Great Bridge: The Battle that Ended British Rule in Virginia

On this day in 1775, a battle that lasted about half an hour would forever change the course of British rule in Virginia. Tensions between British and American forces came to a head on Dec. 9, 1775 in the Battle of Great Bridge.

Let’s set the scene for you beginning in April 1775. Virginia’s last royal governor, John Murray-known as Lord Dunmore, orders his men to enter our Public Magazine right here in Williamsburg and take our gunpowder. They were able to get away with about 15 half-barrels. The people of Williamsburg were furious and some even gathered at the Governor’s Palace, determined to storm the home. You can watch the events unfold in our Storming the Palace program. (Note: This program will return in the spring!)

Fast forward two months to June. Lord Dunmore flees Williamsburg to Portsmouth. Then, in November, he declares freedom for any slave or indentured servant willing to fight for the king. Virginians were shocked by the news.

Col. William Woodford, colonel of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, moved his men toward Great Bridge in Chesapeake. Elizabeth Hanbury and Jim Hodges described Great Bridge as the “key to holding the Great Road, which was the primary supply line to the south and Dunmore’s Achilles heel.” Woodford wanted Dunmore out of Hampton Roads.

Dunmore received word North Carolina forces were at Great Bridge and he along with more than 100 men moved to the village. No one was found and British forces erected Fort Murray, named after Dunmore.

Col. Woodford wouldn’t reach Great Bridge until Dec. 2 and several skirmishes broke out in the next week. On Dec. 8, more British forces moved into the area, bringing the total to about 670. It was nothing compared to American forces, which rose to about 900.

The Patriots would outsmart the British by sending a slave under the guise of a deserter to inform Dunmore’s men only 300 forces were at Great Bridge. It was enough to send British forces out to take on the Patriots in the early morning hours of Dec. 9.

The Battle of Great Bridge lasted about 30 minutes, but was a major victory for Americans. In the end, only one Patriot was wounded and no lives were taken. The British did not fare so well, with more than 100 either wounded or killed in the battle.

Lord Dunmore finally abandoned Virginia in July 1776, ending British rule for good.

The Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation held a reenactment Dec. 6, 2014. Check out a slideshow of fun images below!