General Braddock’s Grave

 

The year (1755) after George Washington’s defeat at Fort Necessity, Major General Edward Braddock sailed to this country with two British regiments to meet with Virginia Governer Dinwiddie. They joined forces, giving Braddock an army consisting of 2150 British Regulars and Virginia Militiamen, including George Washington and other commissioned officers. Braddock was at this time Commander-in-Chief of all British troops in America.

After deciding on a campaign to take Fort Duquesne from the French and claim the Allegheny region for their own, Braddock and his troops traveled to Fort Cumberland to organize. After a month they had collected 190 wagons, over 1500 horses, 8 friendly Indians, and many camp followers which included women. The horses and wagons were furnished by local farmers. Benjamin Franklin talked the locals into selling their goods to the army and Braddock claimed that he was the only man who he had met in the colonies who dealt with integrity!

When all the forces marched as far as the Little Meadow, Washington leant his experience to Braddock and suggested they move on with only their best troops and leave most of the cumbersome wagons behind. As they continued their march many French and Indians allied with the French followed their train to murder stragglers and relay messages back to Fort Duquesne. Chiefs Scarooyada and Monacatoocha with 150 English friendly Indians, joined Braddock’s army offering their services and advising the General on woods fighting. Braddock refused their offer to scout and guide for them, treating them with disgust, and they left him to his own fatal ways.

On June 29th the troops camped at present day Connellsville before moving to Jacob’s Creek (Mt. Pleasant) and holding a council of war. On July 8 Washington met the army just two miles east of the Monongahela River near the mouth of the Youghiogheny. The next day after crossing the river at the mouth of Turtle Creek, a savage squad of Indians and French attacked the British. Because Braddock fought in the British style-out in the open-he was easy prey for the woods fighters. Out of the 1460 men 456 were killed and 421 injured! George Washington was the only officer out of 89 who survived this battle, his earlier experience obviously saved him.

The local story goes that it was not the French enermy that got the General, but Tom Fossit who served the fatal blow. General Braddock insisted his men fight in the British fashion and beat them with his sword when they refused. Tom Fossits brother was on the receiving end of this treatment when Tom came to his rescue. The few men who were uninjured, for the most part, deserted the General here, but his body guard, Captain Stewart and about 100 soldiers were still intact. They transported the failing general to Gist’s place, waiting two days for provisions to arrive. When Stewart and his troops arrived at Dunbar’s Camp near Jumonville, they found most soldiers had deserted instead of fortifying the nearby fort! Supplies and artillary had been destroyed and buried and the General and his men began hauling what was left in wagons toward Cumberland. Here Braddock expired with Stewart, Washington, and Orme at his side. The faithful men buried their general then rode over his grave to hide it from the enemy. With his last breath, he bequethed to Washington his favorite horse and man servant.

While building the National Road in 1812 Tom Fossit showed Abraham Stewart where they had buried the man he killed to save his brother. Braddock’s remains were moved to the other side of the road where they remain today. The treasure which Braddock was to have in his possession has never been publicly found.

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Fort Necessity

Sunrise service at Fort Necessity, 1938

http://www.nps.gov/fone
The park is open daily from Sunrise - Sunset, all year;
Route 40, Farmington, PA    724-329-5512
All visitor facilities are closed:
November 11, In 2007, The Visitor Center will be open on Veterans Day, but closed Monday, November 12.
Thanksgiving Day,
December 25,
January 1,
Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and
George Washington's Birthday.

Fort Necessity/ National Road Interpretive & Education Center
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mount Washington Tavern
Open  April 15 - November 1 
The Mount Washington Tavern is closed for the winter months.
Jumonville Glen, Braddock's Grave parking area, and Picnic Area
Open during summer months only.