> What the heck is meant by "...leading his exposed men within the fort, > >without > >orders." > >I would think one needn't be armed while INSIDE the fort. > > > >James James, At the Battle of Ft. Necessity, the garrison at the fort initially faced off with the French troops outside the fort and exchanged volleys with them for a time. Being outnumbered by the French and Indian force, however, it was not a good idea to try to slug it out for long, and the garrison troops soon made an orderly retreat through the front gate of the fort. It sounds to me like this officer decided to withdraw his men to the fort before he had orders from Col. Washington, his commanding officer, allowing him to do so. Regards, Bruce