Cleanup crews damage Colonial American fort on Hudson River
General Electric crews dredging the Hudson River ripped away remnants of what was once Britain's biggest fort in Colonial America. The dredgers had torn out the riverbank along with 2 wooden beams that had been part of the original fort's waterfront bastion. Crews were supposed to stay clear of that stretch of riverbank because of its archaeological importance. The fort, built in 1755 at the beginning of the French and Indian War, was home to 15,000 troops and the base of operations for Rogers' Rangers, predecessors of American commandos. The village grew up on the fort's ruins, and the water bastion was the last piece of the fortress. (star-telegram.com)
British General John Forbes' campaign to take Fort Duquesne
The French and Indian War, 1754-1763, wasn't even really a "war," but rather the American front of the Seven Years War, an 18th-century war between England and France. Their hunting grounds besieged by immigrants, many American Indians joined forces with the French forces, which had a stronghold at Fort Duquesne. The British army's first attempt at taking this location, led by General Edward Braddock in 1755, ended in disaster. 3 years later, British General John Forbes launched a second attempt to take Fort Duquesne. The story of his expedition is told in "Pennsylvania's Forbes Trail: Gateways and Getaways along the Legendary Route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh". (altoonamirror.com)
Fort Loudoun gives taste of frontier conflicts
75 French and Indian War-era re-enactors will gather at Fort Loudoun on June 21-22 to reenact the Cherokee Council, an event that lasted for 2 days in June 1758. Re-enactors will do shows about historic weapons, Native American customs and military drills. Cherokee Council will be re-enacted, and David Dixon will speak on "Indian Diplomacy with the French and British in the Ohio Valley, 1758-1763." --- If you go: Travel guide "Pennsylvania's Forbes Trail" focuses on gateway communities across the state through which General John Forbes passed on his 1758 expedition to capture Pittsburgh's Point. (post-gazette.com)
Final beam of restored king's warehouse laid at Fort Ticonderoga
The last piece of the vision Stephen Pell had when he set out to restore Fort Ticonderoga a century ago is taking shape. Museum held a ceremony to celebrate the laying of the last beam in a structure on the fort's east side. The outside is designed to resemble the former king's warehouse, a part of the fort when it was known as Fort Carillon Inside will be conference rooms and exhibit space, enabling the fort to expand to a year-round operation. "It's our goal to keep this building here longer than the French did the first time." Audience laughed, knowing the original structure lasted 3 years before French forces blew it up as they evacuated the fort in 1759. (poststar)
Massac Milestone: Historic fort celebrates 250 years
Although there are stories of Spanish explorer Hernando Desoto using the strategic location as early as 1540, Fort De L'Ascension was the first fort on the site we now refer to as Fort Massac, built in 1757. Fort De L'Ascension was built at the beginning of the French and Indian War. Building began by 150 French personnel and 100 Native American allies on the feast day of Ascension in May 1757 and was completed 30 days later. During the war, the Fort was rebuilt and renamed "Massiac" in honor of a French Minister of Colonial Affairs. As the war ended in 1863, it was abandoned by the French and burned by the Chickasaw tribe. (southernillinoisan)
Remains discovered of 18th century French fort
Archaeological research at Point State Park in Pittsburgh have identified remains of a drainage system that once serviced Fort Duquesne. "This discovery is an important link to the structure that preceded Fort Pitt and it will be preserved as recommended by on-site archeologists and in consultation with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission." The fortification was established by the French in 1754 - and destroyed by the French as the British advanced in 1758 during the French and Indian War. The British, in turn, built Fort Pitt 1759-1761. (speroforum)
Colonial boat raised, destroyed in 1903 - Fort William Henry
In 1757, during the French and Indian War, an expedition of 1,500 regulars, Canadian soldiers, militiamen and American Indians was led against Fort William Henry. They destroyed by fire everything outside the fort, including a large number of bateaux; 4 sloops, one of which was pierced for cannon; a sawmill; two magazines full of provisions and military effects; and a small stockaded fort. In 1903, the remains of one of the sloops was raised. Many relics were found in the vessel: like 3 brass buckles, several buttons, a clay pipe, two jackknives, several flints, cuff buttons, lead bullets, a few grape shot and a Spanish coin dated 1743. (poststar)
Archaeologists seek evidence of Fort Robinson
July marked the 250th anniversary of a devastating attack on Perry County`s Fort Robinson during the French and Indian War. The search for the fort has taken off, and local archaeologists are working to uncover its history. Victor Hart and Steve Johnson have been conducting a simulated archaeology program for several years. The fort was the only protection for the early residents. The current dig site is the most likely former location of Fort Robinson. Hart cites the most important source for the fort`s history as a compilation of narratives from French and Indian War survivors. (cumberlink)
Remains of colonial establishment uncovered -
A colonial soldier's daily lot wasn't all fighting and bloodshed. They had their share of down time, and that's where the sutler came in, offering for sale two of the few diversions from frontier duty: alcohol and tobacco. A archaeological project has unearthed the 250-year-old site of a merchant's establishment that sold wine, rum and other goods to soldiers who passed through this region during the French and Indian War, when Fort Edward was the largest British military post in North America. Sutler was the name given to the merchants who arrived on the heels of the British army and sold what the redcoats wouldn't provide at a frontier outpost. (boston)