On the morning of May 28, 1754, musket fire shattered the predawn
stillness. George Washington and forty of his men alongside Seneca
chief “Half King” and several warriors ambushed a small
French force camped here at Jumonville Glen. The skirmish lasted
fifteen minutes. Ten French soldiers were killed and twenty- one
were taken prisoner. Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville the leader
of the French detachment was killed by the “Half Kings”
tomahawk while being questioned by Washington. One French soldier
managed to escape bare foot to Fort Duquesne (the site of present
day Pittsburgh) some 60 miles away to tell of the attack. This was
George Washington’s first military battle and historians
would later declare that his was the shot “that set the world
on fire”. This was the starting volley of the French and
Indian War also known as the Seven Years War. At stake: the control
of the Ohio Valley and the settlement of North America.
Washington realizing a French counter attack would soon be
coming returned to make ready at Fort Necessity seven miles to the
east. On July the 3rd, seven hundred French and Indians under the
command of Capt. Louis Coulon de Villiers, (Ensign
Jumonville’s brother!) surrounded the Fort...
This cache is located 150 yards north of Washington’s
Rocks at Jumonville Glen administered by The National Park Service.
The cache is NOT on National Park property, it is placed with
permission on the Jumonville Christian Camp and Retreat Center. The
cache can be accessed from parking areas at the NPS or at a well
marked trail head along Old Braddock Road. (recommended, follow the
gravel path) This immediate area invites exploration. Please allow
time to explore the Green Cathedral, traces of historic
Braddock’s Road, Washington's rocks,Camp Jumonville and QM's
Sherri's Cache.
Old Braddock Road parking N 39 53.030 W 079 38.716
NPS parking N 39 52.796 W 079 38.571
Green Cathedral N 39 52.951 W 079 38.437
Sherri's Cache N 39° 53.292 W 079° 38.658