Fort Edwards in West Virginia

We visited the site of Fort Edwards in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. It was one of the frontier forts under command of George Washington during the French and Indian War. There is a visitors' center, a series of interpretive signs, and a reconstructed section of palisade wall.

The visitor center is open on weekends during the warmer months. The Fort Edwards website tells the history of the fort and reports on an archaeological investigation of the site.

"The fort at Joseph Edwards's home on the Cacapon River was one of these western forts guarding the road from Ft. Loudoun to the forts of the South Branch River valley." And in April 1756 at th Battle of Great Cacapon River, "Capt. John Fenton Mercer, Lt. Thomas Carter and 15 soldiers killed not far from Ft. Edwards. This is the largest encounter between French and Indian forces and Virginia soldiers of the War."

Capon Bridge is between Winchester and Romney. Of course, until the Civil War the area (like all of West Virginia) was part of Virginia.

SOLDIERS AND SETTLERS

In Memory of

the soldiers and settlers

who lost their lives

in Hampshire County

during the

French and Indian War

Dedicated by

the Fort Edwards Foundation

June 26, 2004 as part of our

commemoration of the

250th anniversary of the

founding of Hampshire County

and the 250th anniversary of

the French and Indian War

See my other posts related to the French and Indian War:

• Germany Valley Overlook (Hinkle's Fort)
• Marker for Last Indian-Settler Conflict, Shenandoah Valley
• Romney Historic Sites, Fort Pearsall
• Stone House on Senedo Road
• Madison Hall