Braddock, Edward (1695-1755), an English general, led British and colonial troops in a disastrous expedition against Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian War (see French and Indian wars). Braddock became commander of the British forces in America in 1754. He planned to capture Fort Duquesne (in present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) as his first move. Braddock landed at Alexandria, Virginia, in 1755 and assembled a force of some 2,200 men at Fort Cumberland, Maryland. George Washington was a member of Braddock’s staff.
The troops took a path that Washington had marked two years before. Braddock had a few Native American men to act as scouts. On July 9, the advance column of Braddock’s army, consisting of about 1,400 troops, was surprised by 900 French and Native American warriors in the woods near Fort Duquesne. The enemy fired into the column for three hours. Then the British “broke and ran,” said Washington, “as sheep before the hounds.” Braddock showed great bravery but died of wounds he received. More than half the troops and most of the officers in the advance column were killed or wounded.
Braddock was born in Perthshire, Scotland. He died on July 13, 1755.
