If Colonel Washington would have had it his way….

The Forbes Military Highway would have never existed. Colonel Washington help construct the Braddock Trail and had some bitter memories of the defeat there. The future father of our country, a young and ambitious leader who took issue with Forbes and Bouquet in the route chosen. Washington believed too much effort would be expended navigating the Alleghenies when the Braddock Trail was already prepared and ready.

However, Forbes and Bouquet, both brilliant leaders, were able to carry out their plan to cross the Alleghenies. Forbes knew the French mind and knew the French would fortify the Braddock route and conduct damaging raids to cripple the British advance on Fort Duquesne. Although the Forbes Military Highway was a tough way to go, Forbes and Bouquet were able to move the men and machines of war across the Laurel Highlands relatively undetected. Even though no formal military skirmish occurred in Somerset County, this spoke well for the Forbes plan.

The French finally caught wind of a British troop build up at Fort Ligonier. This fortified western outpost was raided by the French and Indians but only after the British had secured Ligonier and amassed their troops within striking range of Fort Duquesne.

The speed and successful passage through the Alleghenies was a key to Forbes’s success. Records indicate Forbes had difficulties launching the “Expedition against Duquesne” early on. He actually had a late start in moving out of the main encampment due to wrangling over supplies and manpower. His movement was further complicated by the differences of opinion between his officers such as Colonel Washington. However, the true military brilliance of Forbes and his assistant, Bouquet, predominated.

Fort Duart is one part of this brilliance. This fort and others like it defended the highway and supplied the troops through the arduous journey up the eastern face of the Alleghenies and across the Laurel Highlands. It offered rest from the hard climb through Rhor’s Gap and a chance to prepare for the next day’s travels.