May 26, 2004 4 min read

(Editor’s note: This is the another in a series of stories leading up to the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. The war started with a skirmish at Jumonville Glen and a re-enactment will be held near there on Friday at 7;30 a.m.) By Robert Adamovich

I have been afforded the opportunity to write an ongoing series of articles about the journey of George Washington and his men of the Virginia regiment to the frontier, 250 years ago in 1754.

To this point, we have not only looked at the necessity of Washington’s mission to strengthen, occupy and defend the Ohio Territory, but also to build a road to Redstone which is at present day Brownsville.

We also have retraced the Virginia regiments first few steps from Alexandria, Va., to Wills Creek at present day Cumberland, Md., and on into the frontier.

The area of the wilderness west of Wills Creek in present day western Maryland is of particular interest.

The road building process was indeed difficult, not only because of the physical hardships of working with crude tools such as shovels, spades and axes but the ordeals associated with the rugged terrain.

The ascent and decent over the peak of Big Savage Mountain was especially arduous. The road topped the mountain at 2,855 feet above sea level, which was very near the highest point.

The area west of the Savage River was not necessarily difficult in terms of terrain, but quite ominous in the mental psyche of all who would pass through this wilderness region. This location in the highlands was known as “The Shades of Death.”

In 1754, this area was a very deep forest of very large native pine trees that reached heights of up to 200 feet.

The overall height of the trees and their proximity to one another kept the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. The thought of who may be laying in wait behind the pines in this dark, dismal portion of the wilderness most assuredly cast a certain mesmerizing spell of all who traversed this region.

It is interesting to note, this gloomy location was a dreaded area for all travelers of not only the mid 18th century, but many years thereafter.

Washington and his men then made their way westward fording the Cassleman River near present day Grantsville, Md., and also crossing Negro Mountain, which brought them to the Youghiogheny River.

The area where Washington and his men forded the Youghiogheny would later be known as the “Great Crossing.”

This was the location where Washington and his men would temporarily part ways. Washington sent his men onward to the great meadows, as he and a small detachment went in search of a possible river passage route.

Washington’s diversion would take him down river on the Youghiogheny to present day Confluence. That area was then known as Turkey Foot or Three Forks.

Washington’s river voyage would end with the dissatisfaction that the Youghiogheny would not be navigable when he arrived at the falls at present day Ohiopyle.

Therefore, he and his small detachment set out overland to unite with the rest of the Virginia regiment.

Our next segment tomorrow will detail Washington’s arrival at the Great Meadows and the prelude to the Jumonville Glen battle.

For anyone interested, the Braddock Road Preservation Association at Jumonville is sponsoring a variety of activities this weekend, marking the 250th anniversary of the skirmish.

The full schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday

1 p.m., Registration for seminar opens (ends at 5 p.m.).

5:30 p.m., Optional dinner in Asbury Dining Hall.

7 p.m. Opening and reception at Wesley Hall (ends at 9 p.m.); Opening Lecture on “Washington as Military Commander” by Christian Cameron, recent author of the novel “Washington and Caesar.”

Friday

6:45 a.m., Registration opens in Asbury Dining Hall – coffee and donuts will be provided during registration.

7:30 a.m., Re-enactment of the Jumonville skirmish at the “Green Cathedral.”

9 a.m., Seminar opens at Wesley Hall.

9:15 a.m., “Jumonville and His Men” – lecture by Dr. David Bell, Johns Hopkins University.

11:45 a.m., Break – Participants are invited to view the special traveling exhibit “George Washington Remembers: Reflections on the French and Indian War” and the Rindfuss Museum in Ann Murphy.

12:30 p.m., lunch

1:45 p.m. Shuttle Bus departure for Jumonville Glen – speakers and audience participate. If weather prohibits, session at Wesley Hall.

3:30 p.m., seminar ends.

Fore reservations contact Jumonville at 724-439-4912 or visit the BRPA website at www.braddockroad.org

. Lodging and meal packages are also available.