French & Indian War: Washington Departs Fort Necessity!

July 4, 1754 - Lieutenant Colonel George Washington departs Fort Necessity (right) after surrendering to the French. Dispatched into the Ohio Country in 1754, by Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie, Lt. Col. Washington was tasked with aiding in the construction of a fort at the Forks of the Ohio (present-day Pittsburgh, MD). Before he could arrive, the construction party was driven off by the French. Reporting this, Washington received new orders to build a road from Wills Creek (present-day Cumberland, MD) north towards the forks. Camping in the Great Meadows, Washington was alerted to the presence of a French detachment on May 27. Ambushing the French, his men killed 10 and captured 21, including the French commander, Ensign Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville. After the battle, an allied chief named Half King killed Jumonville while the Frenchman was being interrogated by Washington. Retreating to Great Meadows, Washington ordered a small stockade be constructed along with some earthworks. Reinforced in June, Washington concentrated his force at the newly named Fort Necessity. On July 3, the fort was attacked by 600 French soldiers and 100 Indians led by Jumonville's brother Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers. Quickly finding that the fort was situated on poor ground, Washington's men suffered as the French fired on their position. That night, Washington entered into negotiations to surrender the post. Handing it over the next day, he and his men were allowed to retreat south into Maryland.

Photograph Courtesy of the National Park Service