Newsela Formative

Washington hired a French translator, Jacob Van Braam, and a land surveyor named Christopher Gist, and they purchased horses and supplies and headed west.

Rain and heavy snow slowed their progress.

Native American attacks and ice-swollen rivers nearly killed them.

From there, Washington continued alone.

Forbes recognized that Washington, who had returned to command the Virginia regiment in 1756, could be of useful service to him. Forbes made good use of the young colonel and Washington learned invaluable lessons on how an army should be organized, supplied and fought in North America.

Still the English did not give up. In 1757, they sent Brigadier General John Forbes to North America to capture Fort Duquesne. Forbes spent months clearing a road. When he attacked on November 25, 1758, the French were outnumbered, so they burned their fort and retreated. Forbes rebuilt the fort, renaming it Fort Pitt. The surrounding area he called Pittsburgh.

When Braddock arrived, Washington volunteered to serve. In July 1755, the English were ambushed and General Braddock was killed. However, Washington helped save the soldiers and his bravery was celebrated at home and in England.

Washington and Mckay made their report to Dinwiddie and it was sent on to London. Back in England, it was reported that "the volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire." So in January 1755, Major General Edward Braddock and two Irish regiments set sail for North America to take Ohio country from the French.

Other

It shows the consequences of the French and Indian War.

It shows the important role of money and taxes in war.

It shows the connection between the French and the Americans.

It shows the importance of the American Revolution in history.

compare and contrast

historical biography

list of important events

detailed historical narrative