<P> The attack on Fort Duquesne was part of a large - scale British expedition with 6,000 troops led by General John Forbes to drive the French out of the contested Ohio Country ( the upper Ohio River Valley ) and clear the way for an invasion of Canada . Forbes ordered Major James Grant of the 1st Highland Regiment to reconnoiter the area with 850 men . When Grant proceeded to attack the French position , his force was out maneuvered , surrounded , and largely destroyed by the French and their native allies led by François - Marie Le Marchand de Lignery . Major Grant was taken prisoner and the British survivors retreated fitfully to Fort Ligonier . </P>
<P> The attack on Fort Duquesne was part of a large - scale British expedition with 6,000 troops led by General John Forbes to drive the French out of the contested Ohio Country ( the upper Ohio River Valley ) and clear the way for an invasion of Canada . Forbes ordered Major James Grant of the 1st Highland Regiment to reconnoiter the area with 850 men . When Grant proceeded to attack the French position , his force was out maneuvered , surrounded , and largely destroyed by the French and their native allies led by François - Marie Le Marchand de Lignery . Major Grant was taken prisoner and the British survivors retreated fitfully to Fort Ligonier . </P>
who led troops to remove the french from ft. duquesne
who led troops to remove the french from ft. duquesne
General John Forbes
General John Forbes