Cypress in Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Revolutionary Camp

Photographed by James Thomson

1. Revolutionary Camp Marker

Inscription. On 10 May 1779, during the Revolutionary War, a British expeditionary force commanded by Gen. Edward Matthews disembarked in Portsmouth to capture the major Tidewater Virginia towns. About 200 Nansemond County militia under Col. Willis Riddick immediately assembled in Suffolk and marched toward Portsmouth. The soldiers camped here in a field in front of Capt. James Murdaugh's house on the night of 11 May, while several officers slept in nearby dwellings. A British advance party surprised two captains at Hargrove's Tavern a mile east, killing one. The militia retreated to Suffolk and later dispersed as the enemy approached. The British burned Suffolk on 13 May.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-254.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1779.

Location. 36° 48′ N, 76° 31.107′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is in Cypress. It is

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at the intersection of Nansemond Parkway (Virginia Route 337) and Whitley Lane, on the right when traveling south on Nansemond Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3228 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk VA 23435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: James Bowser Plantation (approx. 1.1 miles away); James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier (approx. 1.6 miles away); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. 1.9 miles away); Yeates School (approx. 1.9 miles

Photographed by James Thomson

2. Revolutionary Camp Marker

away); Bennett's Home (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hargrove's Tavern (approx. 2.1 miles away); Glebe Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Glebe Church (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

More about this marker. The inscription for Revolutionary Camp (K-254) is almost identical to the one for Hargrove’s Tavern (K-270). Both markers give an account of the same four days in May 1779 with slight variances in details. See the illustration, “A Comparative of K-254 and K-270.”

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

A Comparative of K-254 and K-270. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark

3. A Comparative of K-254 and K-270.

These photos of K-254 (Revolutionary Camp) and K-270 (Hargrove’s Tavern) were taken on 09/24/2017 and 08/31/2011, respectively. Their inscriptive variances are highlighted in orange.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 2,254 times since then and 88 times this year. Last updated on November 19, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. 3. submitted on November 19, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.