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History
Old Fort Bedford was a
British stockade built in 1758 as part of the French
and Indian War campaign against the French at Fort
Duquesne. After several failed attempts in the early
1750s, the British launched a major offensive
against Fort Duquesne in 1758. Facing the formidable
task of crossing the Allegheny Mountains and the
threat of attack, numerous stockades were built
along the way west. Fort Bedford was constructed as
a key fortification along the military path --
Forbes Road -- and served as the staging area for
their successful campaign against the French.
The site was admirable. Bouquet and his engineer,
Captain Gordon, constructed one of the best of the
frontier forts at Bedford. Embracing an area of 7000
square yards, it had five bastions, places for the
use of swivel guns, which guarded the corners of the
irregularly shaped stockade. The main gate was on
the south side of the fort. Parallel with the
southern rampart ran Forbes Road, now known as Pitt
Street. There was also a smaller gate on the west
side, and a postern gate opening northward.
In order to secure the water and secure the banks of
the stream, a gallery with loopholes extended from
the central bastion on its north front down to the
water's edge. A ladder-like arrangement of steps led
down the riveršs bluff-like south bank. This
enclosed gallery was a real military curiosity. |
