The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-08-12
The r econstructed Fort Necessity
Ruins Of Fort Frederick

lated to Washington by Captain Van BRAIN,
Dutchman who seems to have had only sketchy
knowledge of the French language He trans
lated that passage as "the killing" or death"
of Jumonville, whereas the French interpreta-
ton of it was ASSASSINATION" Immediately the
French raised the cry of treachery on the part
of the young Virginian, asserting that Jumon-
vile had been an ambassador bearing peace
full message to the English in regard to the
dispute over the western country, just Wash
ington had been q a., similar ambassador to the
French posts in 1853, and that by Washington's
own admission in the articles of capituation
he had "assassinated" this peaceful messenger
AS for Washington he was most decidedly
."in bad" both at home and in England because
his unfortunate expedition had apparently put
the English in a very bad light The result of
\ this fiasco and other indgnities which he suf-
fered led him finally to resign his commission
and it seemed that the military career of this
future great leader was ended almost at its
beginning
However, his defeat did result in the resolu-
ton of the British ministry to force matters to
a crisis, so there came about the arrival of Gen.
Edward Braddock in America to command the
combined British and Colonial forces which were
to eject the French from the Ohio valley. The
result of that expedtion-"the bloody business
of Braddock' 1t has been APPLY called-is too
well known to be dwelt upon extensively. Even
though it did result in disaster on the banks
of the Monongahela that July day year later,
it was Braddock who made Washington an aide
de-camp on his staff and who gave him his
chance to win enduring fame while Braddock
was winning only defeat and DEATH Not far
from the reconstructed Fort Necessity is the
place where Braddock was buried and part
of the dedication ceremonies held at Wash
ington's little fort last month was the visit
Ill.
in the National Capital to Braddock's grave,
there to lay wreath in honor of the general
with whom history has dealt so harshly.
But the reconstructed Fort Necessity is not
the only post connected with the stirring events
in those far-off times which the American of
today can visit. Near Hagerstown, Nd, is Fort
Frederick which is also in process Of recon-
struction through the efforts of the Hagerstown
Chamber Of Commerce, and associated with it
are the names of both Braddock and Washing
ton It was In Frederick Town, Nd that Wash
ington first met Braddock on May 2 1855, and
two days later arrived with him. at Winchester,
Va, whence they set out for Fort Cumber-
land wills Creek), Nd, on the beginning of his
disastrous expedition.
After the defeat of Braddock the Indian raids
along the frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland
and Virginia became so alarming that Gov. Hor-
alto Sharpe of Maryland asked the colonial
legislature for an Appropriation Tor Strong
fort to be erected in the western part of Fred
erick county, which was eventually granted.
Upon receiving the grant, according to the cor
respondence Of Governor Sharpe II am prepar-
ing to set off for the frontier. to put this
province in the best provision of defense and
that the bill will permit me and construct
strong fort and block houses for the protection
of the North mountain. While / was at Fort
Frederick Colonel Washington paid visit
and informed me that he was also raising
strong fort at Winchester We already have
200 men near and about Fort Frederick under
Colonel John Dagworthy We face the bastions
and curtains with stone and shall mount on each
bastion six FOUNDER. :"
During the next two years, until the final
capture of Fort Duquesne, Fort Frederick was
a base for military supplies and a refuge for
the inhabitants of that region when the red
terror swept down upon them during the French
and Indian war and again in 1763 when the
conspiracy of Pontiac threatened to drive the
hated English into the sea. The fort also
played a part in the Revolution and the Civil
war and now the people Of Maryland hope to
restore 1t and preserve 1t as a state shrine.
90 by westssp Newspaper Union,