Fort Cumberland, Global War in the Appalachians

In 1755, Fort Cumberland was at the cusp of three empires: the British, the French, and the Iroquois. It was the westernmost outpost of the British Empire in North America. Built at the confluence of Will's Creek and the Potomac by Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland Militia, the fort became untenable after the Braddock defeat, and the western boundary of Empire was pulled back to the safety of Fort Frederick. West of the fort was disputed territory, leading into New France. The Native American peoples wanted both the French and the British to go home. They began to organize into large federations of tribes to better deal with the invaders from across the seas. Fort Cumberland was attached by Indian forces, but relieved. It saw no action in the Revolutionary War, but served as the staging area for troops deployed under Washington in the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania. This book has an extensive set of references to material relevant to the history, construction, and use of Fort Cumberland. It outlines the historical context of the Fort.