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| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - March 22 2015 : 10:39:15 AM
Washington's leadership at the Battle of Monongahela helped save the remnants of Braddock's army
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In the spring of 1755, a column of 2,100 British Regulars and 500 colonial militia commanded by Major General Edward Braddock, set out from Virginia to advance upon and take the French stronghold at Fort Duquesne. Braddock's column faced the daunting challenge of moving their men and material over the rough, densely wooded Allegheny Mountains.
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George Washington accompanied Braddock's column as an aide-de-camp to the general. Washington, who knew the terrain well, was recovering from a terrible case of dysentery as Braddock's force reached the Monongahela River ten miles from Fort Duquesne. - In a wooded ravine on the far side of the river, Braddock's leading force of 1,300 men was suddenly attacked and defeated by a smaller French and native force on July 9, 1755 at the Battle of Monongahela. - During the attack, most of the senior British officers, including Gen. Edward Braddock were killed or severely wounded. - With panic in the air, George Washington quickly rode into the fray and helped to reestablish some amount of order. - During the savage fight, Washington had two horses shot out from underneath him and his coat was pierced by four musket balls. - Washington's cool leadership helped many of the surviving soldiers to effectively escape the onslaught. - Despite the British loss of 977 killed or wounded, Washington was lauded as the "hero of Monongahela" by Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie and was given the rank of colonel in command of the 1,200 man Virginia Regiment.
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