Today in Wheeling History: March 5--General Daniel Brodhead appointed Commander of the Western Department by General George Washington, which included Fort Henry in Wheeling (1779).
General Daniel Brodhead (1736-1809) was a distinguished military officer who played a crucial role in defending the western frontier during the American Revolution. Born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, on October 17, 1736, Brodhead began his military career as a lieutenant colonel in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. His bravery at the Battle of Long Island earned recognition from George Washington, leading to his promotion to colonel. On March 5, 1779, Washington appointed him commander of the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). His command included several frontier outposts, including Fort Henry in present-day Wheeling, West Virginia. Brodhead conducted numerous successful campaigns against hostile Native American tribes, including the famous Brodhead Expedition against the Seneca (August-September 1779) and the Coshocton Expedition against the Delaware (April 1781). Though briefly removed from command over supply management allegations, he was later acquitted and promoted to brigadier general by Washington. After the war, Brodhead served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and as Surveyor General of Pennsylvania for eleven years. He was also a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Brodhead died on November 15, 1809, in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he was buried in the Milford Cemetery.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/Hll52) (https://shorturl.at/XUusR), PA Roots (https://shorturl.at/txHmS), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/SaxtY)
Photo credits: New York Public Library, Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave
General Daniel Brodhead (1736-1809) was a distinguished military officer who played a crucial role in defending the western frontier during the American Revolution. Born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, on October 17, 1736, Brodhead began his military career as a lieutenant colonel in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. His bravery at the Battle of Long Island earned recognition from George Washington, leading to his promotion to colonel. On March 5, 1779, Washington appointed him commander of the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). His command included several frontier outposts, including Fort Henry in present-day Wheeling, West Virginia. Brodhead conducted numerous successful campaigns against hostile Native American tribes, including the famous Brodhead Expedition against the Seneca (August-September 1779) and the Coshocton Expedition against the Delaware (April 1781). Though briefly removed from command over supply management allegations, he was later acquitted and promoted to brigadier general by Washington. After the war, Brodhead served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and as Surveyor General of Pennsylvania for eleven years. He was also a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Brodhead died on November 15, 1809, in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he was buried in the Milford Cemetery.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/Hll52) (https://shorturl.at/XUusR), PA Roots (https://shorturl.at/txHmS), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/SaxtY)
Photo credits: New York Public Library, Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave
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