Historical Background
Almost three years after Braddock’s defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela, England sent Brigadier General John Forbes to take Fort Duquesne. Colonel Bouquet, second in command of Forbes’ army and camped at Ligonier, gave permission to Major Grant to reconnoitre Fort Duquesne.
Grant, with about 800 men, managed his march so adroitly that his approach was undetected even by the Indians. He reached what became known as Grant’s hill, about a mile away from the fort, during the night of September 13, 1758. Meanwhile, Fort Duquesne had been strongly reinforced by Captain Aubry and his men coming up from the Illinois region.
Grant, believing that the fort was meagerly guarded, decided to far exceed his orders and authority to personally capture the stronghold. Captain Lewis with most of the Virginians and the Royal Americans were sent to the rear to guard the baggage.
The Highlanders, Pennsylvanians and Marylanders were set at the front. He placed Captain McKenzie, with 250 men to the left (Monongahela side), and 100 Pennsylvanians to the right (Allegheny side). Grant then ordered Captain McDonald with 100 Highlanders to go forward and assault the fort while beating drums and playing bagpipes.
The French garrison awoke and the Indians, camped along the riverbanks, grabbed their scalping knives and tomahawks. They knew this triangle of the Forks far better than Grant, and they knew guerilla fighting tactics.
As Grant’s Army was surrounded, Lewis hastened to Grant’s relief. But Grant had left his ground, retreating in another direction. Both were taken prisoners along with McKenzie, while Captain McDonald was killed. The carnage and the route almost rivaled Braddock’s defeat three years before. What was left of the army made it’s hard way back to Loyal Hannon, and the French flag still flew over Fort Duquesne.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?
Battle Notes
French Army
• Commander: Lignery
• 5 Command cards & 4 Combat cards.
• Move First
British Army
• Commander:Grant
• 4 Command cards & 2 Combat cards
Victory
7 Victory Banners
Special Rules
- The Monongahela and Allegheny rivers are impassable except at the two River Crossings, represented by ford hexes.
- The River Crossings on the Allegheny are only usable by the French.
- The River Crossing on the Monongahela (outlined in red) is an exit point for the British. A British unit that exits from this hex gains one victory banner.
- Indian “War Cry” is in effect