The Battle of Great Bridge, fought on December 9, 1775, was a pivotal early engagement in Virginia that effectively ended royal authority in the colony. Royal Governor Lord Dunmore had fortified the northern approach to Norfolk with a stockade at Great Bridge, but Patriot militia under Colonel William Woodford grew to nearly 900 men and challenged his control. In a bold attempt to drive the Virginians back, British regulars and Loyalists advanced across the narrow causeway only to be met with devastating volleys. The attack collapsed, forcing the British to abandon Fort Murray and withdraw from Norfolk. Within weeks, Dunmore fled Virginia altogether, leaving the Patriots in control of the colony.
Today, the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation preserves the site with trails, a visitor center, interpretive signs, and monuments that detail the events of December 1775. Visitors can walk the ground where Virginia militia secured one of the Revolution’s earliest major victories and learn how the geography of swamps and causeways shaped the battle. The site not only highlights the importance of local militia in resisting British rule but also illustrates how this clash set Virginia firmly on the path toward independence.
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Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.
