| A Short History of the 14th Regiment of Foote during the American Revolution part 2 |
| they advance. At 50 yards the rebels lay down a devastating fire and force the British to falter and fall back. Captain Fordyce rallies the troops and again advances, again there is a devastating fire and Captain Fordyce is killed along with two Lieutenants killed and on wounded. At this point the line breaks and all retreat across the bridge to the fort. Men of the Culpepper Minute Battalion follow over the bridge and fire at the retreating troops. As the day goes on the rebels come out to the field of battle and care for the wounded of both sides. Captain Leslie will later come out to the front of the fort and bow to the rebels in thanks for care of the wounded. Lord Dunmore reports only 50 men killed but from the blood and carnage on the field, bridge and fort the enemy estimates many more. That evening the British abandon the stockade and return to Norfolk. Although the town is fortified (unfortunately mostly on the seaside were there is little threat, continental navy?) it is soon abandoned also. Twenty cannons are spiked and left behind, loyalist are offered a chance to escape and all board the ships of the fleet (known as Dunmore's floating town). Actions of the Fleet Having so many people on the ships of the fleet, shortages were felt almost immediately and health deteriorated quickly. More time would used in acquiring food and water than in the service of quelling open rebellion in the colony. Late Dec The war ship HMS Liverpool arrives giving the Lord Dunmore enough firepower to make demands on the rebels. Lord Dunmore under a flag of truce reenters Norfolk and demands food and water or he would use the firepower of the fleet against Norfolk. The rebels refused. 31 Dec Lord Dunmore warns all women, children and loyalist to evacuate leave Norfolk as soon as possible. Evacuating troops burn 19 buildings on the wharf were snipers are thought to be, The fire spreads toward the rebels emboldening the troops to burn and pillage more. 1 Jan At dawn the fleet opens fire on the town. Between the firing (burning) of the buildings and the fleet firing on the town, Norfolk burns for three days. 863 buildings were destroyed. After the fleet left the rebels reoccupied the town but soon decide to burn it to keep Lord Dunmore from using it. After all was said and done, 1,298 buildings were destroyed and the 5th largest city in colonial America ceased to exist. The fleet left Norfolk for Turkey Point near Portsmouth were it would base operations. While at Turkey Point there were a series of small raids and skirmishes. The fleet would stay at Turkey point only until the late May when it would leave for Gwynn's Island. 1 June The fleet arrived at Gwynn's Island, there were more small raids carried out from here. Early July The rebel army forces Lord Dunmores troops and government from Gwynn's Island. Lord Dunmore finally bowed to the inevitable. Due to politics there would be no reinforcements from New York, famine, decease and battle took its toll on the troops, Virginia was lost. Withdrawal from service In August 1776, the fleet withdrew from the Chesapeake and headed to New York. The unit was withdrawn from service being severely under strength. From there the men where used to supplement other regiments the officers and music were sent back to England to recruit a new regiment. While in training one company of the 14th and 15th regiments was sent under the command of Col. Ferguson to America to test the concept of the rifle company with the Col�s. new rifle. The rifle company fought well in the battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania. After the experimental companies were returned to England they were made the Light companies of there respective regiments. The next duty of the regiments was Jamaica in 1782, thus ending their participation in the American Revolution. |
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