Waterford Erie Pennsylvania United States
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British and Canadian traders throughout the 1740s and early 1750s had increasingly come into contact in the Ohio Country, including the upper watershed of the Ohio River in what is now western Pennsylvania.
Authorities in New France have became more aggressive in their efforts to expel British traders and colonists from this area, and in 1753 begin construction of a series of fortifications in the area.
Paul Marin de la Malgue, commander of the French and Canadien construction force, has constructed two forts, the main one being Fort Le Boeuf.
The French action has drawn the attention of not just the British, but also the native tribes of the area.
Despite good Franco-native relations, British traders have become highly successful in persuading the natives to trade with them in preference to the Canadiens, and the planned large-scale advance is not well received by all.
In particular, Tanacharison, a Mingo chief also known as the "Half King", has become decidedly anti-French as a consequence.
In a meeting with Paul Marin de la Malgue, the latter reportedly loses his temper, throwing down some wampum that Tanacharison had offered as a good will gesture.
Marin's military successes had earned him the cross of Saint Louis, but he had died in late October before learning of this honor, and and command of the operations had been turned over to Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, who, returning from the western forts in 1753, has been assigned to the Ohio Country.
Authorities in New France have became more aggressive in their efforts to expel British traders and colonists from this area, and in 1753 begin construction of a series of fortifications in the area.
Paul Marin de la Malgue, commander of the French and Canadien construction force, has constructed two forts, the main one being Fort Le Boeuf.
The French action has drawn the attention of not just the British, but also the native tribes of the area.
Despite good Franco-native relations, British traders have become highly successful in persuading the natives to trade with them in preference to the Canadiens, and the planned large-scale advance is not well received by all.
In particular, Tanacharison, a Mingo chief also known as the "Half King", has become decidedly anti-French as a consequence.
In a meeting with Paul Marin de la Malgue, the latter reportedly loses his temper, throwing down some wampum that Tanacharison had offered as a good will gesture.
Marin's military successes had earned him the cross of Saint Louis, but he had died in late October before learning of this honor, and and command of the operations had been turned over to Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, who, returning from the western forts in 1753, has been assigned to the Ohio Country.
Washington has taken Christopher Gist along as his guide; during the trip, Gist will earn his place in history by saving the young major's life on two separate occasions.
Washington arrives at Fort Le Boeuf on December 11, 1753.
Saint-Pierre receives Washington politely, but rejects his ultimatum, informing him that he is here pursuant to orders, that Washington's letter should have been addressed to his commanding officer in Canada, and that he has no intention of leaving.
He gives Washington three days hospitality at the fort, then gives him a letter to deliver to Dinwiddie.
The letter conveys to Dinwiddie that he will send Dinwiddie's request on to Marquis de Duquesne in Quebec and will meantime maintain his post while he awaits the latter's orders.
Washington notes during his stay that the fort has one hundred men, a large number of officers, fifty birch canoes and seventy pine canoes, many unfinished.
He described the fort as on a south or west fork of French creek, near the water, and almost surrounded by it.
Four houses compose the sides.
The bastions are made of piles driven into the ground, standing more than twelve feet (three point seven meters) high, and sharpened at the top.
Port holes for cannon and loop-holes for small-arms are cut into the bastions.
Each bastion mounts eight six-pound cannon and one four-pound cannon guards the gate.
Inside the bastions stand a guard-house, chapel, doctor's lodging and the commander's private stores.
Outside the fort are several log barracks, some covered with bark, others with boards.
In addition, there are stables, a smithy and other buildings.
Washington arrives at Fort Le Boeuf on December 11, 1753.
Saint-Pierre receives Washington politely, but rejects his ultimatum, informing him that he is here pursuant to orders, that Washington's letter should have been addressed to his commanding officer in Canada, and that he has no intention of leaving.
He gives Washington three days hospitality at the fort, then gives him a letter to deliver to Dinwiddie.
The letter conveys to Dinwiddie that he will send Dinwiddie's request on to Marquis de Duquesne in Quebec and will meantime maintain his post while he awaits the latter's orders.
Washington notes during his stay that the fort has one hundred men, a large number of officers, fifty birch canoes and seventy pine canoes, many unfinished.
He described the fort as on a south or west fork of French creek, near the water, and almost surrounded by it.
Four houses compose the sides.
The bastions are made of piles driven into the ground, standing more than twelve feet (three point seven meters) high, and sharpened at the top.
Port holes for cannon and loop-holes for small-arms are cut into the bastions.
Each bastion mounts eight six-pound cannon and one four-pound cannon guards the gate.
Inside the bastions stand a guard-house, chapel, doctor's lodging and the commander's private stores.
Outside the fort are several log barracks, some covered with bark, others with boards.
In addition, there are stables, a smithy and other buildings.
Possibly the same Seneca warriors attack Fort Le Boeuf (on the site of Waterford, Pennsylvania) on June 18, but most of the twelve-man garrison escapes to Fort Pitt.