Lord Dunmore, last Royal Governor, driven from Williamsburg, sought refuge at Gosport with Sprowle, a Tory.
April 5, 1776
After his defeat at the Battle of Great Bridge, his ships bombarded Norfolk. He made his final stand at Hospital Point, Portsmouth, before being driven from the harbor. Portsmouth was then occupied by the 4th Virginia Regiment, and Fort Nelson was built at Hospital Point. Short of troops Dunmore issued the first emancipation proclamation saying any slave who left his master and joined the British army would be free, as would his family. The “Ethiopian Regiment” was created.
Lord Dunmore, last Royal Governor, driven from Williamsburg, sought refuge at Gosport with Sprowle, a Tory.
April 5, 1776
After his defeat at the Battle of Great Bridge, his ships bombarded Norfolk. He made his final stand at Hospital Point, Portsmouth, before being driven from the harbor. Portsmouth was then occupied by the 4th Virginia Regiment, and Fort Nelson was built at Hospital Point. Short of troops Dunmore issued the first emancipation proclamation saying any slave who left his master and joined the British army would be free, as would his family. The “Ethiopian Regiment” was created.