Old Bedford Village: The Conclusion

With fixed bayonets the British troops swept the opposing forces from the field

A casualty lies upon the field of battle

Of course this series was that of a reenactment conducted at Old Bedford Village. The action appears much better in photographs than it did while watching it unfold for the re-enactors exercised the utmost care to prevent “real” causalities.

Reoccurring among the various comments on this series is mention of the bright uniforms and the massed formations used in the fighting of that day. One must remember that with the uses of these tactics the Great British Empire ruled much of the world. With the inaccurate and slow rate of fire of the arms of that day, the massing of men and firepower was of much more consequence than stealth. The bright uniforms and large hats made the forces appear larger than life, scaring the opposition more than if they had been concealed.

Changes in weaponry relegated these tactics to antiquity; what a shame that the same cannot be said about all war!

Old Bedford Village: The Battle

With the French troops arriving upon the field, the battle began in earnest.




With a crashing volley of small arms fire accompanied by the roar canons, the British troops returned a withering fire from the shelter of the redoubt.

Colonials assisting the British troops can be seen here manning the canon.

Seeking Shelter

As word spread that French forces were on the way, Redcoats as well as villagers sought shelter in a redoubt near the village of Raystown, later to be named Bedford.

The setting of this conflict is 1758. General Braddock’s expedition against Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburg) failed two years earlier when he and his troops were destroyed in a surprise attack. General Forbes decided to engage the French from a different direction. His troop movement across the Allegheny Mountains required the building of a new road, now known as the Forbes Road. Forbes’ plan called for a slow march with secure lines of supply protected by a string of forts along the way. Fort Bedford was one post in this string of forts.

Lt. Colonel George Washington, later President Washington, served with both Braddock and Forbes commanding a Virginia provincial regiment.

Today the Lincoln Highway (US Route 30) follows much of the path of the original Forbes Road.

We will break from the ensuing battle for Camera Critters and resume with the following post.

SkyWatch, Fluffy Clouds

Fluffy white clouds on a background of blue sky crown the colonial village. A tranquil scene, but we know with Redcoats camped behind the village and Indians slinking through town that trouble is near at hand.

More to come………..

My Wife Gasped...

as we were strolling through town. When I turned to look in the direction she was staring, this scene met my gaze!!

More to come…….

The British are Coming!!!!!

And they don’t look friendly like our good blogger buds Wom Tigly and Imac

His Majesty’s soldiers march to their destiny along a rural path in colonial New France.

More to come………………