Braddock's Defeat
General Braddock Takes Command
Although officially not at war, both France and Britain supported the fighting by sending troops and supplies to North America. The British sent major General Edward Braddock to take command of all the British forces in North America. Braddock invited George Washington to join him as a volunteer. Washington eagerly accepted and went along as his aide. Braddock's task: Capture Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio with 2,400 troops.
While preparing at Fort Cumberland, General Braddock managed to anger and alienate almost all of the Native Americans who had come to participate as allies. Shingas, the leader of the Ohio River Valley Delaware, was so angry he left and immediately joined the French. Only seven Native Americans stayed to assist the British.
Click on the Primary Source titled Shingas a Delaware Speaks.
Shingas Primary Source.pdf
Captain Daniel de Beaujeu
The French at Fort Duquesne were well informed by their Native American scouts of Braddock's progress. The French had hundreds of Native American allies at Fort Duquesne. However, many of the Native American warriors were unwilling to fight because of the size of General Braddock's army. On the morning of July 9th French Captain Daniel de Beaujeu (BOH-joh) did the impossible. He convinced the Native Americans to join the French. That morning, 254 French and 637 Native Americans left Fort Duquesne to attack the British.
Ed Puzzle Time!
Watch the video on the Battle of the Monongahela. As you watch the video, be sure to answer the questions on your eBackpack PDF!
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