Action near Jamestown.
[Sidenote: 1781] [Sidenote: Virginia invaded by Arnold.] The evacuation of Portsmouth by Leslie afforded Virginia but a short interval of repose.

So early as the 9th of December, 1780, a letter from General Washington announced to the governor that a large embarkation, supposed to be destined for the south, was about taking place at New York.

On the 30th, a fleet of transports under convoy, having on board between one and two thousand men, commanded by General Arnold, anchored in Hampton road.

The troops were embarked the next day on board vessels adapted to the navigation, and proceeded up James' River under convoy of two small ships of war.

On the fourth of January they reached Westover, which is distant about twenty-five miles from Richmond, the capital of Virginia.
[Sidenote: January 2.] On receiving intelligence that a fleet had entered the capes, General Nelson was employed in raising the militia of the lower country; and on the 2d of January orders were issued to call out those above the metropolis and in its neighbourhood.
On reaching Westover, Arnold landed with the greater part of his army, and commenced his march towards Richmond.