Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration

Musket fire honor at the 2023 Battle of Great Bridge

The Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration is an annual American Heritage program supported by the Virginia SAR that celebrates the honor and courage of American Revolutionary War patriots in the first major battle fought in Virginia and was an American victory.

In the year 2025, it will be the event's 250th Anniversary and 125th annual commemoration and promises to be a family-friendly commemoration honoring the battle’s patriots.

History

The battle began on December 9, 1775 with more than 800+ infantry and militia of American forces against more than 400 soldiers, sailors, artillerymen and grenadiers of the British army, Loyalist militia and Ethiopian Regiment. The battle occurred on both sides of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal between Oak Grove and Great Bridge, Chesapeake, Virginia.

Commemoration DetailsGreen-colored ribbon suspending a silver, oval-shaped medallion depicting a spiraled timber rattlesnake facing toward the hoist sitting upon a patch of lush green grass, with thirteen rattles, representing the thirteen colonies, the slogan words

  • When: Held annually in mid-December
  • Where: at or near Chesapeake, Virginia
  • Host chapter:  Great Bridge Chapter SAR
  • Attendance: The Battle of Great Bridge Medal (pictured here), a chapter-level medal presented by the Great Bridge Chapter, is presented to first-time participants.
  • Color Guard: The event is hosted by the Great Bridge Chapter SAR. Participation in the color guard is a qualifying event for the Virginia SAR Color Guard Medal (Billy Flora Medal).
  • Past events: 122th Annual Commemoration held in 2022

Committee

  • Donald C. Fergusson (Chair, Great Bridge) [email protected]
  • Robert E. Bruce IV (Norfolk)
  • Timothy F. Ahlgrim (Norfolk)
  • Dr. Patrick H. Hannum (Norfolk)
  • Dr. Kenneth L. Hawkins, Jr. (Norfolk)
  • Christopher A. Melhuish (Jamestown, HQ)
  • Edward Kimball Thompson II (Norfolk)
  • Steve Rowe (Great Bridge)
  • John Hall (Norfolk)
  • Charles C. Jameson (Culpeper Minute Men)
Group photo of SAR members at the 2023 Battle of Great Bridge
SAR compatriots at 2023 Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration

(color guard and group photos by Virginia SAR Historian Tom Roth III)