December 14th, 1753. Major Washington watched the fire flicker in front of him. The dancing shapes reminded him of things that he wished to do, but couldn’t. Couldn’t, because he was stuck here having to listen to this … this politician. Lagerdeur de Sainte Pierre.
“He just keeps going on and on,” thought the Major. “I wish he would just get to the point.”
He knew that Jacob was paraphrasing de Sainte Pierre’s ramblings. Jacob Van Braam was an accomplished interpreter of French and was deft at thinning out unnecessary verbiage.
“So where exactly is your captain, Legardeur de Repentign?” the Major said. He made a rolling motion with his hands, to encourage Jacob’s immediate translation.
“He’s traveling from Presque Isle,” said Van Braam, interpreting de Sainte Pierre “But we’re confident we’ll be receiving an update shortly. If you could just be patient.”
The Major recognized the French word patience. Patient! “That’s all I’ve been,” thought the major squirming in the rough-shod chair.
He had been traveling from fort to fort trying to find someone who would take responsibility. He was able to track down the politician, de Sainte Pierre, here at Fort Le Beouf. This saved his having to travel all the way north to the great lake and Fort Presque Isle.
The Commander of French forces in the Northern Teritory, Legardeur de Saint Pierre, was older than the Major had hoped, probably closer to twice his age. He had imagined Legardeur de Sainte Pierre and his French contingent this far west to be more like frontiers men and trappers. But de Saint Pierre was neither curt nor gruff, and actually very well mannered for this part of the world. The Major watched Saint Pierre’s long fingers work deftly as he spoke, moving from digit to digit in a meticulous manner. Just like most politicians, he was accomplished at prattle.
”At least I’ve been able to collect some knowledge of the French strengths and locations,” thought the Major. “I wouldn’t have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes. Governor Dinwiddie was right, these French are actually going for control of the Forks of the Ohio, and the savages are helping them.”
The Major hoped his mission would be over in short order, as soon as he could persuade the new Legardeur to sign or reject Dinwiddie’s demand.
The Major anticipated a quick decision after the arrival of Repentign and getting back to Virginia to deliver the news to Governor Dinwiddie. But since de Saint Pierre wouldn’t accept Van Braam’s interpretation of the letter, he and Van Braam had to wait at Le Beouf until the arrival of his interpreter.
“So it’s all settled then, I’ll have someone show you both to your quarters,” said de Sainte Pierre.
“Uh, well, alright that will have to do,” replied the Major. His chair let out a heavy squeek as he shifted forward and lifted his six-foot-tall frame rom the seat. With any luck, he hoped his accommodations would have better furnishings.
“Good day to you, Legardeur de Saint Pierre.”
“Au revoir, Major Washington.”
The Major and van Braam walked out of the warm comfort of de Sainte Pierre’s office into the sting of the Allegheny winter night. As they walked, the Major turned to van Braam. “The French seem to have adapted to this frontier life much differently from us British,” he said
Fort Le Boeuf was impressive with over 100 hundred men, a large number of officers, 50 birch canoes, and 70 pine canoes, many of which lay about unfinished. The fort was constructed on the southwest fork of the creek, and was almost surrounded by water. The palisades were built of sharpened piles driven deep into the ground, that formed a continuous wall more than 12-feet high and encircled the fort. Port holes for cannon and loop-holes for muskets were cut into the wall.
Each bastion mounted eight, six-pound cannon. A four-pound cannon guarded the gate. Inside stood a guard-house, a chapel, a doctor’s lodging and the de Sainte Pierre’s private stores. Outside, stood several log barracks, some covered with bark, others, with boards. There were stables, a smithy, and other buildings.
“I must remember to write in my journal about those fastenings and the reinforcement on that wall” thought the Major. “Damn ingenious French. Probably stole that idea from the Germans, who, with the Dutch are showing up all over the frontier, especially in Pennsylvania.”
The Major knew that as the frontier was being populated by Europeans, the savages were being pushed back across the Allegheny into the Ohio country and the balance was being populated. First, came the trappers, followed by the French coming in from the north. Their control of the northern territory was formidable. But the British high command controlled the east coast and all the important ports — Philadelphia, Boston, and New York.
Dinwiddie’s colonial militia had kept things under control in Virginia Country and as far south as necessary, but the danger was real, with the French threatening to control the waterways of the Forks of Ohio. In time, they could establish forts starting at Le Beouf along the Allegheny River until they connected with their forces in the southern delta. That would effectively block westward expansion on the frontier and keep British forces bottled up in the east. At that point, the French would only need to worry about keeping the savages at bay.
The savages still posed a problem this far west, especially with the French stirring things up. Apparently, the French had some good trading relationships with the Seneca, as evidenced hy the French-made muskets and blankets the Major had noted earlier at Chief Guyasuda’s camp.
“No matter,” thought the Major. “Once the British send a real general out here with some disciplined troops, the situation will change for the better. My mission will help to persuade the British command that events out here demand immediate attention. That is, if I can get an answer from someone out here to Governor Dinwiddie’s demand before we all freeze to death.”
The French private led them at a fast-walk pace across the court. “They don’t want me lingering around,” he thought as he followed.
There wasn’t much to see anyway. And the Major had already estimated the French strength from being dragged from fort to fort. The barrels stacked up against one building, told him that the French were careful about things that didn’t matter and sloppy about things that did. He noted that Jacob didn’t seem to notice, as he eavesdropped on the soldier’s conversations with the Major.
“Voile, monsieur,” said the private. Please call on your attendant, if you need anything.” The private sneered, and Jacob interpreted his comments to the Major in deadpan fashion. The private directed Jacob to his left to the quarters for him and the other members of their party.
“Thank you, but I shan’t need anything else,”
said the Major.
The door was shut, but not locked. It didn’t matter. The Major e knew he was being observed. His quarters were right across from the guard station. Attendants indeed.