Forbes Road
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History of Forbes RoadForbes Road (1758) - A military road established in 1758 under the Direction of British Brigadier General John Forbes during the French & Indian War. The road connected Carlisle Barracks in central Pennsylvania with Forbes military objective, the French Fort Duquesne, in present day Pittsburgh. British Major General Edward Braddock had previously attempted to capture Fort Duquesne cutting a road along a different path. Braddock was defeated by the French 10 miles east of Fort Duquesne with heavy losses and Braddock himself was mortally wounded and died four days after the battle. The new Forbes Road followed some existing trading routes known as the Raystown Path, or Old Trading Path, widened to accomodate wagons. At strategic points Forbes placed Forts to protect the supply lines and hold stores of equipment and men. The primary obstacle along the road was the Appalachian Mountain range which formed a series of steep ridges in the path of the road. The British engineers completed the road in November 1758 and General Forbes marshaled troops and supplies at his base of operations at Fort Ligonier for the attack on Fort Duquesne. The French tested the defenses along the road and at Fort Ligonier and found them too strong for their forces. They then decided to abandon Fort Duquesne and burned it to the ground.
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