Battle of Great Bridge

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 16, 2010

1. Battle of Great Bridge Marker

Inscription. In this vicinity, in 1775, was the southern end of a causeway, with bridges, by which the swamp and stream were crossed. Here William Woodford's Virginia riflemen defended the passage. When Lord Dunmore's British regulars attempted to cross the swamp on December 9, 1775, they were cut to pieces by the fire of the riflemen. This defeat forced Dunmore to evacuate Norfolk.

Erected 1934 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number KY-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era • 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 December 9, 1775.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 43.218′ N, 76° 14.375′ W. Marker was in Chesapeake, Virginia. It was in Butts Station. It was on Battlefield Boulevard South (Virginia Route 168) north of Albermarle Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the City of Chesapeake's Great Bridge community. It is west and south of the Chesapeake Expressway/Great Bridge Bypass (VA 168) via Battlefield Blvd, North.

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Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Chesapeake VA 23322, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Battle of Great Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Great Bridge Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Planning a Canal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Marshall Family (about 300 feet away); Battle of Great Bridge DAR Monument (about 400 feet away); Great Bridge Marshall Memorial (about 400 feet away); Billy Flora (about 400 feet away); Father & Son Canal Builders (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Great Bridge. (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Museum. Website homepage (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

3. Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment. (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
4. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore. (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Battle of Great Bridge Marker - viewed from the souheast, off Battlefield Dr., S image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 5, 2010

2. Battle of Great Bridge Marker - viewed from the souheast, off Battlefield Dr., S

with the modern drawbridge over the south branch of the Elizabeth River (Intracoastal Waterway) in the background.

5. William Woodford. (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Battle of Great Bridge Patriot's Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 16, 2010

3. Battle of Great Bridge Patriot's Monument

In the Spring of 2007, the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the erection of this large stone monument to the Patriot soldiers of the Battle on the future site of the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum. On the north side of the river, it is accessible from Battlefield Boulevard and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,355 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on August 16, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.