In the 1750s, the British, the French, and the Native Americans all wanted the land west of the British colonies, and they all claimed it as theirs. In 1754, a young officer led British and Indian troops to the area. When they came upon a small camp of French soldiers, the officer ordered a surprise attack. One of his soldiers shot the French leader, and an Indian ally killed the wounded man. The young officer was George Washington. He was thrilled to have won his first battle. After the battle, Washingtons men built a small fort called Fort Necessity, but the French soon attacked, and Washingtons troops were defeated and had to retreat. It was the fourth of July. The French and Indian War had begun.
