USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. I > Part 21
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* Western Annals, p. 696. Reynold's Hist. Ill., p. 68.
t Western Annals, p. 697.
225
General Clark at Kaskaskia.
which he was the first projector, to take possession of Vincennes and the Illinois villages, and set up the authority of the new government in those distant posts, as a nucleus of power round which the Indians could gather. The infant settlements of Kentucky were then begun, and Clark was among them, but left for Virginia on the Ist of October, 1777, for the purpose of laying his plan before Patrick Henry, the Governor. On the Ioth of December he had an interview with him, and laid his plans before him.
After several interviews, Governor Henry gave his consent, and immediate preparations were made to put them into execution. The utmost secrecy was necessary to its success, for had it been known in advance, the English could have sent a sufficient force from Detroit to take the whole party prisoners ere they arrived on the ground. As a blind to the real destination of the expedition, Governor Henry first gave Clark instructions to proceed to the Kentucky settlements with his force, for the purpose of defending them against Indian attack. These were published, and gave rise to some murmurs among the revolutionary spirits of the border that soldiers should be sent on such an errand when they were needed in the front to fight the British.
The expedition embarked from Pittsburgh, "shot the falls," as Clark expressed it, at Louisburg, on the 24th of June, kept on down the river to a little above Fort Massac, fifty miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and from thence they marched across the country to Kaskaskia.
On the 4th of July, 1778, when night had shed its gloom over river, grove and prairie, the people of Kaskaskia were startled by the cry, "If any one enters the streets, he shall be shot!" The terrified inhabitants remained in their houses during the fearful night, and when morning came a few of the principal citizens were seized and put in irons. Every avenue of escape was cut off, and the wretched inhabitants, who had been told by their British Governor Rochblave, that the Longknives (Americans) were barbarous and cruel to the last degree, began to think their barbarity had not
226
Clark Reassures Gibault.
been overrated, nor were their fears quieted on behold- ing the uncouth motions of their conquerors, so different from the graceful manners of the French, who had brought with them the blandishments of Paris to be reproduced in the American wilderness.
Under these painful forebodings, Gibault, the priest, and others, with deep humility, approached the general who commanded the rough band, at whose feet the town lay prostrate. The very first attempt to parley with him was embarrassing, for on entering his quarters, among the muscular backwoods officers who were around him, there was no distinction in etiquette or dress, and the perplexed priest was obliged to ask who the com- mander was. On being informed, a painful pause ensued for the want of words wherewith to frame the requests he was about to make. The suspense over, Gibault, in an attitude of supplication, begged the privilege that his people might depart in peace, without being separated from their families, and hoped a small allowance of provisions might be retained by them for their immediate wants; which mild request was accom- panied with an assurance that many of the inhabitants frequently expressed themselves in favor of the Ameri- cans in their contest with the mother country.
Up to this moment Clark had wrought upon their fears only. Now came the sunny side to the front, and never did the nobility masked beneath a rough exterior, in the bosom of the forest ranger, show to better advan- tage. In brief words he informed them that the Amer- icans came not to deprive them of their liberty, or to interfere with their religion, or to plunder them of their property. The shackles were now taken from the cap- tives and freedom proclaimed to all. The people were now in transports. The bells were rung and the streets were vocal with song, and gayety reigned throughout the town.
On the 6th of February, France had acknowledged the independence of the United States. The news came to Gen. Clark while on his way down the river, in a letter from Col. Campbell, at Fort Pitt. Nothing could have been more timely for Clark, as he depended
227
The Grand Door.
on an accession to his number from the French in order to complete his plans for the conquest of the country, and this news would help his cause. He therefore lost no time in proceeding to business, and opened recruit- ing quarters at once. The ranks for a company were soon filled with newly enlisted Frenchmen, eager to serve in a cause that had already been espoused by their country. Cahokia and all the other French towns acquiesced in the new order, and contributed their quota to fill the ranks of Clark's little army.
The success which had thus far attended Clark was but the first step in the work before him. The whole country was full of Indians who had been conquered by the English in the recent war, and were now reconciled to them, all the more as they were dependent on them for supplies.
