THE WILLIAMSBURG CHAPTER, VASSAR, IS COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF SPENCER’S ORDINARY

​Location: Freedom Park Visitor’s Center, 5537 Centerville Road, Williamsburg, Va 23188
 
Start time: 10:00 AM, 26 June, 2022
 
Point of Contact:  Williamsburg Chapter Vice President John Lynch; E-mail: cslasoz@aol.com.
 
Background of the battle:
 
The 1781 engagement at Spencer’s Ordinary took place between Patriot forces (Virginia militia and a detachment of Continentals) and British troops (John Simcoe’s Queens Rangers and an attached unit of German Jaegers). Both sides failed in their primary mission: the Patriots to cut off and capture the British foraging party; the British to bring back cattle to Cornwallis’ main army in Williamsburg. Simcoe’s troops were forced to retreat from the battle after being flanked but were shortly thereafter met by British troops marching from Williamsburg. British returned to hold the deserted battlefield. The Patriots recovered the cattle and then rapidly withdrew. Today Freedom Park, the intersection of Longhill and Centerfield Roads, the gas station adjacent to the intersection, and the veterinary clinic across the street from the gas station are found within the bounds of this Revolutionary War battle.