The Day old Fort Duquesne died
compiled by Jim Moyer 11/20/2019, updated 11/26/2020, 11/26/2020
Print Version of this Story – FORT DUQUESNE IS DONE
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Everything about the existence of forts in the Winchester Va area and old Frederick County VA were all about defending against the French and their Indians planning and sallying out of that fort.
November 24, 1758
Everyone is on edge. They want to make sure they can identify friendly Indians coming into camp at night. And then there was the issue of the dogs in camp. They kill all the dogs in camp. They're making too much noise.
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In the night, some one calls out, "Johnston?"
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"Is that you Johnston?" .
“The Army to March to morrow morning at 7 OClock, some of the Northern Indians now out upon the Scout to the French Fort, are expected in Camp this night the[y] will be receivd as Friends and known to the Guards and Sentries by calling out Johnston.”
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Nov 24, 1758. See source.
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They are close. Real close.
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So close they had to be quiet. Alert.
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That night they killed all the dogs too.
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“As the number of Dogs that follow the Troops are become a great Neausance in Camp the Provost is therefore to hang all Stray Dogs he Can find.”
. In addition to saying Johnston, an earlier order in the headwaters of Turtle Creek camp, this order on Nov 20, 1758 identifies Friendly Indians. . The Troops are to be informd that any Partys of Indians whom they meet Carrying a red rag at the end of a Pole are to be receivd as friends and likewise any Single Indians wearing a blue and red badge about their Heads as well as a Yellow one.3 .
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Source
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But then …. . An Indian Scout reports seeing smoke at Fort Duquesne.
The French destroyed their fort. They were leaving Fort DuQuesne, the point on the 3 Rivers, later to become Pittsburgh.
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In one day, Fort Loudoun Winchester VA won’t be necessary. Nor any of the other 100 or so fort and block houses will be needed.
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