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 A Secret Grave - National Pike (U.S. 40) - Farmington, Pa Posted by:  Lat34North
N 39° 49.947 W 079° 36.056
17S E 619717 N 4410097
Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock was killed and buried near here during the French and Indian War. This marker is in Braddock Park near the Braddock memorial on the National Pike (U.S. 40) in Farmington, Pa.
Waymark Code: WMFJQT
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/27/2012
Views: 7
A Secret Grave
Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock—commander-in-chief of British forces in North America—traveled over the road trace below on June 25, 1755. Marching north with his 2,400-man army, the 60-year-old Braddock was under orders to capture Fort Duquesne and force the French from the Upper Ohio Valley.
However, disaster struck a few miles from Fort Duquesne on July 9. There they collided with about 200 French and 600 Indians. Disorganization and fear seized the British as they suffered about 900 casualties—more than half killed—out of 1,400 engaged. Braddock himself was mortally wounded.
On July 13, the British camped near here and Braddock died that night. He was buried under the road, in an unmarked grave to keep it from being disturbed by Indians. In 1804, workmen repairing this section of the Braddock Road discovered what is believed to be Braddock's original gravesite just downhill to the left. His remains were then reinterred on this hill and the granite monument was added in 1913 to mark the grave.
Erected by Fort Necessity National Battlefield, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
More Information:
Wikipedia - Edward Braddock
Wikipedia - Braddock expedition
Wikipedia - French and Indian War
NPS - Fort Necessity NB
Group that erected the marker: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
National Pike (U.S. 40) 1.2 miles east of Fayette Springs Road
Farmington, PA USA
15437
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Visit Instructions:
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