CHAPTER VI.

Transactions in Virginia.... Action at the Great Bridge....Norfolk evacuated... And burnt...Transactions of North Carolina....Action at Moore's Creek Bridge....Invasion of South Carolina....British fleet repulsed at fort Moultrie.... Transactions in New York....Measures leading to Independence ....Independence declared.

WHILST the war was carried on thus vigorously in the north, the southern colonies were not entirely unemployed. The convention which met at Richmond in Virginia (July 1775) proceeded to put the colony in a posture of defence. It was determined to raise two regiments of regular troops for one year, and to enlist a part of the militia as minute-men, who should encamp by regiments for a certain number of days in the spring and fall, for the purpose of training; and should at all times be ready to march, at a minute's warning, to any part of the colony for its defence.

Lord Dunmore, who was joined by such of his friends as had become too obnoxious to the people in general to be permitted to reside in safety among them, and by a number of slaves whom he encouraged to run away from their masters, and whom he furnished with arms, was collecting, under cover of the ships of war on that station, a considerable naval force, which threatened to be extremely troublesome in a country so intersected with large navigable rivers, as the colony of Virginia. With this force he carried on a slight

predatory war, and at length attempted to burn the town of Hampton. The inhabitants having received some intimation of this design, gave notice of it to the commanding officer at Williamsburg, where some regulars and minute-men were stationed, two companies of whom were detached to their assistance. Having marched all night, they reached the town in the morning of the 25th of October, just as the ships had begun to cannonade it. This re-enforcement throwing themselves into the houses near the water, and firing with their small arms into the vessels, soon obliged them to retreat precipitately from their stations, with the loss of a few men and a tender which was captured.

In consequence of this repulse, his lordship proclaimed martial law, and summoned all persons capable of bearing arms to repair to the royal standard, or be considered as traitors; and offered freedom to all indented servants and slaves who would join him.

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This proclamation made some impression about Norfolk, where the governor collected such a force of the disaffected and negroes, as gave him an entire ascendency in that part of the colony. body of militia who assembled to oppose him, were easily dispersed, and he flattered himself that he should soon bring the lower country to submit to the royal authority.

Intelligence of these transactions being received. at Williamsburg, a regiment of regulars, and about two hundred minute-men, were ordered