• About
  • Groups
  • Contact
Portsmouth Tourism
    • Top Eight Things To Do
          • Top 8 Things To Do
          • Events
          • Casino
          • Museums
          • Dining
          • Arts & Entertainment
          • Shopping
          • Outdoors
          • Walking Tours
          • Top 8 Things To Do

          • Experience the best of the best with this Top 8 list of things to do and see in Portsmouth.

    • Explore History
          • Explore History
          • Olde Towne Historic District
          • History of Portsmouth Timeline
          • Portsmouth VA250
          • Olde Towne Historic District

          • Walk through history and see Olde Towne’s origins and it’s continued evolution.

    • How To Plan Your Trip
          • Portsmouth Getaways
          • Upcoming Events
          • Where To Stay
          • Visitor Services
          • Parking
          • Visiting By Boat
          • Itineraries
          • Digital Brochures
          • Business Directory

            Dinner and a movie at Commodore Theatre is just one of many fun things married couples can do in Hampton Roads.
          • Plan for your visit and explore Portsmouth with the Business Directory.

          • Business Directory
    • Go Different Locals
    • From The Blog
    • Upcoming Events
    • About
    • Groups
    • Contact
Back to Blog
  • All Posts
  • Museums
  • Outdoors
  • Restaurants
  • History
  • Shopping
  • Events
  • Press Releases
  • Videos
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Boating
  • Children/Kids/Family Fun
  • Tours
  • Sister City
  • Lodging

Gen. Leslie, with 3,000 British troops and 60 ships, invaded and fortified Portsmouth.

January 12, 1780

General Cornwallis hoped to divert attention from his push through North Carolina to Virginia by occupying Portsmouth. When the loyalists lost battles in North Carolina, Cornwallis ordered Leslie and his remaining troops to set sail and join him in Portsmouth.

Share

Join our Mailing List and learn what’s happening!

Sign up today so you can stay informed on all things Portsmouth all the time.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Portsmouth Visitor Center
    206 High Street
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    757-393-5111
    • About
    • Dining
    • Blog
    • Meetings
    • Things To Do
    • Shopping
    • Outdoors
    • Museums
    • Visitor Directory
    • PLAN YOUR TRIP
    • Where To Stay
    • Parking
    • Visitor Services
  • City of Portsmouth Municipal Website
    Portsmouth Economic Development
    Portsmouth Virginia Events Calendar
    Olde Towne Portsmouth

     

  • Top Eight Things To Do
    • Top 8 Things To Do
    • Events
    • Casino
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Dining
    • Museums
    • Outdoors
    • Shopping
    • Walking Tours
  • Explore History
    • Explore History
    • Olde Towne Historic District
    • History of Portsmouth Timeline
    • Portsmouth VA250
  • How To Plan Your Trip
    • Portsmouth Getaways
    • Upcoming Events
    • Business Directory
    • Where To Stay
    • Visitor Services
    • Parking
    • Visiting By Boat
    • Itineraries
    • Digital Brochures
  • Go Different Locals
  • From The Blog
  • Upcoming Events
  • About
  • Groups
  • Contact
 
Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!