Bullet's Defeat

Captain Thomas Bullet (Bullit or Bullitt according to some sources) was part of the company with George Washington's expedition in 1754, which ended with the battle at Fort Necessity, known as the Battle of the Great Meadows. He was also part of the Braddock Expedition defeat on July 9, 1755, and Grant's failed expedition that ended with his capture on Grant's Hill in 1758.

Bullet, however, escaped his attackers and retreated to the woods. He rallied the militia and counterattacked the French and Indians. These actions led the French to abandon Fort Duquesne by November of the same year.

Despite his crafty victory, Bullet met his own defeat on May 22, 1759. He and his troops were taking supplies from Fort Bedford to Fort Ligonier when they were attacked by French and Indian troops. Out of the 100 Virginians under Bullet's command, 40 died, and most of the supplies were lost as well.

The Bullet's Defeat marker was dedicated on Tuesday, June 10, 2003. It reads: "French and Indian troops defeated a party of 100 Virginians under the command of Captain Thomas Bullet near here on May 22, 1759. Bullet and his troops were taking provisions from Bedford to Fort Ligonier when they were attacked. They suffered over 40 casualties and lost many of their supplies."