Battle of Jersey

Battle of Jersey
	Part of the American War of Independence
	; The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 ; John Singleton Copley, 1783
Date	6 January 1781
Location	Saint Helier, Jersey49°10′57″N 2°06′27″W / 49.18238°N 2.10749°W
Result	British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Francis Peirson †	Philippe Rullecourt †
Strength
2,000	1,400
Casualties and losses
15 killed ; 66 wounded	78 killed ; 74 wounded ; 600 captured

The Battle of Jersey took place on 6 January 1781 during the American War of Independence when French forces unsuccessfully invaded the British-ruled island of Jersey to remove the threat it posed to French and American shipping. Jersey provided a base for British privateers. The French expedition was defeated, losing nearly half its force, including its commander, Baron Philippe de Rullecourt, who died of wounds sustained in the fighting. The battle is often remembered for the death of the British commander, Major Francis Peirson, and a painting based on his final moments by John Singleton Copley.