You're listening to American Shadows, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm & Mild

from Aaron Manky.

America was in turmoil.

Britain's quest for territory.

Britain's quest for territory and control prompted young George Washington to enlist.

His formal education immediately afforded him the title of Major, though he had no experience

and little training.

The French had claimed both Canada and the Great Lakes, Britain controlled colonies along

the eastern seaboard, both fought for control of the upper Ohio River Valley.

Still new and without large forces, the colonists didn't fare well in territorial conflicts.

By the time Washington was assigned to defend the area, that now consists of Ohio, Pennsylvania,

West Virginia and Kentucky.

The French and British both stood their ground, waiting for the other side to attack first.

On May 27th of 1754, Washington and a regiment of roughly 150 men left their encampment.

Their orders were to arrive in the Ohio Valley and assist in building a stronghold at

transfer.

And the men found the only thing more miserable than traveling through the dense woods

under a pitch-black sky was the unrelenting rain.

But soon they would encounter worse.

A messenger arrived with bad news during their trip westward through the Appalachian forest.

The French had captured the fort.

They had hundreds of soldiers and plenty of supplies.

...