The raid was undertaken to support the British blockade of the Chesapeake Bay in the War of 1812 and targeted Ocracoke, North Carolina.

[1] On July 11, 1813, Rear-Admiral George Cockburn's naval squadron arrived off Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, carrying the 102d Regiment of Foot, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Napier, and artillery.

Although the British managed to capture two privateers, the Anaconda and Atlas,[2] the revenue cutter Mercury outran the enemy's ships, reaching New Bern in time to thwart any surprise strike on the mainland.

[4] The Ocracoke raid was considered a success as it greatly alarmed the people of North Carolina, who could offer little resistance, and were harassed by incessant militia-calls.

[4] Governor William Hawkins later requested, but failed to receive, federal assistance in building and manning forts to protect the state from another invasion.