Fort Necessity
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fort Necessity
National Battlefield
What is an Earthwork? Forts and Fortifications
Washington’s “Fort of Necessity”
On June 3, 1754, George Washington wrote to Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie, “We have just
finish’d a small palisadod Fort in which with my small Number’s I shall not fear the attack of 500 Men.” Thus began
Washington’s effort to protect his men and supplies as they advanced towards the French who were based out of Fort
Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh).
From our modern-day prospective Fort Necessity is less than desirable for use in combat. Its small size and location
make it look vulnerable. The campaign combined with the abilities of Washington and his soldiers did shape the
defensive measures they would take.
A Look at Forts in the
Age of Vauban
During the eighteenth century (1700’s) forts, fortifications and siege warfare were considered an art form.
Military engineers took great pride in the development and design of forts and conversely in their ability to
destroy them. The chief engineer to the French court, Sébastien le Prestre de Vauban (1633 - 1707),
improved the
classic design of
forts during the
Age of Enlightenment. He and his
counterparts like
Dutchman Menno
van Coehoorn
developed
‘systems’ which
became standard
practice for
military engineers
and officers over
several decades.
Using precise
angles, ditches,
ramps and
mounds Vauban
made attempts to
create the perfect
fortification. Even
Vauban conceded
every fort can be
taken in siege.
Classical Design
The elements of fortification are based on creating
differences in elevation (ditches and walls) to the
advantage of the defender and detriment of the
attacker. From these two features a whole series of
defensive works are employed. Typical 18th
century design begins with a square enclosure
(although other geometric shapes were used) of
earth, stone, brick or logs. At each corner is placed
an angular projection call a bastion. Bastions allow
defenders to maximize their firepower and
eliminate ‘dead ground.’
Beyond the fort wall existed ditches and outer
works. Meant to befuddle attackers and deflect
artillery the outer works allowed defenders to keep
the besieging army at a distance in an effort to drain
their resources. Redoubts, redans, lunettes,
ravelins, blockhouses, palisades and moats are
examples of outer works that added to the
discomfort of the attackers. Some of these elements
are found at Fort Necessity
Washington’s plans for
defense
The Great Meadows offers defensive advantages.
The natural clearing provides feed and water for
horses and cattle, plus protection from surprise
attack. The creek beds are ‘natural entrenchments’
into which his men find cover and return fire. A last
minute improvement is a circular stockade
containing a storage cabin to protect the supplies.
Yet this is not enough security for the Virginians.
deep. The present height of the earthworks is
misleading as archaeological evidence interprets
taller embankments nearly five feet high when
standing in the rear ditch. One fatal flaw confronts
Washington. The stockade’s proximity to the tree
line (60 yards to the south and 80 yards to the west)
puts it within effective musket fire. To correct this
long sections of earthworks face these areas. Now
the British can concentration their fire towards the
enemy in these tree lines
By July, Washington commands 400 troops. With
the realization the present defenses are not
adequate, work begins on new entrenchments days
prior to the French attack. Two V shaped
embankments five feet wide make a redoubt to
enclose the stockade. Complementing the back and
front edge of each earthwork is a ditch two feet
Fort Necessity in Battle
Eventually forcing the fort’s
surrender, the French hesitate
launching any frontal assault
against the earth enclosure as
Washington’s men fight
tenaciously. The French
commander Captain Louis
Coulon de Villiers notes the fort
“was advantageously enough
situated in a meadow.” Although
Fort Necessity is a defeat for
Washington, he makes the best
of a situation at times out of his
control and fraught with limited
resources.
Protecting the Resource
Unfortunately for Fort Necessity, much of its
original defenses are gone; reconstructed
earthworks and stockade recreate the scene for our
visitors. In some places throughout America there
can be found original forts and defensive works
with some protected as historic sites. And yet these
are still under siege through the ravages of time and
visitor pressure. Even Fort Necessity’s
reconstructed earthworks have eroded to half their
built height over the last fifty years by visitor foot
traffic.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
Of less concern to Washington are two hillsides
flanking Great Meadows. Containing thick forest
and out of effective musket range they present no
advantage to the French.
What can you do to protect these historic
resources? Stay on designated paths and avoid
“social” trails through earthworks. Ward off the
temptation to climb fort walls and earthworks. For
added safety stay away from sharp drop-offs and
closed areas within and around forts. All this helps
to minimize the effects of erosion and keep these
resources available for future generations to enjoy
and better understand the past.
Jun 09
