The French had beaten off the initial British attack, but Lignery understands that his force of about six hundred cannot hold Fort Duquesne against the main British force of more than ten times that number.

The French had continued to occupy Fort Duquesne until November 26, when the garrison set fire to the fort and left under the cover of darkness.

As the British march up to the smoldering remains, they are confronted with an appalling sight.

The natives had decapitated many of the dead Highlanders and impaled their heads on the sharp stakes on top of the fort walls, with their kilts displayed below.

The British and Americans will rebuild Fort Duquesne, naming it Fort Pitt after the British prime minister William Pitt, who had ordered the capture of this strategic location.