Necessity, Fort

(July 3, 1754). From Great Meadows Washington had advanced toward Fort Duquesne, but hearing that a large detachment of French were on foot he fell back to his former position. Here he hastily erected a rude intrenchment which he called Fort Nece ity. On July 1st his garrison amounted to about 300 men. The French numbered nearly 500, including Indians. On July 3d they approached the fort in a pouring rain. The French had a superior position, and the fight raged intermittently for nine hours. At length a parley sounded, and after little delay the garrison capitulated with honors of war, surrendering prisoners taken at Great Meadows and being a ured of unmolested retreat.