Battle of the Monongahela (also known as Braddock's Defeat) on July 9, 1755

Did you know? George Washington survived this battle with multiple bullet holes in his uniform but emerging unscathed.

The Battle of Monongahela remains a key moment in early American military history, blending tragedy with the emergence of a future leader.

Painting source: George Washington rallying the broken forces at the Battle of Monongahela on July 9, 1755. [Washington the Solider], c.1834, Library of Congress.

The Battle of Monongahela, fought on July 9, 1755, near present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a significant engagement during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the North American theater of the Seven Years' War. It is commonly known as Braddock's Defeat due to the disastrous outcome for British forces under General Edward Braddock and the pivotal role of a young George Washington.

Heavy British casualties, included Braddock himself. The battle resulted in every soldier on horseback being shot, except Washington, and cemented Washington's reputation as a resilient leader.

There are well-documented historical accounts of George Washington surviving this battle with multiple bullet holes in his uniform but emerging unscathed.

At the time, Washington was a 23-year-old colonel serving as an aide-de-camp to British General Edward Braddock. Washington played a heroic role in rallying the troops and organizing the retreat, riding back and forth during the battle, delivering orders for General Braddock through intense gunfire. He had two horses shot out from under him and later discovered four bullet holes in his coat (some accounts mention up to eight, though four is the most commonly cited number), along with bullet fragments in his hair, but he sustained no injuries. He attributed his survival to divine providence, famously writing in a letter to his brother, John Augustine Washington shortly after from Fort Cumberland on July 18, 1755:

"As I have heard, since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, and of assuring you, that I have not as yet composed the latter. But by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!"

Primary Historical Account: Washington's Own Letter

The earliest and most direct evidence comes from Washington's letter dated July 18, 1755, written from Fort Cumberland to his brother John Augustine Washington:

"Dear Brother,

... I luckily escaped without a wound, yea, I had four Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, altho' Death was levelling my companions on every side of me!"

This letter is preserved in historical archives and quoted in numerous biographies, including those by Ron Chernow (Washington: A Life) and David McCullough (1776).

Eyewitness Accounts

Dr. James Craik (Washington's Surgeon and Companion): Craik, who treated the wounded after the battle, corroborated Washington's survival. In a 1765 affidavit, Craik described Washington as "the only officer untouched" amid the chaos, with his coat riddled by bullets.
Native American Chief's Testimony: In 1770, an elderly Delaware Indian chief (who had led warriors in the 1755 ambush) sought out Washington during a hunting trip in the Pennsylvania woods. The chief recounted ordering his men to target the mounted officers, firing 17 shots at Washington personally, but missing every time. He declared Washington "protected by the Great Spirit" and destined to lead a great nation. This account was recorded by Dr. Craik and published in 1833 in The Analectic Magazine.

Historical Sources

Primary: Washington’s letter to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755), archived at the Library of Congress.
Secondary: Accounts from Dr. James Craik (1765 affidavit), Ron Chernow’s Washington: A Life, and the Mount Vernon website.
Modern Discussion: X posts (e.g., @RockyBullwinkl9, January 2025) reference it as a "miracle," aligning with historical narratives.

HISTORY LOVERS READ ON!

The Battle of the Monongahela, also known as Braddock's Defeat, occurred on July 9, 1755, during the French and Indian War. A British force of about 1,300–1,400 men under Major General Edward Braddock advanced toward Fort Duquesne (modern-day Pittsburgh) to expel French forces from the Ohio Valley. After crossing the Monongahela River twice, the column was ambushed by a smaller Franco-Indian force of roughly 600 warriors and soldiers led by Captain Daniel de Beaujeu (who was killed early in the fighting) and later by Captain Jean-Daniel Dumas. The British, employing rigid European linear tactics ill-suited to the wooded terrain, suffered heavy casualties—456 killed and 422 wounded—while the attackers lost around 30 men. Braddock was mortally wounded and died four days later. George Washington, serving as an aide-de-camp, played a key role in the retreat. The defeat shocked British colonial authorities, delayed conquest of the Ohio Valley until 1758, and highlighted the need for adapted frontier warfare tactics.

Map source: https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3824p.ar303900/?r=-0.063,0,1.124,0.671,0

The Battle

Date and Location: July 9, 1755, along the Monongahela River, about 10 miles from Fort Duquesne.
British Plan: Braddock’s army marched from Fort Cumberland, Maryland, toward Fort Duquesne, using a narrow trail through thick forests. The plan was a conventional European-style advance with a vanguard, main body, and rear guard, expecting a pitched battle.
Ambush: On the morning of July 9, as the British vanguard approached a ford, Beaujeu’s forces launched a surprise attack. The Native warriors used the terrain—trees, ravines, and underbrush—to encircle the British, firing from concealed positions. The French regulars supported with disciplined volleys.
Chaos and Collapse: The British formation broke under the crossfire. Their redcoats made them easy targets, and the dense forest prevented effective counterattacks. Braddock attempted to reorganize his lines but was mortally wounded (shot in the lung) after multiple volleys. Panic ensued, with soldiers firing wildly, often hitting their own men. The colonial militia, including Washington, tried to rally the troops, but the British suffered heavy casualties.
Washington’s Role: Washington rode through the chaos, delivering orders and organizing a retreat. He had two horses shot from under him and later found four bullet holes in his coat (some accounts say up to eight), yet he was uninjured. His leadership helped save about 500 men, though the retreat was disorderly.

