About

During the French and Indian War, Virginia’s young Col. George Washington served in three military campaigns to defeat French and Indian forces at the Forks of the Ohio (today’s Pittsburgh). The first two expeditions—in 1754 and 1755—were unmitigated disasters for Virginia and British forces. In 1758, however, Washington led colonial troops in a successful Anglo-American campaign led by British General John Forbes to capture and destroy the French stronghold at the Forks called Fort Duquesne. Hear from John Maass, historian and museum educator, how the third try to oust the French from the Ohio River Valley was difficult but ultimately victorious.

Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).