One of the forts was named for the commander-in-chief of the British Army, Field Marshal Lord John Ligonier.
They began firing at 11:00 am and the battle lasted until 3:00 pm After a spirited encounter, the French and Indians were beaten off with a heavy loss and they fled back to Duquesne.
The British troops, under Gen. Forbes and Col. Washington, pressed on after the Ligonier victory; when they arrived at Duquesne, they found the fort afire.
They established their own fort, named it for Prime Minister William Pitt, thus giving birth to the city of Pittsburgh.
Arrangements were made with Gen. Arthur St. Clair of the British Army, to serve as caretaker of the facility since he lived only a short distance away.