Virginia's Committee of Safety had begun organizing…
November 1775 CE
The forces raised, led by Continental Army Colonel William Woodford, had not left Williamsburg until November 7 due to shortages of equipment and supplies.
They had been prevented from crossing the James River for a week by British ships sent by Dunmore to patrol the river.
Dunmore, who is operating from a Royal Navy ship, lands "109 Rank and file, with 22 Voluntteers from Norfolk" near Great Bridge on November 14, to investigate rumors that Patriot militia had arrived in the area from North Carolina.
His landing prompts the militia of Princess Anne County to be called out.
About one hundred and seventy men respond to the militia call issued by Joseph Hutchings, the local militia commander, and Anthony Lawson, a prominent local landowner.
They mustered at Kemp's Landing, about ten miles (sixteen kilometers) from Great Bridge, and set up an ambush along the road to Great Bridge.