016. Fort Necessity - WDS French and Indian War

11:00 AM, July 3, 1754. --- Historical --- Upon hearing of the advance of de Villiers, Washington withdrew to Fort Necessity. Here he formed his little command, only 300 effectives, in line of battle. The French did not take the bait and elected to snipe away forcing the British to withdraw into the fort and shallow trench surrounding it.For 8 hours the unequal contest dragged out as one by one the French and their Indian allies picked off Washington's men. Finally, rain fell with the night. That night the Virginians, believing it would be their last one alive, broke into the rum supply. On July 4th with a garrison of drunken soldiers and no water nearby, Washington chose to accept the terms de Villiers offered. 22 years before he signed the Declaration of Independence, a dispirited George Washington signed a letter of surrender and led his defeated command home to Virginia. 1st side to move: French.