Fort Duquesne

Fort Duquesne was a fortified forest region located in the American frontier, at the junction of the and  rivers in Pennsylvania. Originally, it was known as Fort Du Quesne, and later Fort Pitt following its reconstruction in 1758. Eventually, the site became the early stage for the city of Pittsburgh.

In 1755, the Templar Grand Master Haytham Kenway helped prevent a large scale attack on the fort, known as the Braddock Expedition, during an assassination of the attack's leader, General Edward Braddock. Later, the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton infiltrated and liberated the fort for the Continental Army.

History
The fork of the two rivers meeting at the was seen by multiple parties as a strategic point for both settlement and trade, due to the water source and surrounding forest in addition to multiple nearby Native American camps. As a result, both the British and French empires had interest in the region.

Since the region was within a drainage basin of the, the French claimed the area, and proceeded a campaign to fortify the whole river, building several sites. This movement started a territory dispute with the colonies.

Virginians, feeling threatened, attempted to build their own location on orders of George Washington on February 17, 1754, only to have it captured after an attack by French Canadians on April 18 that year. The newly obtained site was renamed after the governor of, , and built up further by the French Army to follow the model of another of their forts, in. However, the original reasoning for the location of the fort led to complications, as the region was low and swampy, surrounded by various highlands, which led to several disadvantages in a battle.

The first attempt to reclaim the region was a planned expedition by Washington at the start of the French and Indian War, which began with the building of. However, an attack by the French had that point captured as well, foiling the expedition. Later, General Edward Braddock planned another attack to claim the area, later to be known as the Braddock Expedition, despite warnings by Washington. Braddock's soldiers gathered at Fort St-Mathieu, and began a march toward the fort.

Midway, the lines were broken due to the assassination plot by Haytham Kenway, resulting in Braddock's death and a surrender by the troops to French ambushers. Several years later, in 1758, a small attack on the fort by resulted in heavy losses. A few months later, the led to the abandonment by French soldiers and the burning of the site.

With the war ended, the fort was rebuilt under a similar model and renamed Fort Pitt, which was occupied by British soldiers well into the American Revolutionary War. However, it was eventually infiltrated by Ratonhnhaké:ton, and given to the Continental Army at an unknown time. When the revolution ended, the area expanded to become the city of Pittsburgh, with a monument of the fort built into the ground of the downtown region where it once stood.

Layout and armaments
Built on the marshlands of the three rivers, the fort varies in elevation, and is bordered by large hills and rock formations, in addition to massive trees and streams. There are two entrances, it's main gate to the eastern road and the secondary gate to the north, meant for supply trains and soldier patrols respectively. However, the abundance of trees meant several additional entrances from above. To watch for such attempts to force entry were 7 watchtowers: three connected above the main gate, two guarding the secondary entrance, and two more watching the southern side of the fortress. Facing the main road were also three cannons and several soldiers.

Built exclusively from wood, the walls vary carefully in location, built to fit on the different surfaces and elevations, it gives a specifically geometric border to the site. There are also several additional wall formations scattered inside against hills to allow for better inner fortification and defense. Also scattered inside the main walls were three wooden lodges, as well as one large stone headquarters at the summit of the hill. A gunpowder reserve, small farm, and livestock area are all featured as well.

Trivia

 * The fort is always referred to as Fort Duquesne, even after it has been changed to Fort Pitt.
 * In addition, the layout remains the same as it was during the French and Indian War.
 * The only French soldiers in the game are featured at this location if visited by Haytham.
 * They feature a specifically made French accent.
 * The layout of the in-game fort bares no resemblance to that of the original.