The Fort Necessity Campaign (continued)

BUILDING THE STOCKADE. While awaiting the arrival of support before making the next move toward Redstone Creek, it became clear to Washington that the small fortifications at Great Meadows needed strengthening if he was to hold his position against a strong attack. Taking advantage of the brief respite, the men were put to work enlarging and strengthening the fort. From his camp at Great Meadows, the young colonel noted in periodic communications the progress of fort construction.

Writing to Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia on May 29, the day after the Jumonville incident, Washington stated "we have already begun a Palisado'd Fort, and hope we can have it up tomorrow . . ."

Washington informed his brother, Augustine, on May 31 "We expect every hour to be attacked by a superior force, but, if they forbear one day longer, we shall be prepared for them. We have already got entrenchments, and are about a pallisado which I hope will be finished today ..."

On June 1, Washington noted in his Journal "we are finishing our Fort." Two days later, he again wrote Governor Dinwiddie informing him "We have just finished a small palisado'd fort, in which, with my small numbers, I shall not fear the attack of 500 men.

The remainder of the Virginia regiment, about 200 men, arrived June 9 from Wills Creek under Lt. Col. George Muse. Upon the arrival of these reinforcements, Washington on June 12 took additional measures of preparedness against attack by guarding against "all casualties that might happen to the camp, and ordered Col. Muse to repair into the fort, and erect the small swivels [cannon] for the defense of the place ..." On the same day, apparently with reference to his plan of continuing the opening of a road to Redstone Creek, Washington noted in his diary that he ". . . gave orders to Col. Muse, to put away all our baggage and ammunition, and to place them in the Fort, and to set a good guard there till my return." The possible urgent use to be made of the little fort at Great Meadows was indicated in the report of Governor Dinwiddie to the Lords of Trade, dated June 18, in which he stated "our Forces have erected a Stockade Fort near the Monongahela for a retreat on occasion. . . ."