[1][2] Following the outbreak of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, British naval forces established a partial blockade of the American eastern seaboard.

As part of this strategy of blockade, the Royal Navy also conducted a series of sporadic attacks against American towns and coastal shipping.

On 4 April 1813 a small British squadron commanded by Commodore John P. Beresford aboard HMS Poictiers arrived off the coast of Delaware, bound for Cape Henlopen.

Beresford laid anchor and sent a shore party to the town, where their attempts to requisition supplies from the townspeople were rebuked by the arrival of the Delaware state militia.

[2] The letter read; Sir, As soon as you receive this, I request you will send 20 live bullocks with a proportionate quantity of vegetables and hay to the Poictiers for the use of Britannic Majesty's squadron now at this anchorage, which will be immediately paid for at the Philadelphia prices.