July 03, 2006
Gratuitous Pre-Revolutionary Blogging
On July 3, 1754, a small British colonial expeditionary party, trapped and surrounded by a much greater force of French troops and their Indian allies, was forced to surrender the little round wooden stockade called by them Fort Necessity in southwestern Pennsylvania. The surrender marked the end of the first battle of what was to become the French and Indian War (known as the Seven Years War across the pond), during which the British would ultimately throw the French out of Canada, but would also set the stage for the eventual American revolt.
Oh, and the commander of the surrendering British force? A young Virginia colonel by the name of George Washington.
Posted by Robert at July 3, 2006 12:45 PM | TrackBackAs I recall this even was the source of constant embarassment by Washington. If I recall my reading correctly, Washington (who did not read or speak French) agreed to sign a surrender document that also ascribed to the British responsibility for the war. Washington claimed he was given bad information by poorly skilled Francophone allies/subordinates. But he was also said to be embarrassed because he couldn't read the documents himself - and a better educated man would have.
Lucky for us he didn't let this setback end his military career.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at July 3, 2006 01:24 PMI have always found that little historical detail to be very interesting. Had his ambition & disappointment w/the British not been so intense as to cause him to change sides we might be bowing to the Queen tomorrow instead of celebrating July 4th
Posted by: michele at July 3, 2006 08:04 PMWashing-ton, Wash-ing-ton. Six foot twenty killin' just for fun . . . .
Opponents, beware, opponents beware . . .
He's coming.
He's coming.
He's coming.
He'll kick you apart.
He'll kick you apart!
I grew up about 90min. north of there. Did you get a chance to see Jumonville, PA?? There is a huge Cross up on a high point that overlooks Uniontown. Its right up the road from Ft. Necessity. So is a memorial for Gen. Braddock. That stretch of RT 40 has all kinds of history. Very scenic too.
Posted by: Stillers at July 5, 2006 06:44 PM
Image courtesy of the lovely and talented 