Braddock's Field

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On July 9, 1755, General Edward Braddock, leading an army comprised of British regulars and Colonial recruits, was enroute to capture Fort Duquesne, at the mouth of the Ohio River. Braddock's army, consisting of approximately 2,000 officers and men (about 500 of whom were colonials) was in the final stage of a difficult 110 mile march from Fort Cumberland, Maryland. A sizable number of wagoneers and aides-de-camp accompanied the army, along with more than 40 women.

After twice crossing the Monogahela River, Braddock's troops encountered opposition consisting of approximately 650 Indians and 250 French and Canadians who had rushed out from Fort Duquesne to engage Braddock's forces enroute to the Fort. A three hour battle ensued. The defeat of the British and colonial forces by the Indians and French shocked both the colonies and Europe. It was here that the legend of George Washington's leadership began and where colonials concluded they had overestimated the prowess of the British military. Both factors contributed to the American Revolution twenty years later. The alumni of Braddock’s Expedition comprise a who's who of colonial history.