Battle of the Monongahela
Braddock's Field, Braddock, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
What happened
A British and colonial army under General Edward Braddock, with the young George Washington, fought French troops and Native American allies under Captain Daniel de Beaujeu and Captain Jean-Daniel Dumas. In the French and Indian War, Braddock led an army through the forest to capture the French Fort Duquesne. Near the Monongahela River his column met French and Native warriors, who spread out through the woods and fired from cover. After about three hours the British, trained to fight in open fields, retreated in disorder, and Braddock was mortally wounded.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the worst defeats in British colonial history and ended Braddock's expedition. Washington's courage in organising the retreat made his reputation.
What came next
Braddock died four days later and was buried in the road his men had cut, with Washington leading the service. The French held the Ohio Country until they abandoned Fort Duquesne in 1758.
Did you know?
Daniel Boone, later a famous frontiersman, was a wagon driver on the expedition and narrowly escaped.
Timeline
- 20 February 1755Braddock lands in Virginia.
- 9 July 1755The French and Native allies win at the Monongahela.
- 13 July 1755Braddock dies of his wounds.
- 1758The French abandon Fort Duquesne.
- 1913A monument is placed over Braddock's grave.