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COLONIAL TIMES

The French & Indian War

255Years Ago Today

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Fitzhugh Williams	Posted - May 28 2009 : 12:37:14 AM 255 years ago today, 28 May 1754, a date which will live in infamy, forces from the colony of Virgina, under the Command of Lt. Colonel George Washington, invaded lands belonging to His Christian Majesty, Louis XV, and did suddenly and without warning attack a diplomatic mission from Governor Pierre Franois de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, and assassinate Ensigne Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Joumonville, along with 9 of his men. This action set in motion events which would lead to what is known as the French and Indian War in America and as the Seven Years War in Europe and the rest of the world.
9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Fitzhugh Williams	Posted - June 07 2009 : 12:01:56 PM Ah! Just 26 more days. I have some pics of that one, too. I would love to know the troop dispositions relative to the terrain. See the large flat rock in the third pic? It's hard to see from that angle, but the far side of the rock makes a natural seat. Joumonville was wounded. He was attempting to read his official notice to Washington, so he was probably sitting somewhere. That would have been the logical place for him to be, when Tanaghrisson split his skull with a tomahawk and washed his hands in his brains. One can get some unusual feelings there, especially when standing on that rock.
richfed	Posted - June 07 2009 : 09:12:52 AM Great photos, Fitz ... I have been there ... your photos do the place justice. Now, for the story of Fort Necessity.
SgtMunro	Posted - May 28 2009 : 3:10:30 PM quote: Monadnock Guide noted: - but history is history. And history is almost always written by the victorious... *YMH&OS,* The Sarge
Monadnock Guide	Posted - May 28 2009 : 1:32:29 PM Ah yes, - actually the land didn't REALLY belong to either side, - but history is history.
Seamus	Posted - May 28 2009 : 1:30:24 PM Good Post, MC. Your images are terrific, Fitz! One must visit the glen to appreciate the beauty of the place, and its deadly past..... Brother Washington did not 'assassinate' Ensigne Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Joumonville. Here is an interesting excerpt...documented: In 1754 George Washington, as second in command of a Virginia military force, was ordered by Lt. Governor Dinwiddie to reinforce William Trent at the Forks of the Ohio. Upon learning that the French had occupied the Forks, Washington moved to drive the French out. On May 28, 1754, an incident took place that would move Britain and France closer to war. Below are comments from British soldier Adam Stephens regarding the incident. An excerpt from John Shaws sworn deposition of de Jumonville's death, based on reports he heard from fellow soldiers who had witnessed the death. ... Col. Washington with his Men and the Indians first came up with them (French) and found them encamped between two Hills. It being early in the morning some of them were asleep and some eating, but haveing heard a Noise they were immediately in great Confusion and betook themselves to their Arms and as this Deponent has heard, one of [the French] fired a Gun upon which Col. Washington gave the Word for all his Men to fire. Several of them being killed, the Rest betook themselves to flight, but our Indians haveing gone round the French when they saw them immediately fled back to the English and delivered up their Arms .... Some Time after the Indians came up the Half King took his Tomahawk and split the Head of the French Captain [de Jumonville] haveing first asked if he was an Englishman and haveing been told he was a French Man. He then took out his Brains and washed his Hands with them and then scalped him. All this he [Shaw] has heard and never heard itcontradicted .... _______________________ Source: Pennsylvania Gazette. Philadelphia: 19 Sept. 1754
blackfootblood	Posted - May 28 2009 : 12:26:55 PM quote: Originally posted by Kay It seems to have been overlooked and dismissed in the history classroom and most don't even think of it when they reflect on America's wars. Kay You absolutely right, Kay. That was something that was never taught to us in History class. I remember in my 8th grade year, I had a semester of PA history and that important event wasn't even in the text book. I didn't even know about this place until I joined the board and Fitz informed me of it. Good post, Fitz, nice pictures!
MoneminsCastle	Posted - May 28 2009 : 11:24:14 AM Excerpt from "History of PIttsburgh and Environs", page 273-274 Dr. Toner, editor of Washington's Journals, says: Ensign M. de Jumonville was a half-brother of M. Coulon de Villiers. He was in the French military service at Fort Duquesne in 1754 under Captain Commander-in- chief of Marines M. de Contrecoeur of His Majesty's troops on the Ohio. Under instructions at Fort Duquesne, May 23, 1754, he was sent with a small force (according to French accounts) of one officer, three cadets, one volunteer (M. La Force) one English interpreter and twenty-eight men to scout the country along the headwaters of the Monongahela, the crest of the Allegheny Mountains and to deliver summons to any English he might meet to depart from French territory. At the same time, he had instructions to observe and report everything to Messrs. de Contrecoeur before the summons was served on the English. Washington knew nothing of the summons, but by his vigilance and enterprise with scouts had discovered Jumonville's camp and surprised him and his forces. In the skirmish which ensued May 28, De Jumonville and ten of his men were killed and twenty-one taken prisoners, among whom was Messrs. La Force. The prisoners were all sent under a guard, to the Governor of Virginia. They set up the claim to the Governor as they had done to Washington that they were on a mission of peace, but this was not evidenced by their behavior, nor by the orders to Jumonville accompanying the summons, both of which documents were found upon this officer's person. ... To his brother, John A. Washington, Colonel Washington wrote: Camp at Great Meadow, 31 May, 1754. Since my last we arrived at this place, where three days ago we had an engagement with the French; that is, a party of our men with one of theirs. Most of our men were out upon other detachments, so that I had scarcely 40 men remaining under my command, and about 10 or 12 Indians; nevertheless we obtained a most signal victory. The battle lasted about 10 or 13 minutes, with sharp firing on both sides, till the French gave ground and ran, but to no great purpose. There were 12 French killed, among whom was Mons. de Jumonville, their commander, and 21 taken prisoners, among whom were Messrs. La Force and Drouillon, together with two cadets. I have sent them to His Honor the Governor, at Winchester, under guard of twenty men, conducted by Lieutenant West. We had but one man killed and two or three wounded. Among the wounded on our side is Lieut. Waggoner, but no danger, it is hoped will ensue. We expect every hour to be attacked by a superior force, but, if they forbear for one day longer, we shall be prepared for them. We have already got entrenchments, and are about a pallisade, which I hope will be finished today. The Mingoes have struck the French and I will give a good blow before they have done. I expect 40 odd of them here tonight, which, with our fort and some reinforcements from Col. Fry, will enable us to exert our noble courage with spirit. P. S. I fortunately escaped without any wound, for the right wing, where I stood, was exposed to and received all the enemy's fire, and it was the part where the man was killed, and the rest wounded. I heard the bullets whistle, and believe me, there is something charming in the sound.
Seamus	Posted - May 28 2009 : 10:02:02 AM You have heard only one side of the story, Kay.........and from the Trespassers' side.
Kay	Posted - May 28 2009 : 09:54:37 AM That George Washington! What an instigator! What an important war that shaped North America and all it's inhabitants then and now. It seems to have been overlooked and dismissed in the history classroom and most don't even think of it when they reflect on America's wars. I only hope one day Americans will realize it's impact on how we live today and remember those involved. MMM... these pictures remind me of Bushy Run. If only I was back home at Grandma's...... Kay

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