Williamsburg Chapter Commemorates the Battle of Green Spring

​Chapter members plus 4th L to R, Celia Adolphi, Regent, Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR; 5th, 6th 7th L to R, members of the Colonial Williamsburg Militia Unit acting as a color guard, drummer, and fifer.  John Lynch, chapter compatriot, 2nd from L, spoke on the history of the Battle of Green Spring.  4th R to L, William Greaf, President, Williamsburg Chapter.  Celia Adolphi and William Greaf presented wreaths.  At center is a large granite marker placed by the Chapter 11 years ago.  The marker records tribute to six Virginia militia and 22 Pennsylvania continentals buried near it, none of which have been identified.  The location is near the historic Church-on-the-Main, outlined by marking stones.
 
The British army under Lord Cornwallis had been moving down the peninsula shadowed by Colonial units commanded by Lafayette and Anthony Wayne.  But Cornwallis was then ordered to cross the James River and move to Portsmouth and the Jamestown ferry location was selected to do so.  Planning a trap Cornwallis kept his main force hidden in a tree line starting at Gov. Berkeley’s plantation along a causeway – now Green Springs Road – leading to Jamestown.  General Wayne’s troops prevented a disastrous defeat by charging the British causing them to temporarily halt. The result was a draw and successful withdrawal by Colonial units.  Cornwallis did not pursue and the next day was unopposed as his army ferried across the James.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart