**The above fort is an exact replica of what Fort Necessity looked like back in 1754**
At 11am on July 3, 1754, Louis Coulon de Villiers, the French commander, found Fort Necessity. As the Canadiens and Indians advanced down the plain in three columns, the British troops fell back to the fort to grab their muskets. Coulon did miscalculate the location of Fort Necessity, though, so he had to reassemble his troops, which allowed General Washington to prepare for an attack. Coulon decided to move his troops into the woods around Fort Necessity, but made sure they were in musket range. By this time, Washington had his troops lined all across the field.
Washington ordered his troops to fire as Coulon ordered his troops to run at Washington's line and attack. Mackay's men stayed with Washington and held the line while the Virginians fell back into the fort. Coulon's men spread out around the fort and attacked with heavy fire upon Washington's troops. Washington ordered to return fire, but his men were aiming too high as it was pouring down rain. Due to the rain, Washington had to surrender because his gunpowder got too wet to use.
Washington did not let anyone into the fort, but he sent two men out to negotiate. One of these men was his translator, Jacob Van Braam. Van Braam returned to Washington with a document written in French. Washington had Van Braam translate it, but he missed a crucial part of the document that confirmed that Jumonville was assassinated. Since Washington or Van Braam did not catch that part of the document, Washington and Mackay signed the document. Had they found that part, though, they most likely would not have signed the document.
At 11am on July 3, 1754, Louis Coulon de Villiers, the French commander, found Fort Necessity. As the Canadiens and Indians advanced down the plain in three columns, the British troops fell back to the fort to grab their muskets. Coulon did miscalculate the location of Fort Necessity, though, so he had to reassemble his troops, which allowed General Washington to prepare for an attack. Coulon decided to move his troops into the woods around Fort Necessity, but made sure they were in musket range. By this time, Washington had his troops lined all across the field.
Washington ordered his troops to fire as Coulon ordered his troops to run at Washington's line and attack. Mackay's men stayed with Washington and held the line while the Virginians fell back into the fort. Coulon's men spread out around the fort and attacked with heavy fire upon Washington's troops. Washington ordered to return fire, but his men were aiming too high as it was pouring down rain. Due to the rain, Washington had to surrender because his gunpowder got too wet to use.
Washington did not let anyone into the fort, but he sent two men out to negotiate. One of these men was his translator, Jacob Van Braam. Van Braam returned to Washington with a document written in French. Washington had Van Braam translate it, but he missed a crucial part of the document that confirmed that Jumonville was assassinated. Since Washington or Van Braam did not catch that part of the document, Washington and Mackay signed the document. Had they found that part, though, they most likely would not have signed the document.