An early skirmish of the American Revolution where the Tories were defeated by the Virginia Regiment. Portsmouth native, Billy Flora, a free black man and Portsmouth’s local blacksmith, is often called the Hero of Great Bridge. He was a sentry and took it upon himself to fire on the British as they advanced across the bridge. Some stories indicate he actually removed the boards of the bridge to slow their advance. He was the last sentry to leave the bridge.
The Battle at Great Bridge and Billy Flora
December 9, 1775
An early skirmish of the American Revolution where the Tories were defeated by the Virginia Regiment. Portsmouth native, Billy Flora, a free black man and Portsmouth’s local blacksmith, is often called the Hero of Great Bridge. He was a sentry and took it upon himself to fire on the British as they advanced across the bridge. Some stories indicate he actually removed the boards of the bridge to slow their advance. He was the last sentry to leave the bridge.