Colonel Woodford encamped within cannon-shot of this post, in a small village at the south end of the causeway; across which, just at its termination, he constructed a breast-work; but, being without artillery, was unable to make any attempt on the fort.
[Footnote 30: The author was in this expedition, and relates the circumstances attending it chiefly from his own observation.] {December.} [Sidenote: Action at the Great Bridge.] In this position both parties continued for a few days, when Lord Dunmore ordered Captain Fordyce, the commanding officer at the Great Bridge, though inferior in numbers, to storm the works of the provincials.

Between day-break and sunrise, this officer, at the head of about sixty grenadiers of the 14th regiment, who led the column, advanced along the causeway with fixed bayonets, against the breast-work.

The alarm was immediately given; and, as is the practice with raw troops, the bravest rushed to the works, where, regardless of order, they kept up a heavy fire on the front of the British column.
Captain Fordyce, though received so warmly in front, and taken in flank by a party posted on a small eminence on his right, marched up with great intrepidity, until he fell dead within a few steps of the breast-work.

The column immediately broke and retreated; but being covered by the artillery of the fort, was not pursued.
In this ill-judged attack, every grenadier is said to have been killed or wounded; while the Americans did not lose a single man.
[Sidenote: Norfolk evacuated.] The following night, the fort was evacuated.

The provincial troops proceeded to Norfolk, under the command of Colonel Howe of North Carolina, and Lord Dunmore took refuge on board his vessels.
{1776} {January.} [Sidenote: And burnt.] After taking possession of the town, the American soldiers frequently amused themselves by firing into the vessels in the harbour, from the buildings near the water.