The quiet waterways and neighborhoods of Chesapeake, Virginia, hold a legacy that shaped not only the region but the course of American history. On December 9, 1775, the Battle of Great Bridge marked a pivotal moment in the early days of the American Revolution. This brief but decisive conflict, fought on the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp, was more than a military engagement—it was a turning point that helped secure Virginia for the Patriot cause and set the stage for independence.
Prelude to Battle: Tensions Ignite in Virginia
By the autumn of 1775, tensions between colonial Virginians and the British Crown had reached a breaking point. Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, had already fled the colonial capital of Williamsburg and taken refuge in Norfolk, where he began recruiting Loyalists and promising freedom to enslaved people who joined the British ranks. This promise led to the formation of the Ethiopian Regiment, a unit comprising formerly enslaved individuals who fought for their liberty under the British banner.
The strategic significance of the Great Bridge was clear to both sides. Spanning the Elizabeth River and surrounded by the impassable Great Dismal Swamp, the bridge was the only route south from Norfolk and thus a critical supply line. Dunmore fortified the northern end of the bridge with a stockade known as Fort Murray, manned by British regulars, Loyalists, and members of the Ethiopian Regiment. The Patriots, led by Colonel William Woodford, entrenched themselves on the southern approach, their numbers swelling as militia from Virginia and North Carolina arrived to join the cause.
Clash at the Causeway: The Battle Unfolds
The days leading up to the battle were marked by skirmishes and tense standoffs. On the morning of December 9, British Captain Charles Fordyce led a force of grenadiers and Loyalists across the narrow causeway, believing the Patriot defenses to be weak. The Patriots, however, had prepared well. As the British advanced within fifty yards of the earthworks, the Virginians unleashed a devastating volley, cutting down Fordyce and many of his men in moments.
The engagement lasted less than an hour, but its impact was profound. British casualties exceeded one hundred killed or wounded, while the Patriots suffered only a single wounded man. The surviving British and Loyalist forces retreated, leaving Norfolk and much of Virginia open to the Continental Army. The victory at Great Bridge forced Lord Dunmore and his supporters to evacuate Virginia, effectively ending British rule in the colony and solidifying Patriot control.
A Defining Moment for Freedom and Paradox
The Battle of Great Bridge was not only a military victory but a moment fraught with contradictions. The British promise of freedom to enslaved people who fought for the Crown highlighted the paradox of a revolution for liberty in a land where slavery persisted. Members of the Ethiopian Regiment fought bravely, and the aftermath of the battle saw many seeking freedom elsewhere in the British Empire, though true equality remained elusive.
Notably, local heroism shone through the chaos. Billy Flora, a free Black man, famously removed a plank from the bridge under fire to slow the British advance, embodying the courage and complexity of the era.
Legacy and Commemoration in Chesapeake
The significance of the Battle of Great Bridge endures in Chesapeake. The victory was hailed as the “Bunker Hill of the South,” a reference to its decisive effect on the Revolutionary War’s southern theater. It provided a crucial morale boost to the Patriot cause and ensured that Virginia would be a vital contributor to the fight for independence. Just days after the battle, the Virginia Convention issued its first public declaration of independence, foreshadowing the national movement that would soon follow.
Today, the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation preserves this legacy. The site features a museum with artifacts, interactive exhibits, and educational programs that bring the story to life for visitors of all ages. Annual reenactments and community events ensure that the sacrifices and triumphs of those who fought at Great Bridge are not forgotten.
