who met with a reception that compelled them to abandon the enterprise. The town was soon after strengthened by the arrival of Woodford, who posted his men in the most advantageous situation to repel an attack. Early in the morning, the fleet of Dunmore appeared in view, and began to cannonade the town, The firing was answered from the beach by the riflemen, who under cover of woods and bushes annoyed the enemy on their decks and compelled them to retire.

Dunmore next attempted to get possession of some cannon belonging to the colony, in Princess Anne county. Colonel Hutchinson, the county commandant, having received intelligence of his lordship's movements, prepared to attack him on his way thither. For this purpose, he placed a number of men in ambush on the road which Dunmore was expected to take. But the plan was better laid than executed. On the approach of the enemy the party was thrown into confusion, and their commander and some of the men were made prisoners.

After this affair Dunmore finding that the provincials were preparing to attack him, took a strong position at Great Bridge, on Elizabeth river, where he hoped to intercept the militia that were marching against him. Here he erected a fort, which he garrisoned with a company of regulars under major Leslie.

The committee to whom was intrusted the defence of the colony, sent colonel Woodford with the second regiment, and a party of mili tia, to dislodge the enemy from their post. This officer, having despatched colonel Scott and major Marshall* with part of the troops in advance, proceeded with the remainder to Suffolk, where he was joined by a number of equestrian volunteers. Meanwhile the advance detachment under Scott and Marshall, having seized all the boats in the river, were ready to cross and attack the enemy. On the arrival of Woodford a breastwork was constructed within cannon shot of the fort, but for want of artillery no attack could be made.

*Father of the present Chief Justice.

On the ninth of December captain Fordyce was ordered to storm the works of the provincials. At sunrise a column, led by about sixty grenadiers, advanced along the bridge with fixed bayonets against the breastwork. They were saluted by a heavy fire in front, and attacked in flank by a small party under captain Stevens, who was posted on an eminence on the left. Under this destructive fire they continued to advance, until the fall of the commandant, within a few steps of the breastwork, was taken as a signal for retreat. In this ill-judged attack almost every grenadier was either killed or wounded. Their retreat was covered by the cannon of the fort. After this repulse lord Dunmore and most of his followers took refuge on board his vessels, and the provincial troops marched into Norfolk.

During their stay in Norfolk the soldiers considerably annoyed the enemy, by firing into their vessels, under cover of the houses which stood along the shore. In revenge for these insults, lord Dunmore commenced a heavy cannonade on the town. On the night of the 1st

of January 1776, a party of the enemy landed under cover of their cannon, and set fire to the houses near the river which afforded shelter to our troops. The latter beheld the progress of the flames with less concern, from an apprehension that the British designed to make Norfolk a permanent post. Impressed with this idea, the committee of public safety sent orders to colonel Howe, who commanded in Norfolk, to destroy the remainder of the town. Thus was the most populous* town in Virginia reduced to ashes, from a vain hope that its destruction would remove the seat of the war from our colony.

Colonel Howe was assisted in the command at Norfolk by colonels Woodford and Stevens, two able and zealous officers. In addition to the two regiments already in service, the convention determined to raise seven more for the defence of the colony.†

After the vote of the convention for raising

* Norfolk contained near 6000 inhabitants.

+ For note see the next page.

the new troops had taken place, the committee of safety informed their representatives in congress of that measure, desiring them to use their endeavours to have the whole supported from the continental treasury. Only six regiments, however, were received into pay by congress, who granted commissions to the officers in the order they stood recommended by the convention, beginning with colonel Henry of the first, and ending with colonel Buckner of the sixth regiment.

Colonel Henry, on being offered his commission, declined the honour, having determined to retire from military service. He accordingly resigned the command he held under the convention, and retired to his residence in

† The following gentlemen were also chosen as field officers to the troops about to be raised.