The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-09
FRENCH-TNDIAN BATTLE
GROUND TO BE MADE PARK
Fort Necessity Park Bill Signed
By Governor PinchOt of Penn
syIvania on June 25th.
AT MILES FROM OAKLAND

George Washington's first battle,
the encounter with the French and
Indians at Fort Necessity on July 8,
1854, is to be commemorated through
action by the Federal Government,
the State of Pennsylvania and private
subscription.
Governor Pinchot, of Pennsylvania,
signad bill Thursday, June 25, ap-
propriating $4,000 for the purchase
of the site of Fort Necessity and the
establishment there of State park.
The site includes 234 acres in Fayette
county, Pa, between the Maryland
Pennsylvania line and Uniontown, Pa.
The location is At miles from Oakland
over Routes 81 and 40. The U. S.
Congress has appropriated $4,000 to
erect a suitable monument, and cam
paign for $15O,O00 in private subscrip-
tions is being conducted by Rev. DR..
William Blake Hindman, pastor Of
the First Presbyterian Church, Union
town, Pa.
Headquarters in Cumberland
1t was from Fort Cumberland in
Cumberland, that Washington started
his march westward resulting il: the
battle at Fort Necessity, and it was
to Cumberland that the future COM
mander-in-chief Of the Continental
Army retreated when the fortunes of
war went against him in his first bat
tie.
In 1853 force of 5000 French reg
ulars had been sent to this country to
garrison the chain of forts built and
being built to connect the French pos
sessions in Louisiana with those in
Canada. One chain of these forts ex-
tended along the Allegheny River
northward.
Washington was sent by Governor
Dinwiddie of Virginia on mission to
the French commander at Fort Le-
Boeuf to ascertain the intention of the
French with respect to encroaching
upon territory claimed by the British.
Following his return from this mis-
sion, which carried him past the flu
ture site of Fort Necessity and across
the Youghiogheny River at Connells-
vile, Captain William Trent was dis
patched with force to seize and for
tify the forks of the Ohio River at
Pittsburgh. Taking part Of his men
he went on a search of the country
round about and left Ensign Ward to
build the fort. On the day he began
operations the French appeared in
force and Ward was obliged to retire
in the direction whence he came, up
the Monongahela to the mouth of
| Redstone creek, thence by Gist's plan
tation and over the mountains, follow
ing the Nemacolin trail.
Replaced Colonel Fry
At Willis Greek, now Cumberland,
he was met by Colonel Fry's troops
which had been sent to drive the
French out of the disputed territory.
Colonel Fry being injured by a fall
from a horse the command devolved
upon Major Washington, then but %
years of age. He marched through
the forests west from Cumberland,
widening the trail into a road to per-
nit, passage of cannon and supply
wagons. At the Great Meadows he
was met by Half King, the friendly
Indian chief who warned him of the
presence of French in the near vi
entity
Taking a small force of Indians and
Virginia militia Washington, in per-
sonal command, made night march
in the direction indicated by the In
dian guides. At the break of day they
encountered the French who fired on
the approaching force. A skirmish
ensued during which several of the
French were killed, among them their
commander, Jumonville, who received
deathblow from Half Kings toma-
hawk. The remainder of the French,
81 in number, surrendered, and were
conducted back to Cumberland by a
detail from Washington's force.
Several days elapsed when it was
suggested by Christopher Gist that a
better defense against the French
could be provided on his plantation.
Washington accordingly moved his
force forward, spent some time in the
construction of defense at Gist's and
penetrated some distance toward the
mouth of Redstone creek, by which
the French were presumed to be ap-
preaching.
Battle On July Third