Fort Cumberland (Maryland) facts for kids
Fort Cumberland was an important fort built in 1754. It was located where Cumberland, Maryland is today. This fort played a big role during the French and Indian War (1754–1763). It was also where a young George Washington started his military career.
Contents
History
Building the Fort
In the fall of 1754, soldiers from Maryland built a simple fort. It was located where Wills Creek meets the Potomac River. This area is now the city of Cumberland, Maryland. Captain John Dagworthy led the Maryland troops. Colonel James Innes was in charge of all colonial forces.
A few years before, a man named Thomas Cresap had set up a trading post nearby. He hired Native Americans, including Chief Nemacolin. They helped create a shorter path through the Allegheny Mountains. This path became known as Nemacolin's Path.
The fort was first called Fort Mount Pleasant. But in 1755, its name was changed to Fort Cumberland.
Fort Cumberland in the French and Indian War
Fort Cumberland became very important in 1755 during the French and Indian War. It was a meeting point for British forces led by General Braddock. The fort was made of wood walls called a palisade. Today, the wooden fort is gone. The Emmanuel Episcopal Church now stands on the site. But old tunnels from the fort are still underneath!
This fort was once the farthest western outpost of the British Empire in America. It was the starting point for General Braddock's expedition. This journey was a disaster for the British. They were trying to fight the French at Fort Duquesne in what is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When General Braddock was killed, a young officer from Virginia, George Washington, led the troops back to Fort Cumberland. At the fort, Washington had a disagreement with Captain Dagworthy. They argued about who was in charge. Washington was a Major in the Virginia militia. This rank was higher than a Maryland Captain. But Dagworthy said he also had a special Royal commission. This meant he outranked any colonial militia officer.
Description
In May 1755, a British officer with General Braddock described the new Fort Cumberland. He said it was about 200 yards from Wills Creek. It was on a hill and about 400 yards from the Potomac River. The fort was about 200 yards long and 46 yards wide. It was built with logs driven into the ground, standing about 12 feet high.
Eleven days later, the officer reported that 100 carpenters were working. They were building a storage area for supplies. They were also building a bridge over Wills Creek.
Drawings of Fort Cumberland can be found in the British Museum. There is also a small model of the fort inside the Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Fort Cumberland's dependent forts
Fort Cumberland was part of a network of forts. Here are some of the other forts that were connected to it:
- Fort Ohio, an earlier fort built across the river in Ridgeley, West Virginia
- Fort Sellers
- Fort Ashby, an earlier fort built in Fort Ashby, West Virginia
- Fort Cocke, an earlier fort built upstream from Fort Ashby, West Virginia
- Fort Pleasant (Fort Van Meter), on the upper South Branch
