The French and Indian War took place between 1754 and 1763. Throughout this period of time the American colonists, baptized by fire, emerged with increased confidence in their military strength. They had held their own against the French forces, they had fought bravely beside British regulars, and they had gained priceless military experience, both officers and common folk alike. At the conclusion of the war the colonies had nearly twenty thousand men that had been taught the ways of war.
The events that took place during the opening clashes of the French and Indian war were very influential towards the colonists, and laid the foundation for their later rebellion. General Braddock, a sixty year old officer experienced in European warfare, was sent to Virginia with a strong detachment of British regulars. After amassing supplies he set out in 1755 with some two thousand men to capture Fort Duquesne. A considerable portion of his force consisted of ill-disciplined colonial militiamen called buckskins. Braddock's expedition went forth extremely slow due to the heavy artillery that was brought alone and the time needed to clear a path for them to travel on. Several miles from Fort Duquesne Braddock came across a much smaller French and Indian army. At first the army was repelled, but soon after it dispersed, dealing heavy damage to Braddock's ranks as well as himself. This defeat and several others shattered the myth of British invincibility, and furthered the ever growing self-esteem of the colonists.
The colonists now native to the Americas had grown accustomed to the colonial way of life and the principles that came with it. During the French and Indian War friction had developed between the old world British regulars, and the more modernized American colonists. Proclaiming their dislike for the colonists, thought to be amateur and unable fighters, the British laid restrictions upon colonial soldiers not allowing them to sustain any ranks above that of captain.
