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.