Fort Necessity, located in modern-day Farmington, PA, was the site of the first actual military of the French and Indian War.
   George Washington ordered the fort's in 1754, after his forces engaged a French scouting party while marching toward Fort Duquesne. Washington ordered an attack on the party, which resulted in the deaths of at least 10 French soldiers and the of 21 more. Washington then to Great Meadows, a large natural that he made his base camp. At Great Meadows, Fort Necessity was hastily built and in anticipation of a French counterattack.
   Word of the attack soon reached French military forces in the region. On July 3, 1754, 600 French troops led by Louis Coulon de Villiers, along with 100 Indians the fort. Washington, who was badly outnumbered, accepted a that would allow he and his soldiers to withdraw from the fort peacefully. The French then the fort and soon burned it to the ground. The battle at Fort Necessity marked the only time that George Washington ever in his military career.