Re-enactors stage an attack during the French and Indian War encampment at the Portersville Steam Show grounds in July 2014. A second re-enactment is planned for July 17 to 19.

PORTERSVILLE — The British won the French and Indian War, but the empire suffered one of its worst setbacks in Western Pennsylvania.

Gen. Edward Braddock led a British army in a campaign against the French's Fort Duquesne in the summer of 1755. The campaign ended badly for the British and is often called Braddock's Defeat.

Shortly after the 260th anniversary of Braddock's Defeat, historical re-enactors from around the country will re-create that event July 17-19 at the Portersville Steam Show grounds.

This is the second year Wiley House Shoppe, a business in New Castle that specializes in making 18th century clothing, furniture and other items, has planned the event there.

There are expected to be more than 800 re-enactors and 25 craftspeople specializing in making items from the French and Indian War era, said Mark Wiley, owner of the business.

Spectators are welcome to interact with the historical re-enactors at their encampments and observe the battle.

The public hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19. The battles will begin at 1 p.m. July 18 and 19.

There will be re-enactors portraying British and French troops and American Indians. Participants are expected to have period-accurate clothing and weapons, Wiley said.

The American Indian portrayals make this re-enactment unique among many other war re-enactments, he said.

The French and Indian War, the North American portion of the Seven Years' War, pitted the British against the French and their allies from 1754 to 1763.

Braddock's Defeat was a campaign from Virginia to Pennsylvania that culminated in the Battle of Monongahela July 9, 1755.

Both Braddock and the French commander Daniel Liénard de Beaujeu were killed in the battle.Despite having his horse shot out from under him several times, George Washington made it through the battle and took over command of the British after Braddock died, Wiley said.Last year in July, Wiley House Shoppe organized a re-enactment of the Battle of Great Meadows in 1754, which took place at Fort Necessity in what is now Fayette County.Though fighting didn't take place in Portersville, the borough is connected to the French Indian War.In 1753 George Washington led by wilderness guide Christopher Gist traveled through the area on a diplomatic mission from Virginia to Fort LeBoeuf in modern-day Erie County. He delivered a message to the French to vacate the area, which was claimed by both the French and British.The French declined, and the war followed.Washington's route is commemorated today by Washington's Trail 1753 a driving tour that follows Route 19 through the borough.