[We find the following cotemporary account of this memorable engagement in a manuscript collection of Historical Reminiscences which has been made by a worthy citizen of Portsmouth, and which he has most obligingly put into our hands, for our use in this work. It is stated to have been published in the old Virginia Gazette of the time, shortly after the action; and we have no doubt was so; but we have not the particular paper to refer to, and of course cannot vouch for the fact.]

From officers who have arrived in town from Col. Woodford's camp since the battle of the Great Bridge, I have I think collected a more particular account of that action, than any which has yet been communicated to the public. You will therefore oblige me by publishing it, and afford at the same time no disagreeable entertainment to our countrymen. As the scene of action is but little known to the generality 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 built over what is called the Southern branch of Elizabeth River, 12 miles South from Norfolk. The land on each side is marshy to a considerable

distance from the river, except at the two extremities of the Bridge, where are two pieces of firm land, which may not improperly be called islands, being entirely surrounded by water and marsh, and joined to the main land by causeway. On the little piece of ground on the farther, or Norfolk side, Lord Dunmore had erected his Fort in such a manner that his cannon commanded the causeway on his own side, and the bridge between him and us, with the marshes around him. The island on this side of the river contained six or seven houses, some of which were burnt down, (being those nearest the bridge) by the enemy after the arrival of our troops; in the others adjoining the causeway, on each side, were stationed a guard every night by Col. Woodford, but withdrawn before day, that they might not be exposed to the fire of the enemy's fort, in recrossing the causeway to our camp, this causeway being also commanded by their cannon. The causeway on our side (the south side) was in length about one hundred and sixty yards, and on the hither extremity our breast-work was thrown up. From the breast work ran a street gradually ascending about 400 yards to a church where our main body was encamped. The great trade to Norfolk in shingles, tar, pitch and turpentine, from the country back of this, had occasioned so many houses to be built here, whence these articles were conveyed to Norfolk by water. Such is the nature of the place as described to me, and such was our situation, and that of the enemy.

*

On Saturday the 9th inst., after reveille beating, two great guns and some muskets were discharged from the enemy's fort, which as it was not an unusual thing, was but little regarded by Col. Woodford. However, soon afterwards he heard a call to the soldiers to stand to their arms; upon which with all expedition he made the * The 9th of December, 1775.

proper dispositions to receive the enemy. In the mean time the enemy had crossed the Bridge, fired the remaining houses upon the island, and some large piles of shingles, and attacked our guard in the breastwork. Our men returned the fire, and threw them into some confusion, but they were instantly rallied by Capt. Fordyce, and advanced along the causeway with great resolution, keeping up a constant and heavy fire as they approached. Two field pieces which had been brought across the bridge and planted on the edge of the island facing the left of our breastwork, played briskly at the same time upon us. Lieut. Travis who commanded in the breast-work, ordered his men to reserve their fire 'till the enemy came within the distance of 50 yards, and then they gave it to them with terrible execution. The brave Fordyce exerted himself to keep up their spirits, reminding them of their ancient glory and, waving his hat over his head, encouragingly told them "the day was their own." Thus pressing forward he fell within fifteen steps of the breast-work: his wounds were many, and his death would have been that of a hero, had he met it in a better cause. The progress of the enemy was now at an end, and they retreated over the causeway with precipitation, and were dreadfully galled in their rear.

Hitherto, on our side, only the guard consisting of twenty-five, and some others upon the whole amounting to not more than ninety, had been engaged. Only the Regulars of the 14th Regiment, in number about one hundred and twenty, upon the causeway, and about two hundred and thirty tories and negroes, had after crossing the bridge continued upon the island. The Regulars after retreating along the causeway, were again rallied by Captain Leslie, and the two field pieces continued to play upon our men. It was at this time that Col. Woodford was advancing down the street, to the breast-work, with the main body, and

against him was now directed the whole fire of the enemy. Never were cannon better served; but yet in the face of them and the musketry, which kept up a continued blaze, our men marched on with the utmost intrepidity. Col. Stevens of the Culpeper Battalion, was sent round to the left to flank the enemy, which was done with so much spirit and activity that a route immediately ensued. The enemy fled into their fort, leaving behind them the two field pieces which however they took care to spike up with nails.

Many were killed and wounded in the flight, but Col. Woodford very prudently restrained his troops from urging their pursuit too far. From the beginning of the attack to the repulse from the breast-work, might be about fourteen or fifteen minutes; 'till the total defeat, upwards of half an hour. It is said that some of the enemy preferred death to captivity, from a fear of being scalped, which Lord Dunmore inhumanly told them would be their fate should they be taken alive. Thirty-one killed and wounded fell into our hands, and the number borne off was much greater. Through the whole of the engagement, every officer and soldier behaved with the greatest courage and calmness. The conduct of our sentinels I cannot pass over in silence. Before they quitted their stations they fired at least three. rounds as the enemy were crossing the bridge, and one of them who was posted behind some shingles, kept his ground 'till he had fired eight times, and after receiving the fire of a whole platoon, made his escape over the causeway into the breast-work. The scene was closed with as much humanity as it was conducted with bravery. The work of death being over, every one's attention was directed to the succour of the unhappy sufferers, and it is an undoubted fact that Captain Leslie was so affected with the tenderness of our troops towards those who were yet ca

pable of receiving assistance, that he gave signs from the fort of his thankfulness for it. What is not to be paralleled in history, and will scarcely appear credible except to such as acknowledge a Providence over human affairs, this victory was gained at the expense of no more than a slight wound in a soldier's hand. One circumstance which renders it still more amazing, is that the field pieces raked the whole length of the street, and absolutely threw double headed shot as far as the church, and afterwards, as our troops approached, cannonaded them heavily with grape shot.

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Note. Our collector adds a note, which we give in his own words, as follows: 'Many years before I read the foregoing account of the glorious victory at the Great Bridge, Captain Tho. Nash, late of Gosport, Virginia. had verbally given me a history of the affair, as he was one of the faithful and courageous soldiers who were engaged in it; and since I have read it, I have concluded that Captain N. was the only person on our side that was hurt on that glorious day, as I have often heard him speak of the wound which he received in his hand in the action. He has been dead many years, but is still remembered with honor by all who knew him.

Captain Nash informed me that at this famous battle, Billy Flora, a colored man, was the last sentinel that came into the breast work, and that he did not leave his post until he had fired several times. Billy had to cross a plank to get to the breast work, and had fairly passed over it when he was seen to turn back, and deliberately take up the plank after him, amidst a shower of musket balls. He was probably the very sentinel who is mentioned in the account as having fired "eight times." Billy Flora was well known in Portsmouth and the surrounding country, and was always greatly respected for his good conduct during the revolutionary war, and for his remarkable civility afterwards. He was a true patriot to the last. I recollect that when the troops of Norfolk and Portsmouth were under arms in service for a few days, in 1807, in consequence of the cowardly attack on the frigate Chesapeake by the British ship Leopard, Billy Flora made his appearance with his gun on his shoulder, and offered his services; observing that he had brought with him the same musket which he had fought with at the Great Bridge, and he would be "buttered" (the only oath he was ever known to make) if he was not as ready to use her again as on that glori