I took an afternoon ride north into Pennsylvania to Rt 40 or the old "National Road". The area is where George Washington leading 132 men of the Virginia Militia along with some Indian scouts find and attack a party of French, killing 10 (which eventually escalates to the French and Indian War). When the French up at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) learn of this they sent troops after Colonel Washington who has retreated to a clearing to erect a fort as such, Fort Necessity. Most everything goes against Washington, he's outnumbered, constant heavy rain filled his trenches, the clearing was not big enough which enabled the French and Indians to shoot from the tree line. Washington surrenders for the first and only time of his career, the French keep the swivel guns but let Washington and his militia return back to Virginia.
Needless to say the British are upset about this and send an army of 2,400 under General Braddock to rout the French out of Fort Duquesne. Braddock brings Colonel Washington (since he's been to the area) and marches west along what later becomes the National Road. Unfortunately near the Monongahela river French and Indians are waiting, ambush and defeat the army, mortally wounding Braddock. What's left of the army retreats with Braddock who dies a few days later and then is being buried under the road. I thought what an agonizing 3 days General Braddock must have experienced on horseback or maybe bouncing in a wagon.
Needless to say the British are upset about this and send an army of 2,400 under General Braddock to rout the French out of Fort Duquesne. Braddock brings Colonel Washington (since he's been to the area) and marches west along what later becomes the National Road. Unfortunately near the Monongahela river French and Indians are waiting, ambush and defeat the army, mortally wounding Braddock. What's left of the army retreats with Braddock who dies a few days later and then is being buried under the road. I thought what an agonizing 3 days General Braddock must have experienced on horseback or maybe bouncing in a wagon.
