With 15,000 men on the militia rolls, Governor Hawkins found no difficulty in furnishing the 7,000 artillerymen, cavalrymen, infantrymen, and riflemen requested by U.S. President James Madison.
Governor Hawkins later requested, but failed to receive, federal assistance in building and manning forts to protect the state from another invasion.
A British fleet, consisting of a large warship and asorted smaller craft under Rear-Admiral George Cockburn, reached Ocracoke Inlet about 9:00 p.m. on July 11.
Although the British captured two privateers, the Anaconda and Atlas, the revenue cutter Mercury outran the enemy ships, reaching New Bern in time to thwart any surprise strike on the mainland.
News of the British invasion spread, and militia companies from as far away as Raleigh quickly marched to guard New Bern and other coastal towns.