Battle of Great Bridge

In mid-1775, Lord Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, fled the colonial capital in Williamsburg for the safety of the British fleet. His uneqivocal support of royal interests over patriot ones had made him an unpopular figure. He later took up headquarters in Norfolk, a town with a large loyalist population. Dunmore sought to quiet patriot ardor by destroying farms and plantations belonging to rebels and by seizing a number of printing presses. He hoped to end patriot opposition by a well-timed military blow.

Dunmore assembled a small army composed of British regulars, loyalist volunteers and a number of runaway slaves who had been promised their freedom in return for their service. The patriot force comprised militia and volunteers from Virginia and Maryland, including young John Marshall.

Dunmore chose to confront the patriots in a small fortification located at the south end of a causeway over a swamp south of Norfolk. The advancing force was met by entrenched patriot riflemen who inflicted a heavy toll. More than one hundred of Dunmore’s men were killed or wounded; one rebel soldier was injured. The thoroughly defeated loyalist army retreated to Norfolk and Dunmore again sought refuge aboard ship.

This dire situation deteriorated further on January 1, 1776, when Dunmore ordered the shelling of Norfolk. He was angered by ongoing sniper fire from the town. The destruction of Norfolk was nearly total. Fires resulted from the bombardment and other blazes were set by partisans of both sides. More than 800 buildings were burned, amounting to about two-thirds of the town. Another 400 structures were destroyed in February as part of the patriot scorched-earth policy.

Following the Battle of Great Bridge and the bombardment of Norfolk, British control in Virginia ended.

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The Battle of Great Bridge
The complete defeat of the British in the Virginia Colony at the Battle of Great Bridge, 7 months before the writing of the Declaration of Independence, was at the time called the Second Battle of Bunker's Hill. It resultedBattle of Great Bridge, 7 months before the writing of the Declaration of Independence, was at the time called the Second Battle of Bunker's Hill. It resulted in the capture of ...
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The Continental Line, Inc. - The Battle of Great Bridge
--> Newletters Home > Fall 2000 > The Battle of Great Bridge The Battle of Great BridgeDecember 9, 1775 By Kyle Willyard In early November, Dunmore raised the King's Standard and called for all loyal subjects to help suppressBattle of Great Bridge The Battle of Great BridgeDecember 9, 1775 By Kyle Willyard In early November, Dunmore raised the King's Standard and called for all loyal subjects to help suppress the rebellion. He ...
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American Revolution - Revolutionary War Battles, The Battle of Great Bridge December 9, 1775
... Bridge Virginia The complete defeat of the British in the Virginia Colony at the Battle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775, seven months before the Declaration of Independence, was at the time called the Second Battle ofBattle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775, seven months before the Declaration of Independence, was at the time called the Second Battle of Bunker's Hill. It ...
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Wars and BattlesBattle of Great BridgeDecember 9, 1775

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Wars and Battles
Battle of Great Bridge
December 9, 1775