Outcome

Casualties:

British: Approximately 456 killed and 422 wounded (over 60% of the force), including nearly all senior officers.
French and Native: Around 23 killed and 16 wounded, a testament to their effective ambush.

Aftermath: The British retreated 60 miles to Fort Cumberland. Braddock died on July 13 and was buried in the road to prevent desecration. The defeat delayed British plans to capture Fort Duquesne, which remained French until 1758.
Strategic Impact: The loss exposed British vulnerabilities and boosted French and Native morale. It also marked a turning point, pushing the British to adapt tactics, eventually leading to success under leaders like John Forbes.

Significance

Washington’s Reputation: His survival and composure under fire, despite the bullet-riddled uniform, earned him respect. He wrote to his brother on July 18, 1755: "By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation." This event became a cornerstone of his legend.
Tactical Lessons: The battle underscored the need for irregular warfare tactics, influencing British strategy and Washington’s later command during the American Revolution.

Firsthand Accounts

Eyewitness testimonies reveal the chaos of the ambush, the failure of British tactics against irregular warfare, and acts of individual bravery. Below are curated excerpts from primary sources—letters, journals, and reports written by participants shortly after the battle. These are transcribed from archives like Founders Online (National Archives) and historical collections. I've included context for each.

George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie (July 18, 1755)
Washington, Braddock's 23-year-old aide-de-camp, helped organize the retreat after Braddock was shot. His letter, written from Fort Cumberland, provides a tactical overview and casualty estimate. "We were attacked... very warmly by a party of French and Indians, whose number we could not discover. Our troops were seized with a pannick, and immediately began to give way... The General was wounded in the shoulder and lungs... We had 23 Officers killed and 17 wounded... The Provincials stood it well, and behaved with great bravery... But the Regulars broke and fled."
Source: Founders Online, National Archives. Full letter: View here.
Significance: Washington's account praises colonial provincials (like Virginians) over British regulars, foreshadowing tensions that fueled the Revolution.
Journal of Captain Robert Orme (Aide-de-Camp to Braddock), July 9, 1755
Orme, wounded four times, recorded events in Braddock's official journal (part of the campaign letter book). This is one of the most detailed British perspectives. "About 12:30, the advanced party... discovered the Enemy... [They] rushed with great violence... upon our advanced party... The General immediately ordered the 44th Regiment to the right about and to advance briskly... The action was extremely warm... The Indians... kept up a close fire from all points... The General was wounded... and the Troops fell into confusion."
Source: Washington's Letter Book for the Braddock Campaign (Library of Congress manuscript). Excerpted in Founders Online: View context.
Significance: Highlights the surprise element and how the ambush exploited the column's linear formation.
Harry Gordon (Engineer), Account in Letter to Unknown Recipient (c. July 1755)
Gordon, a British engineer, described the river crossing and initial panic. "We forded the Monongahela... beating the Grenadiers' March... in high spirits. Scarce had we passed the ford when the attack began... The woods on both sides poured in a most tremendous fire... Men fell like leaves... I was shot through the shoulder but escaped across the river."
Source: Excerpted in Braddock's Defeat by David Preston (Oxford University Press, 2015), from original in Maryland Historical Society. Related search: Warfare History Network.
Significance: Captures the overconfidence before the ambush and the rout at the river.
Adam Stephen (Virginia Officer), Report to Dinwiddie (July 1755)
Stephen, a colonial commander wounded in the action, emphasized Indian tactics. "The Enemy... lay concealed in the woods... and fired with good aim from trees... Our men, unused to such fighting, broke and ran... I was shot through the body but rallied some Virginians to cover the retreat."
Source: In Braddock at the Monongahela by Paul E. Kopperman (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1992), from colonial dispatches.
Significance: Contrasts European vs. "skirmish" (Indian-style) warfare, a lesson for future campaigns.
French Account by Jean-Daniel Dumas (Commander after Beaujeu's Death), Journal Entry (July 1755)
Dumas's report to French superiors details the ambush from the victors' side. "We surprised the English column near the Monongahela... Our Indians and Canadians fired from cover, killing their general and many officers... They fled in disorder, leaving artillery and supplies. We took 500 prisoners and scalps."
Source: Archived in Normandy (France); excerpted in Preston's Braddock's Defeat (2015). (interview context). Full translation in Military Affairs in North America by Stanley Pargellis.
Significance: Provides the Franco-Indian perspective, noting low casualties due to superior terrain use.

For more information, Braddock's Defeat: The Battle of the Monongahela and the Road to Revolution by David L. Preston (2015) compiles over 20 eyewitness accounts, including Native American testimonies.

Additional resources for you history nerds:
Battle of the Monongahela
Braddock's Defeat: An Interview with David Preston