The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-01-30
BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE, VlR-l
GINA.
OEcEMBER. 81, I'VE.

DECEMBER, ., l775.
From officers who have arrived in town
from COL Woodfords camp since the battle
o the Great Bridge, | have, | think. collect
ed a more particularly account of that ac-
ton than any which has yet been COMMUNE
Gated TO the public. You will therefore
oblige me by publishing it, and perhaps at
ford, atthe same time, no dlsagreeable en-
tertainment in our countrymen. As The
scene of action is but little known TO the gen
s%rallity of people, it may be necessary to
give some description of it, that the relation
may be more clear and satisfactory. The
great bridge is butt over what is called the
southern branch of Elizabeth river, twelve
miles above Norfolk. The land on each side
is marshy to a considerable distance from the
river, except at the two extremlties of the
bridge, where are two pieces of firm land,
which may not improperly be called
small Islands, being surrounded en-
tifelly BIZ wafer and marsh, and joined 10 the
mainland By causways. On the little piece
of firm ground on the farther or Norfolk side,
Lord Dunmore had erected his fort, in such
a manner that his cannon commanded the
c~aiseway on his own side and the bridge
between him and us, with the marshes a.
round him. The Island on this side Of the
river contained six or seven houses, some of
which were burnt down 1.-THE nearest 10 the
bridge.1 by the enemy, after the arrival of
our troops; in the others, adjoining the cause
Way on each side, were stationed a guard
every night by Col. Woodford, but with drawn
before day, that they might not be exposed
TO the fire o the enemy S fort in recrossing
the causeway to our camp, this causeway
being also commanded by their cannon. The
causeway on our side was in length about
one hundred and fifty yards, and on the high
'er extremity our breast work was thrown up.
From the breastwork ran a street, gradually
ascending, about the length of four hundred
yards, 10 a church, where our nam body were
'encamped.
The great trade to Norfolk in shingles
tar, pitch, and turpentine, from the country
back of this, had occasioned so many houses
10 be built here, whence these articles were
conveyed 10 Norfolk by water. But this by
the uye-such is the nature of the place
described TO me, and such was our situation
and that of The enemy. On Saturday, The
9th inst, after ~revieile beating, two or three
great guns and some musketry were discharg
ed from the eneIny's fort, which, as it wa:
not an unsual thing, was but little regarded
BY Col. Woodford. However, soon after
wards he heard a call to the soldiers to stanC
to their arms; upon which, with all expedi
ton, he made the proper dispositions 10 re
ceive the enemy. In the meantime Colone
Woodford very prudenlly restrained his troop
from urging their pursuit too lal. Front
beginning of the attack till the repulse tror
the bfeastwork, might be about fourteen G
fifteen minutes; till the total defeat upward
ofhalf an hour. 1t is said tha! some of tn
enemy preferred death 10 captivity, from
fear ofbeing scalped, which Lord Dunmor'
inhumanly toldtlem wouldbe their fate shout
they be taken alive. Tillrty-one killed an
wounded, fell into our hands, and the nun
Der borne off was much greater. fhroug
the whole of the engagement, every office
and soldier behaved viththe greatest courag
and calmness.
The conduct of our sent nels | cannc
pass over in silence. Before they quite
their stations they fred at least three round
as the enemy were crossing the bridge, an
one ofihem, who was posted behind som
shingles, kept his ground till he h ad fire
eight times, and, after receiving u whole pa
toon, made his escape over the causeway Il
10 our breastwork. The scene was close
with as much humanity as it had been co
Quoted with bravery. The work of death b
inge every ones close attention was direclt
10 the succor of the unhappy sufferers and
is.an undoubted fact, that Captain Leslie W
so affected with the tenderness of our troo
towards those who were yet capable OF q
sistance, that he gave signs from the fort
his ihankrnlness for ii. What is not TO
paralleled in history, and will scarcely a
pear credible, except to such as ackno
edge a Providence over human affairs, Il
victory was gained AT the expense of no mo
than a slight wound in a soldiers hand;* a
one circumstance which rendes it still me
amazing, is, that the fieid-pleces raked t
whole length of the street, and absolute
threw dodble-headed shot as fat as the chui
and afterwards, as our troops appToach
cannonading them heavily with grape-shot
*This was a second Bunker's Hill aft
in miniature, with this ditference-that
kept our post. and had only one man wouI
ed in the hand.-Lctters Of Colonel Wo'
ford.
OFFENDERS AND DEFENDERS.