07 Dec 2024 Chesapeake, VA
A crowd of over 100 gathered at the Battle of Great Bridge Monument to celebrate this crucial victory in the early days of the American Revolution.
Today the CMM participated in the Celebration of the Revolutionary Victory at Great Bridge 249 years ago.
At First Light….
…..on Dec 9th, 249 years ago, the thin line of sentries at the south end of the Long Bridge began to make out the Grenadier Company of the 14th Regiment of Foot, followed by another company of Regulars, a large number of Tory Militiamen, and about 500 recently enslaved black members of the Ethiopian Regiment, advancing down the bridge threatening to seize the barricade behind the sentries before the Americans camped to the south could respond. One sentry, Billy Flora, stood his ground, reloading and firing eight rounds, thus slowing the Grenadiers so that the 2nd Virginia Regiment reached the barricade before the Grenadiers. They were supported by the Culpeper Minutemen who took cover behind a flanking barricade on their left. Then devastating fire by the Americans killed and wounded at least 100 of those who charged down the bridge. Captain Charles Fordyce who bravely led the charge fell dead.
The American victory prevented the establishment of a British stronghold at Norfolk which could have made a successful revolution impossible.
…..on Dec 9th, 249 years ago, the thin line of sentries at the south end of the Long Bridge began to make out the Grenadier Company of the 14th Regiment of Foot, followed by another company of Regulars, a large number of Tory Militiamen, and about 500 recently enslaved black members of the Ethiopian Regiment, advancing down the bridge threatening to seize the barricade behind the sentries before the Americans camped to the south could respond. One sentry, Billy Flora, stood his ground, reloading and firing eight rounds, thus slowing the Grenadiers so that the 2nd Virginia Regiment reached the barricade before the Grenadiers. They were supported by the Culpeper Minutemen who took cover behind a flanking barricade on their left. Then devastating fire by the Americans killed and wounded at least 100 of those who charged down the bridge. Captain Charles Fordyce who bravely led the charge fell dead.
The American victory prevented the establishment of a British stronghold at Norfolk which could have made a successful revolution impossible.
CMM participants at the monument to Major Thomas Marshall and Lt. John Marshall at the Great Bridge Battle Ground. Left to right: Cat Schwetke (Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR), Bill Schwetke, Scott Collins (dual from Georgia and NSSAR Color Guard Commander), Michael Dennis (CMM Color Guard Commander), Charles Jameson, Chaplain John Kuvakas, Gary Green (dual from North Carolina and NSSAR Genealogist General), Jeff Thomas (dual from Fairfax Resolves Chapter and NSSAR Historian General).
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