colonists on the Severn River near modern-day Annapolis. After the English Civil War, Parliament appointed two Commissioners to force Virginia to obey Parliament. One was Richard Bennett, who became Virginia's governor, and the other was William Claiborne, who had previously tried to seize the island during the war. They forced Governor William Stone to resign, allowing them to take control of the colony. The general assembly passed dozens of laws under their watch, including the prohibition of Catholics who had taken up arms against Parliament (which included most of them), a repeal of the Toleration Act of 1649, and the prohibition of practicing Catholicism. On January 31, 1655, a ship arrived captained by Roger Heamans. Another then showed up with a letter from Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell addressing William Stone as governor. Stone used this to assert the validity of his former position. The Commissioners appointed William Fuller to head the attack for the coming conflict. Heamans began firing upon boats on the Severn on March 24, and the next day the Puritan forces led by Fuller and the Catholic and moderate Protestant forces led by Roger Heamans engaged each other on the river. After about 30 minutes of fighting, Fuller emerged victorious, even wounding Stone. The assembly remained in power until 1658, when Lord Baltimore's proprietorship was restored.
Casualties:
17 Stone-loyal men killed in battle
4 Stone-loyal men executed
32 Stone-loyal men wounded
2 Puritans killed
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