During his childhood, his father had been imprisoned for Loyalist activities, but posted a bond and agreed to stay on his Caroline County properties until the conflict ended, possibly because a nephew, Gawin Corbin of Yew Springs, had sided with the Revolutionary cause.
[3] Upon coming of age, he inherited Kings Creek Plantation in York County, which his father had purchased shortly before his own death.
However, three days later, 2000 British troops and mercenaries sought revenge in a two-pronged attack on Hampton, guarded by fewer than 450 militiamen and two artillery batteries.
Corbin was carted from the field after minie balls shattered his arm, as well as wounded his leg and killed his horse, and was initially thought dead, but recovered.
[11] In Jan 1814, after Col. Walker's resignation and before Col. Bassett could return from Washington, Corbin assumed command and called three militia companies and the Williamsburg cavalry into service.