Major George Washington and his guide Christopher Gist set out from Williamsburg in October 1753 to deliver a warning from Virginia's governor to the French army that had invaded the Allegheny River Valley. On their return trip, their progress was slow so they constructed a log raft to pole across the Allegheny River. Washington fell into the icy waters but they were able to light a fire and survive. They arrived back in Williamsburg on January 16th with the French commander's refusal to withdraw forces.