The Burgesses, however, pleaded economy, and refused to grant funds adequate to this purpose.
Nevertheless, the Governor having equipped a small troop, under the command of Colonel Fry, with Washington as second, hurried it forth.
During May and June they were near the Forks, and with the approach of danger, Washington's spirit and recklessness increased.

In a slight skirmish, M.de Jumonville, the French commander, was killed.

Fry died of disease and Washington took his place as commander.

Perceiving that his own position was precarious, and expecting an attack by a large force of the enemy, he entrenched himself near Great Meadows in a hastily built fort, which he called Fort Necessity, and thought it possible to defend, even with his own small force, against five hundred French and Indians.

He miscalculated, however.