Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration

Musket fire honor at the 2023 Battle of Great BridgeThe Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration is an annual American Heritage program and National SAR Event. Supported by the Virginia SAR, it celebrates the honor and courage of American Revolutionary War patriots in the first major battle and patriot victory fought in Virginia.

 In the year 2026, it will be the event's 251st Anniversary and 126th annual commemoration and promises to be a family-friendly commemoration honoring the battle’s patriots.

History

The battle began on 9 December 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 Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment. The battle occurred on both sides of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal between Oak Grove and Great Bridge, Chesapeake, Virginia.

Commemoration DetailsGreat BridgeGreen-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 for purchase at the event.

  • Battle of Great Bridge Medal. The Battle of Great Bridge ribbon reflects the colors of the patriot participants: Culpeper Minutemen (green with the rattlesnake device), 2nd Virginia Regiment (purple), and militia and native American warriors (buff), suspending a brass colored, round medallion depicting COL William Woodford, commander. Surrounding the image are the words “The Battle of Great Bridge – 9 Dec. 1775, COL William Woodford – Liberty or Death”.

  • 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 Membership (effective 1 May 2026)

  • Stuart A. Whitehead (Chair, Great Bridge) [email protected]
  • Dr. Patrick H. Hannum (Norfolk)
  • Dr. Kenneth L. Hawkins, Jr. (Norfolk)
  • John Kuvakas (Culpeper Minute Men)
  • Edward Kimball Thompson II (Norfolk)
  • Thomas Badamo (Nansemond Indian Patriots)
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)