THE RELIEF OF FORT PITT On the tongue of land at the confluence of the Monongahela and Aheghany rivers stood Fort Pitt, on the site of the old French fort Duquesne.

It was remote from any centre of population, but was favourably situated for defence, and so strongly garrisoned that those in charge of it had little to fear from any attempts of the Indians to capture it.

Floods had recently destroyed part of the ramparts, but these had been repaired and a parapet of logs raised above them.
Captain Simeon Ecuyer, a Swiss soldier in the service of Great Britain and an officer of keen intelligence and tried courage, was in charge of Fort Pitt.

He knew the Indians.

He had quickly realized that danger threatened his wilderness post, and had left nothing undone to make it secure.