Fort Duquesne

On the modern site of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fort Duquesne (Du-CANE), also Fort Prince George, Fort Pitt, Allegheny Promentory, and a handfull of other names was a key location in the French And Indian War.

The fort was first located by George Washington on his way back from peace talks with Marquis Duquesne.  The English attempted to build a fort at Allegheny Promentory, but the French Army drove them off.  When Washington went to relieve the garrison, he found them running back to Virginia.  Unable to attack the new fort, Washington instead attacked the French relief column at Great Meadows.  The Duquesne garrison drove George Washington back to Fort Necessity and finally back into Virginia.

The next attack was led by Edward Braddock.  Unlike Washington, Braddock marched his forces straight towards the fort.  The French deployed in a line across the main road and allowed the English to approach.  When the English stopped to fire, French colonials and their Algonquin allies swarmed out of the forest behind the English, cutting off their retreat.  Despite a valient effort by the English army, they were decimated and Braddock was killed by a French sniper.

The third attack came late in the war, and was led by John Forbes.  Rather than attack the fort directly, Forbes attacked the Indian allies, fighting a few small skirmishes.  He then made peace with the Indians, depriving the French of their much needed allies.  Without the support of the Algonquin tribes, the French deserted the fort without firing a shot.  The Britts renaimed the fort "Fort Pitt" in honor of their Prime Minister.

For Duquesne was located where the Alegheney and Monongahela meet to form the Ohio.