Greenbrier West in Chesapeake, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
At Dawn On December 9, 1775
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 28, 2012
1. At Dawn on December 9, 1775 Marker
Inscription.
At Dawn On December 9, 1775. . In late October 1775, the Virginia Committee of Safety ordered Colonel William Woodford and his 2nd Virginia Regiment, along with five companies of Culpeper Minutemen, to march towards Norfolk and protect “…all friends to the American cause.” The army departed Williamsburg in mid-November. After crossing the James River, Woodford detached a special unit led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Scott to advance and explore Dunmore’s movements and position. Scott arrived at Great Bridge on November 28, 1775. Skirmishes broke out almost immediately, but the troops managed to throw up a breastwork at the northern end of the village. Woodford and the remainder of the army arrived four days later and began building two flanking earth works. Cannon fire from the British at Fort Murray was a daily experience., After skirmishing and exchanging fire constantly for eleven days, Dunmore ordered his troops to attack at dawn on December 9, 1775. His forces, numbering more than 500, moved from the fort moments before daybreak., Marching in cadence with the drums, a special assault unit of 60 grenadiers of the 14th Regiment of Foot, commanded by Captain Charles Fordyce, led the attack. Tall in stature and physically intimidating, the unit was one of Great Britain’s finest. They crossed the bridge and assembled on the south island, then moved to the causeway to begin their march across the marsh that separated them from the patriot defenses at the north end of the village, a distance of approximately 200 yards. The attack began with the firing of cannon.
In late October 1775, the Virginia Committee of Safety ordered Colonel William Woodford and his 2nd Virginia Regiment, along with five companies of Culpeper Minutemen, to march towards Norfolk and protect “…all friends to the American cause.” The army departed Williamsburg in mid-November. After crossing the James River, Woodford detached a special unit led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Scott to advance and explore Dunmore’s movements and position. Scott arrived at Great Bridge on November 28, 1775. Skirmishes broke out almost immediately, but the troops managed to throw up a breastwork at the northern end of the village. Woodford and the remainder of the army arrived four days later and began building two flanking earth works. Cannon fire from the British at Fort Murray was a daily experience.
After skirmishing and exchanging fire constantly for eleven days, Dunmore ordered his troops to attack at dawn on December 9, 1775. His forces, numbering more than 500, moved from the fort moments before daybreak.
Marching in cadence with the drums, a special assault unit of 60 grenadiers of the 14th Regiment of Foot, commanded by Captain Charles Fordyce, led the attack. Tall in stature and physically intimidating, the unit was one of Great Britain’s finest. They crossed the bridge and assembled on the south island, then moved
Click or scan to see this page online
to the causeway to begin their march across the marsh that separated them from the patriot defenses at the north end of the village, a distance of approximately 200 yards. The attack began with the firing of cannon.
Erected 2012 by Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1775.
Location. 36° 43.334′ N, 76° 14.375′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is in Greenbrier West. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Battlefield Boulevard (Business Virginia Route 168) and Watson Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2614 Watson Rd, Chesapeake VA 23320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Causeways (a few steps from this marker); Causeway Construction (within shouting distance of this marker); First Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty to Slaves (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Original Causeway (within shouting distance of this marker); The Day is Our Own! (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Murray (within shouting distance of this marker); Billy Flora (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.
2. At Dawn on December 9, 1775.
Dunmore ordered a surprise attack against the patriot position, to commence at dawn on December 9, 1775. Painting by Jeremy Horne
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photo courtesy of Backus Aerial Photograpghy, Inc.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 28, 2012
4. At Dawn on December 9, 1775 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,249 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on November 25, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.