Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, was born on September 18, 1718 in Vercheres, New France. He was an important French Canadien miltary officer at the very beginning of the French and Indian War. He began service of the French military in his fathers unit at the age of 15. He was stationed in the Great Lakes with his fathers and brothers until his father and one of his brothers were killed in a battle with the Fox Tribe in 1733. He was later promoted to Second Ensign, in which he was stationed at Acadia during King George's War.
In June of 1754, he was stationed at Fort Duquesne with his older half-brother, Louis Coulon de Villiers. The French were using Fort Duquesne to build their military strength in response to a wide increase of British American traders and settlers. On May 23, 1754, Jumonville took a command of 35 men to patrol south of Fort Duquesne and secure the area. On May 27, 1754, his tribe was discovered by the Half King, who then got Washington's approval to attack. The British and Jumonville's tribe then stormed the camp, and in a battle lasting only 15 minutes, dominating the French Canadiens. Jumonville was wounded and taken prisoner.
Washington, then, was trying to interrogate Jumonville, but it was difficult because he could not understand his language. In the middle of the interrogation, the Half King walked up to Jumonville and split his skull in half with his tomahawk, ending his life on May 28, 1754.
In June of 1754, he was stationed at Fort Duquesne with his older half-brother, Louis Coulon de Villiers. The French were using Fort Duquesne to build their military strength in response to a wide increase of British American traders and settlers. On May 23, 1754, Jumonville took a command of 35 men to patrol south of Fort Duquesne and secure the area. On May 27, 1754, his tribe was discovered by the Half King, who then got Washington's approval to attack. The British and Jumonville's tribe then stormed the camp, and in a battle lasting only 15 minutes, dominating the French Canadiens. Jumonville was wounded and taken prisoner.
Washington, then, was trying to interrogate Jumonville, but it was difficult because he could not understand his language. In the middle of the interrogation, the Half King walked up to Jumonville and split his skull in half with his tomahawk, ending his life on May 28, 1754.