Culpeper Minutemen Chapter members and wives at the Great Bridge Ceremony. Left to right: Past President Mike Lyman, President Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial Marker, SAR President General Lindsey Brock, Past President Lance Lyngar, Jim Lillard, Jim's wife Linda, and attending, but not pictured, Billie Brock. Wreaths are from the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, and the CMM.
The Culpeper Minutemen were co-hosts at the 2014 Ceremony celebrating the victory by patriot forces, including the Culpeper Minutemen, over the British at Great Bridge on Dec 9th, 1775. Five chapter members and three wives attended. President General Lindsey Brock was the keynote speaker; Mike Lyman, Lance Lyngar, and Bill Schwetke participated in the color guard. Since 2011 this has been a national level event for the SAR.
On December 9th, 1775, members of the British 14th Regiment of Foot, augmented by members of the Queen's Own Loyal Virginia Regiment, the Ethiopian Regiment, and sailors from the British Fleet, attacked across the Great Bridge to dislodge the patriot forces on the south end. After about thirty minutes of bloody fighting the British fled back to the north end of the bridge having suffered an estimated 102 killed, wounded, or captured. The patriots suffered one minor wound. Soon thereafter the British left the mainland of Virginia for the safety of their ships.
Because of this victory General Washington was able to freely shift forces between the northern and southern colonies, reap the harvest of Virginia agriculture to feed his army, and recruit worthy soldiers from the men of Virginia.
On December 9th, 1775, members of the British 14th Regiment of Foot, augmented by members of the Queen's Own Loyal Virginia Regiment, the Ethiopian Regiment, and sailors from the British Fleet, attacked across the Great Bridge to dislodge the patriot forces on the south end. After about thirty minutes of bloody fighting the British fled back to the north end of the bridge having suffered an estimated 102 killed, wounded, or captured. The patriots suffered one minor wound. Soon thereafter the British left the mainland of Virginia for the safety of their ships.
Because of this victory General Washington was able to freely shift forces between the northern and southern colonies, reap the harvest of Virginia agriculture to feed his army, and recruit worthy soldiers from the men of Virginia.
 Bill Schwetke, on left, discusses the March Order with fellow color guardsman Will Elston of the George Washington Chapter before posting the colors at Great Bridge. |  NSSAR Color Guard at Great Bridge. CMM color guardsmen: Lance Lyngar, 2nd from left, Mike Lyman, 8th from left, Bill Schwetke, out of picture to right, holding CMM Battle Flag. |
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