FORBES TAKES FORT DU QUESNE.

In all probability, the destruction of Frontenac facilitated the
expedition against Fort du Quesne, intrusted to the conduct of brigadier
Forbes, who, with his little army, began his march in the beginning
of July from Philadelphia for the river Ohio, a prodigious tract of
country very little known, destitute of military roads, incumbered with
mountains, morasses, and woods, that were almost impenetrable. It was
not without incredible exertion of industry, that he procured provisions
and carriages for this expedition, formed new roads, extended scouting
parties, secured camps, and surmounted many other difficulties in the
course of his tedious march, during which he was also harassed by small
detachments of the enemy's Indians. Having penetrated with the main
body as far as Ray's-Town, at the distance of ninety miles from Fort du
Quesne, and advanced colonel Bouquet with two thousand men, about fifty
miles farther, to a place called Lyal-Henning, this officer detached
major Grant at the head of eight hundred men, to reconnoitre the fort
and its out-works. The enemy perceiving him approach, sent a body of
troops against him, sufficient to surround his whole detachment; a
very severe action began, which the English maintained with their
usual courage for three hours, against cruel odds; but at length, being
overpowered by numbers, they were obliged to give way, and retired
in disorder to Lyal-Henning, with the loss of about three hundred men
killed or taken, including major Grant, who was carried prisoner to Fort
du Quesne, and nineteen officers. Notwithstanding this mortifying check,
brigadier Forbes advanced with the army, resolved to prosecute his
operations with vigour; but the enemy, dreading the prospect of a siege,
dismantled and abandoned the fort, and retired down the river Ohio,
to their settlements on the Mississippi. They quitted the fort on the
twenty-fourth day of November, and next clay it was possessed by the
British forces. As for the Indians of this country, they seemed heartily
to renounce their connexions with France, and be perfectly reconciled
to the government of his Britannic majesty. Brigadier Forbes having
repaired the fort, changed its name from du Quesne to Pittsburgh,
secured it with a garrison of provincials, and concluded treaties of
friendship and alliance with the Indian tribes. Then he marched back to
Philadelphia, and in his retreat built a block-house, near