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Hampton Roads Heritage Hunt: Chesapeake

Chesapeake Locations:

1) Great Bridge Battlefield, 1775 Historic Way

2) The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, 1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Scroll down for more information about each site and for the questions to answer!


men in red coats advance on breastworks
Caption: British Grenadiers advance toward Patriot breastworks on December 9, 1775. The British were unsuccessful, sustaining 100 casualties. The Battle of Great Bridge was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War. Painting by Glenn Moore.

 

Location : Great Bridge Battlefield Visitor Center

1775 Historic Way, Chesapeake Virginia 23320

Title: Listen to this clip to learn about the Battle of Great Bridge.

man in kilt
Caption: John Murray (Lord Dunmore) was the last Royal Governor of Virginia. His popularity among Virginians faltered after he ordered gunpowder removed from the public magazine in Williamsburg, which still stands today. Following the incident, he relocated to Hampton Roads. His actions greatly contributed to the Patriot movement in Southeast Virginia.

 

Heritage Hunt Questions for Great Bridge

12) Find the memorial dedicated to the Patriots at Great Bridge. How many counties and cities are represented?

13) Can you find the approximate location of Fort Murray? Hint: There is a map on site. Take a picture of where Fort Murray stood.

14) Name the free African American Patriot from Portsmouth who fought in the Battle of Great Bridge and went on to fight at Yorktown.


African Americans escape through the Dismal Swamp
Caption: This painting by Thomas Moran depicts enslaved African Americans escaping through the Dismal Swamp.

 

Location: The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

Title: Listen to this clip to learn about the Battle of Roanoke and the Dismal Swamp Canal.

map of the canal
Caption: An 1867 map of the Dismal Swamp Canal and branch canals.

 

Heritage Hunt Questions for the Dismal Swamp Canal 

15) What Confederate ship passed through this location on its way to Norfolk on February 10, 1862?

16) Find “Chessie” the bear and take a family photo.


map showing the battle
Caption: Lt. Andrews of the 9th NY drew this map of the Battle of Roanoke, February 8, 1862.

 

Your next city on the Heritage Hunt will be Suffolk! Click here to go to the Suffolk page.

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Published: Wed Jun 26 14:59:56 EDT 2024