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Why did George Washington build Fort Necessity?

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Painting of Edward Braddock and British troops in uniform advancing through dense forest, facing Native American and French fighters during the French and Indian War near Fort Duquesne. — French and Indian War British commander Edward Braddock and his troops preparing to march on the French-held Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) during the French and Indian War.

George Washington built Fort Necessity at Great Meadows as a defensive measure following his involvement in the Battle of Jumonville Glen. After Washington’s forces ambushed a French scouting party on May 28, 1754, resulting in the death of the French commander, Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville, Washington anticipated a retaliatory counterattack from the French forces stationed at Fort Duquesne.12

Recognizing that a French response was inevitable, Washington fortified his camp at Great Meadows while awaiting the arrival of the remainder of his volunteer regiment. Upon assuming command of the regiment following the death of his colonel, Washington directed his men to construct a small log palisade, which he named Fort Necessity. He used this site to consolidate his position and prepare for the expected French offensive, which ultimately occurred on July 3, 1754.13