Jumonville Glen

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Seven mile west of Fort Necessity, 732 State Rt 2021, Hopwood, PA 15445

Significance:

The first shots of the French and Indian War

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places

Amenities

5 listed

Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead

The first shots of the French and Indian War occurred during a fifteen minute skirmish between men from New France, native tribes, and British colonial Virginians (led by twenty-two year old George Washington.)

After hiking through the rainy night, on the morning of May 28th, 1754, Washington with forty men, met with his native allies who led him to the secluded spot where the French soldiers were camping. The plan was to surround the party of French and find out what they were up to. However, while getting into position, a shot, still hotly debated on whether it was British or French, was fired. Washington will order the Virginian soldiers to open fire.

Once the smoke clears, 17 of the French are dead wounded, and the rest surrender to the Virginians. In the confusion that followed, the wounded French commander, Ensign Jumonville, was attacked and killed by one of Washington’s American Indian allies, Tanaghrisson (aka Half-King).

In future years, the commander’s name would be used to identify the out-of-the way spot, Jumonville Glen. Jumonville Glen is open seasonally (May 1st to October 31st) and includes a walking trail with interpretive signs. The path from the parking lot to the overlook is paved, then from the overlook into the glen is a wilderness trail. Wear good hiking shoes, be aware of tripping hazards, take water, and be aware that cell phone service is spotty at the glen.

Follow the link for more history on the Jumonville skirmish.

• Jumonville Glen

  
  

  An audio clip from the self guided tour that describes the events of May 28th, 1754 at Jumonville Glen
  Audio Transcript

  Jumonville Glen is about 7 miles Northwest from the main part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield.

  Over a month before the Battle of Fort Necessity, on May 27th, 1754, a young George Washington was leading a group of British soldiers in building a military road over the Allegheny Mountains into the Ohio River Valley. He was warned by American Indian ally Tanaghrisson that there was a French patrol nearby, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Jumonville had orders to inform the nearest British officer that they were trespassing on French Territory, while also forcing out British traders in the area.

  On May 28th, 1754 these three groups of the British, American Indians, and the French came together in this small glen, and a 15 minute skirmish broke out. The accounts of the parties involved confirm each other in some aspects, yet conflict in others, particularly in who fired the first shots. Ultimately, the French leader Joseph Coulon de Jumonville was killed by Tanaghrisson, and the rest of the French survivors were taken prisoner by George Washington.

  To avenge the killing of Jumonville, the French sent a force of approximately 600 French and American Indian allies from Fort Duquesne, lead by Jumonville's elder half brother, Louis Coulon de Villiers. Over a month later, on July 3rd, 1754 that French and American Indian allied force would attack George Washington's British soldiers in the Battle of Fort Necessity.

  The skirmish at Jumonville Glen and the Battle of Fort Necessity are considered the opening engagements in the French and Indian War.