Posted by Rich on May 29, 2001 at 09:51:09:
In Reply to: Re: This Day In History ... The French & Indian War Begins! posted by S. Melcher on May 28, 2001 at 19:29:52:
Not the best shot in the world, but here's a picture of the Glen from Jumonville's French camp looking up at an area that saw Washington's party back in 1754. This was the spark that set off the War on this Continent.
Like Sarah says, considering Washington's future-to-be, it's really quite ironic, or something, that it was he who started the ball rolling, so to speak. As a member of Braddock's debacle the next year, we are really all quite lucky that he was not among the dead!
What might have history been like then?
: Hi Rich,
: Last year, at the first Jumonville Tactical, I had the pleasure of walking those same grounds where it all began. We didn't hold our tacticals at the site of Washington's little skirmish, but we went there to see it, and we stood on the rocks overlooking the hollow where the French were camping. It was quite an amazing place (wish I had a digital of the photo!!). In fact, knowing what I now know about Washington's role in US history, this single place -- this rocky overhang -- is probably one of the most profound in America at least from my perspective, for it's role in starting the F&I which led to the Rev War, etc etc etc. My hair stood on end when I sat on those rocks. It's an amazingly secluded, unremarked site considering it's significance.
: Interesting that today is Memorial Day....
: All the best,
: Sarah M.
: : Ah HA! A related "This Day in History" has appeared in the History Channel's applet!
: : Very appropriate, as the event covered is the prelude, really, to Braddock's Defeat the following year ...
: : Jumonville Glen ... the Lexington of the French & Indian War ... [above] Fort Necessity, built by George Washington & his men after that event. It soon fell to the French who had taken over control of the region by driving off the British at the forks, now Pittsburgh, and building Fort Duquesne ... which leads us to Braddock's Defeat!
: : You can read about that on the History Channel's Page (click on the applet on the Board's index) and here on the Web Site, at: