During the Revolutionary War on December 1775, a great battle was fought. One that changed the world as everyone knew it. The Battle of Great Bridge did not last long, but it was the first Patriot win and many British soldiers were lost.
The Great Bridge Battle was fought in December 1775, at a small bridge which crossed the southern Branch of the Elizabeth River (History). The first major Revolutionary War armed conflict in Virginia led into the most critical battle for American independence (Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways-Project). The Great Bridge which was fought on had a narrow 100-150 ft span and was strategically important as it was on the main road connecting Norfolk to North Carolina(History). Before this battle Patriots and …show more content…
On June 8th, 1775, the Royal Governor abandoned Williamsburg and fled to the safety of a British vessel in the York River. Then, in November 1775, the Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation that martial law should be used throughout the colony of Virginia. This placed the military authority of Lord Dunmore over the civilian government. His proclamation declared, that anyone who refused to join the army was considered a traitor. It also proclaimed that all “indented servants, Negroes, and Rebels free that are able and willing to bear arms, they’re joining His Majesty’s Troops.” Lord Dunmore also hoped to raise the British troops from the large numbers for enslaved African Americans who labored for rebel leaders. The African Americans who abandoned their rebel masters were put into a military unit he called “Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment.” Then Lord Dunmore recruited loyalists and placed them in a unit which Lord Dunmore called the “Queen’s Own Loyal Regiment” (History). After assembling all the troops, Dunmore chose to confront the patriots in a small fortified location at an area in Norfolk. The advancing forces met on December 9th, 1775 (Battle). The Patriots ended up fleeting at first, but before they were fully gone one brave patriot soldier who was a freed black slave went back to the …show more content…
After the Battle of Great Bridge, the British could no longer control Virginia. On January 25, 1776, a resolution making Dunmore's proclamation concerning slaves and indentured servants was rewritten: “we think it proper to declare that all slaves who have been, or shall be, seduced by His Lordship's proclamation, or other arts, to desert their master's service, and take up arms against the inhabitants of this colony, shall be liable to such punishment as shall hereafter be directed by the Convention. And to the end that all such who have taken this unlawful and wicked step may return in safety to their duty, and escape the punishment due to their crimes, we hereby promise pardon to them, they surrendering themselves to Col. William Woodford or any other commander of our troops, and not appearing in arms after the publication hereof” (Battle). The Battle of Great Bridge did not last long, but it was the first Patriot win and many British soldiers were
The Great Bridge Battle was fought in December 1775, at a small bridge which crossed the southern Branch of the Elizabeth River (History). The first major Revolutionary War armed conflict in Virginia led into the most critical battle for American independence (Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways-Project). The Great Bridge which was fought on had a narrow 100-150 ft span and was strategically important as it was on the main road connecting Norfolk to North Carolina(History). Before this battle Patriots and …show more content…
On June 8th, 1775, the Royal Governor abandoned Williamsburg and fled to the safety of a British vessel in the York River. Then, in November 1775, the Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation that martial law should be used throughout the colony of Virginia. This placed the military authority of Lord Dunmore over the civilian government. His proclamation declared, that anyone who refused to join the army was considered a traitor. It also proclaimed that all “indented servants, Negroes, and Rebels free that are able and willing to bear arms, they’re joining His Majesty’s Troops.” Lord Dunmore also hoped to raise the British troops from the large numbers for enslaved African Americans who labored for rebel leaders. The African Americans who abandoned their rebel masters were put into a military unit he called “Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment.” Then Lord Dunmore recruited loyalists and placed them in a unit which Lord Dunmore called the “Queen’s Own Loyal Regiment” (History). After assembling all the troops, Dunmore chose to confront the patriots in a small fortified location at an area in Norfolk. The advancing forces met on December 9th, 1775 (Battle). The Patriots ended up fleeting at first, but before they were fully gone one brave patriot soldier who was a freed black slave went back to the …show more content…
After the Battle of Great Bridge, the British could no longer control Virginia. On January 25, 1776, a resolution making Dunmore's proclamation concerning slaves and indentured servants was rewritten: “we think it proper to declare that all slaves who have been, or shall be, seduced by His Lordship's proclamation, or other arts, to desert their master's service, and take up arms against the inhabitants of this colony, shall be liable to such punishment as shall hereafter be directed by the Convention. And to the end that all such who have taken this unlawful and wicked step may return in safety to their duty, and escape the punishment due to their crimes, we hereby promise pardon to them, they surrendering themselves to Col. William Woodford or any other commander of our troops, and not appearing in arms after the publication hereof” (Battle). The Battle of Great Bridge did not last long, but it was the first Patriot win and many British soldiers were