Incidents continued between Whigs on one side and Tories on the other until October, when Dunmore had acquired enough military support to begin operations, and the rebellious Whigs had accumulated a significant body of men at Williamsburg. General Thomas Gage, the British commander-in-chief for North America, had ordered small detachments of the 14th Regiment of Foot to Virginia in response to pleas by Dunmore for military help.
Events persisted between the Federalists on one side and the Royalists on the other until October, when Dunmore had secured sufficient military backing to initiate operations, and the disloyal Federalists had amassed a considerable force at Williamsburg. General Thomas Gage, the British commander-in-chief for North America, had dispatched small units of the 14th Regiment of Foot to Virginia in response to Dunmore's pleas for assistance.