250 years ago, the Forbes Trail was completed in Pennsylvania.
John Forbes (1707-1759) was born in Scotland. Commissioned in the Scots Greys as a lieutenant in 1735, he saw some minor battle action until the French and Indian War broke out in the American Colonies. First assigned to fight for the British in Nova Scotia, he finally arrived in North America to defend Fort Louisburg against the French. In December of 1957 he was promoted to Brigadier General and was assigned to an expedition to capture Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh.
In 1758 General John Forbes began his move to capture Fort Duquesne. Another attempt by General Braddock and George Washington to capture the fort had failed. Braddock died in that attack. Forbes had a new plan. He was going begin a slow deliberate march to the fort, all the while securinghis lines of communication and supplies via a string of forts along a new road through Pennsylvania from the East.
Previously others had used what was called Braddock’s road to approach Fort Duquesne. Braddock’s road went from Western Maryland northwest to Pittsburgh, through Fort Cumberland and Fort Necessity. John Forbes decision was to use a different route almost straight east through the wilderness of Pennsylvania. Amongst political fighting from Pennsylvania and Virginia, both of whom claimed they were in charge of the Ohio River country around Pittsburgh, General Forbes plan was approved. He squelched their arguments by promising to improve Braddock’s road, for Virginians as well as build his new road for Pennsylvanians.
This left the French at Fort Duquesne in a dilemma. Now they would have to defend both roads, whereas previously they only had to defend Braddock’s Road. With 7000 troops, Forbes left Carlisle Pennsylvania into the wilderness where there previously were no roads. Prior to this there was a patchwork of roads from Philadelphia to Carlisle, but no road continuing to Pittsburgh. Forbes cut a 20 foot wide road from Carlisle over the Allegheny Mountains, through a supply fort at Raystown (Bedford) and Ligonier. This became Forbes Road. Forbes was ill during much of the trip of hacking through the wilderness, and had to be carried on a litter.
Today the Pennsylvania Turnpike parallels this trail as does U.S. Route 30. Parts of the original Forbes Road can still be seen.
Oh..and the result of Forbes expedition….12 miles from Fort Duquesne, Forbes troops were spotted. The French burned Fort Duquesne and abandoned it. Forbes took control of it and renamed it Pittsburgh, in honor of William Pitt, the British secretary of state. As well, now there was a road or roads connecting Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
…Continue Reading more genealogy information at Family History Research Information.
Recent Comments