Fort Bedford, Pennsylvania – Supplying Forbes Road
Nestled in the heart of present-day Bedford, Pennsylvania, lies a history deeply intertwined with the struggle for control of North America in the 18th century. Fort Bedford, a pivotal British military fortification during the French and Indian War, served as a vital supply depot and communication hub for General John Forbes’ campaign against Fort Duquesne. Its story is one of strategic planning, arduous construction, and a landscape shaped by conflict and expansion. This article delves into the history of Fort Bedford, its construction, purpose, and its role in the unfolding drama of colonial America.
The seeds of Fort Bedford were sown in the aftermath of General Edward Braddock’s disastrous defeat in 1755. With the British determined to wrest control of the Ohio River Valley from the French, General John Forbes was tasked with leading a new expedition to capture the strategically important Fort Duquesne. Learning from Braddock’s mistakes, Forbes recognized the critical importance of a secure supply line. His solution was the construction of a new military road stretching from eastern Pennsylvania, across the formidable Allegheny Mountains, to the western frontier. This road, known as Forbes Road, required a network of fortified posts to protect it from hostile Native American tribes and French incursions.
The construction of Forbes Road and its accompanying fortifications was a monumental undertaking. Colonel Henry Bouquet, under the command of General Forbes, was charged with overseeing the construction of these vital strongholds. After establishing Fort Juniata Crossing near present-day Breezewood, Pennsylvania, Bouquet and his men sought a suitable location for a major supply post further west. The ideal site needed to be both defensible and provide access to a reliable source of fresh water. This proved to be a challenge, as locations offering both advantages were scarce.
Ultimately, Bouquet selected a site adjacent to the Juniata River, just west of a strategic mountain gap known as "the narrows." This location, approximately one day’s march from Fort Juniata Crossing, aligned with the overall plan for the spacing of fortifications along Forbes Road. The chosen site was elevated, offering a natural defensive advantage. To overcome the lack of immediate water access, the engineers devised an ingenious solution: a fortified elevated gallery leading down to the Juniata River. This unique design, believed to be the only one of its kind in America, ensured a secure and reliable water supply for the garrison of Fort Bedford.
Construction of the fort commenced in the summer of 1758. Initially referred to as the "Camp at Raystown," the fortification was soon renamed Fort Bedford in honor of the Duke of Bedford, a prominent member of the British Crown’s ministry during the French and Indian War. The completed fort was an impressive star-shaped log fortress, encompassing approximately 1.45 acres. Its defenses included five bastions, substantial log walls, and a dry moat that was nine feet deep, ten feet wide at the bottom, and fifteen feet wide at the top. The main gate, located on the south side, was further protected by an earthen rampart. The north side, facing the river, featured the innovative fortified gallery that provided access to the water supply.
Fort Bedford quickly became a crucial link in the British supply chain. Described as the "Grand Central Station of the Forbes campaign," it served as a vital communication and supply depot as Forbes’ army advanced deeper into the western wilderness. Along with Fort Ligonier and Fort Pitt (formerly Fort Duquesne), it formed the east-to-west axis of the British military’s fortified presence in western Pennsylvania. General Forbes and Colonel Bouquet also used Fort Bedford as their headquarters during portions of the campaign, further underscoring its strategic importance. The British considered the fort to be virtually impregnable.
After the successful capture of Fort Duquesne in November 1758, the bulk of the British army moved further west. Fort Bedford continued to be garrisoned, typically by around 800 men, but saw relatively little direct combat action during the remainder of the French and Indian War. Its primary role remained that of a supply and communication center, supporting British military operations in the region.
As the French and Indian War drew to a close, the strategic landscape shifted. Troops were redeployed to other forts, and Fort Bedford‘s importance diminished. However, the fort’s presence had already left an indelible mark on the surrounding area. By the outbreak of Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763, the fort’s garrison had been reduced to a mere 12 Royal Americans under the command of Captain Lewis Ourry. Despite the weakened defenses, Fort Bedford was never directly attacked during the rebellion. However, local settlements were raided, and supply trains bound for the fort were targeted by Native American war parties. The arrival of reinforcements under Colonel Henry Bouquet in July 1763 helped to quell the unrest in the area.
Following Pontiac’s Rebellion, Fort Bedford gradually fell into disuse. By this time, however, a thriving community had grown around the fort, eventually becoming the town of Bedford. The fort had served as a catalyst for settlement and economic development in the region.
During the American Revolution, Fort Bedford was briefly re-garrisoned by the Patriot-sympathizing Bedford County Militia. The fort was intended to protect local settlers from raids by Native American bands allied with the British. A local legend claims that in 1769, a group of 18 men led by James Smith, known as the "Black Boys," captured the fort through a ruse. However, historical evidence suggests that the British had abandoned the fort three years prior to this alleged incident. The only known record of the event was written some 38 years after it supposedly occurred, casting further doubt on its accuracy.
After the American Revolutionary War ended, treaties signed in the 1780s diminished the threat of Native American raids in the area. Fort Bedford was once again abandoned and eventually razed. In 1794, President George Washington passed through the town of Bedford while leading troops to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania. By this time, the fort was no longer standing.
In 1958, a log blockhouse was reconstructed in Bedford to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Fort Bedford. This reconstructed blockhouse now serves as a museum operated by Bedford County, preserving the history of the fort and its role in shaping the region. While the exact location of the original fort has been lost to time, despite several archaeological investigations, historians believe it was situated somewhere along present-day East Pitt Street in Bedford, Pennsylvania. As author Larry Smith describes the area, the buildings that currently line Pitt Street occupy the area where the fort’s dry moat and stockade wall once stood.
Today, the Fort Bedford Museum stands as a testament to the fort’s legacy. Visitors can explore exhibits that detail the history of the French and Indian War, the construction of Forbes Road, and the daily life of soldiers and settlers in the 18th century. The museum also hosts events and educational programs that bring the past to life, ensuring that the story of Fort Bedford continues to be told for generations to come.