Braddock, Edward

Braddock, Edward (1695–1755).British Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock had served in Flanders and commanded at Gibraltar, but had no battle command experience when sent with two understrength regiments to repel French “encroachments” in North America. From his arrival in Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 20 February 1755, this gruff but humane disciplinarian led the colonial governors in organizing an unexpectedly ambitious campaign involving four independent expeditions against Fort Beauséjour, Fort St. Frédéric, Fort Niagara, and Fort Duquesne.

Braddock personally, and efficiently, commanded the expedition to Fort Duquesne in western Pennsylvania in the face of major transport shortages, minimal Indian support, and mountainous terrain that hindered movement of his heavy artillery. His army advanced 150 miles from Alexandria to Little Meadows; then Braddock led a force of 1,450 that reached the Monongahela River on 8 July. The next day, this column was surprised, completely disorganized, and defeated by a force of 783 French, Canadians, and Indians. Severely wounded after having several horses killed under him, Braddock died four days later. Although not personally culpable for the defeat, he came to bear the opprobrium that accompanied this disaster.
[See also Braddock's Defeat; French and Indian War.]

Bibliography

Lee McCardell , Ill‐Starred General, 1958.

Ian K. Steele