George Washington's Journal for 1754

Fearing that as soon as the news of this defeat should reach the French...I began to raise a fort with a little palisade... - George Washington, May 30, 1754

In the spring of 1754, 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Regiment was dispatched to the Ohio River Valley to investigate French forces congregating in the region. His journal from that year, spanning March 31 to June 27, details the surprise skirmish at Jumonville Glen and the preparations leading to the Battle of Fort Necessity.

Seized by the French during Washington’s only military surrender there, this journal and his unwitting admission to assassinating a French diplomat at Jumonville Glen were used as propaganda to help start the French and Indian War. Since the original journal was lost, this version has been retranslated in English and includes detailed notes to explain the history.

Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington, Pennsylvania, preserves the 1754 battlefield that ignited the French and Indian War. Beyond the reconstructed circular stockade, the park features a visitor center and museum, miles of historic trails, and the landmark Mount Washington Tavern.

Product Details

• Historical nonfiction – primary source document of George Washington’s writings
• 34 pages, approx. 6” x 9”, soft cover booklet
• Features detailed footnotes to provide context and insight into the opening moments of the French and Indian War
• Printed in USA, published by Eastern National