Braddock
Carnegie Library: Braddock's Field Historical Society and Museum
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The
French & Indian War and
The Battle of
Braddock
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.
In addition to being the
organizing force behind saving the Braddock Carnegie Library, the Braddock’s
Field Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history surrounding
General Braddock and the French and Indian War. In 1999, the French & Indian War
Museum & Gallery, located on the Library’s second floor, was opened. In 2001, four paintings purchased by
Braddock area merchants and school children in 1911 were returned to the
Museum. Including Emmanuel Leutze’s
Braddock’s Defeat and Frederic James’ Franklin and Braddock, the
paintings had been missing since 1985.
Visit our Museum & Gallery to see artifacts and pictorial depictions of the battle and to learn more about this significant era in American history.
© 2004 Braddock's Field Historical
Society/Braddock Carnegie Library
Last updated Sept. 22, 2004