Deep in the woods of western Maryland, a lone sign still marks the brutal path of a doomed army.
On June 15, 1755, General Edward Braddock’s force of 2100 troops, 1500 horses, 200 wagons, and 12 cannons crossed the Allegheny Mountains along what became Braddock’s Road. The rocky ascent of more than two miles was extremely rugged and nearly perpendicular in places.
In the struggle three wagons were entirely demolished and several others shattered. 60 naval seamen attached to the army used ropes and pulleys to lower the wagons and cannons down the west side of the mountain near St. John’s Rock on Big Savage Mountain.
Young George Washington served as Braddock’s aide de camp on this march toward Fort Duquesne. The expedition ended weeks later in disaster at the Battle of the Monongahela.
🇺🇸 Took the kids hiking in western Maryland today. Unexpected company: George Washington, 1755.
Wanted to check out some fall foliage so we hiked to St. John’s Rock on Big Savage Mountain in our travels. Was not expecting to see this sign in the woods. How cool, and you could probably imagine my reaction!
I’ll put a close up picture of the writeup in the comments. It’s a really neat read.
Also, Garrett County, MD is beautiful!