During the progress of the American Revolution thus far, the English traders and agents had been busy in the forests, inflaming the minds of the Indians against the Americans by the most absurd falsehoods, impressed upon their savage sensibilities by forest eloquence. To overcome this influence was all-important, and Clark set about the business with masterly skill. The most influential Indian chief in the whole country was The Grand Door, so called because his influence was so potent over the tribes along the Wabash river that no one would presume to enter its valley on an important mission, without first consulting him. To Capt. Helm, one of Gen. Clark's officers, was intrusted this delicate business. The first thing to do was to explain to The Grand Door the nature of the contest between the Americans and the English in such a manner as to leave no doubt in his majesty's savage instincts as to the justice, and, especially, the ultimate success of the American cause-the latter point being no less impor- tant in Indian diplomacy than in civilized.
With these instructions Capt. Helm started for the headquarters of The Grand Door, located in a Pianke- shaw village close by Vincennes Arriving safely at the latter place, he was well received by the French inhabi- tants, there being no English garrison there at the time.
228
Indian Councils.
The Door was then sent for, and on his arrival a letter was given him from Gen. Clark. He received it with becoming dignity, and promised to lay its contents be- fore his people. For several days they held council over the matter, when the chief returned to Vincennes and announced to Capt. Helm that he was now a "Big Knife," meaning that he had expoused the cause of the Americans. The evening was spent in merriment suited to the occasion.
No sooner was it known that The Grand Door had become a Big Knife, than all the other tribes of the country visited Capt. Helm's quarters at Vincennes, and gave in their adhesion to the Americans. The news of this accession of strength was promptly sent by an In- dian messenger to Gen. Clark, at Kaskaskia. Mean- time, it was soon spread among the tribes throughout the entire Illinois country. A council was convened at Cahokia, with their representative chiefs, to whom Gen. Clark, after explaining to them the nature of the contest between the Americans and the English, made the fol- lowing speech :
"You can now judge who is in the right. I have al- ready told you who I am. Here is a bloody belt and a white one; take which you please. Behave like men, and don't let your being surrounded by the Big Knives cause you to take up the one belt with your hands, while your hearts take up the other, If you take the bloody path you shall leave the town in safety, and may go and join your friends the English. We will then try, like warriors, who can put the most stumbling blocks in each other's way, and keep our clothes longest stained with blood. If, on the other hand, you should take the path of peace, and be received as brothers to the Big Knives, with their friends, the French, should you then listen to bad birds that may be flying through the land, you will no longer deserve to be counted as men, but as creatures with two tongues, that ought to be destroyed without lis- tening to anything that you might say. As I am con- vinced you never heard the truth before, I do not wish you to answer before you have taken time to counsel. We will, therefore, part this evening, and when the
229
Vincennes Occupied by the British.
Great Spirit shall bring us together again, let us speak and think like men with but one heart and one tongue."
The next day the chiefs returned, and before the council fires, which were still burning, presented Clark the sacred pipe, after waving it toward the heavens and the earth, an impressive way of calling heaven and earth to witness their bond of peace and alliance with the Big Knives. News of these successes were now sent to Gov. Henry, of Virginia, when, at a session of the General Assembly, an act was passed laying out a county called Illinois county, which embraced Vin- cennes, as well as the French villages of the Illinois. But before suitable officers could arrive on the ground to carry the act into effect, Henry Hamilton, the British Lieut. Governor of Detroit, came down upon Vincennes with thirty British regulars, fifty French soldiers enlisted at Detroit, and 400 Indian warriors.
He arrived at the place on the 15th of December. Soon as he was within hailing distance Capt. Helm, who was still there, cried out "Halt!" This stopped the advance of Hamilton, who in turn demanded a surrender of the garrison. "On what terms?" demanded the tenacious defender. "The honors of war," was the reply. The fort was surrendered, with its garrison of one soldier, named Henry, and one officer, Helm himself! *
Capt Helm was held a prisoner, and the French inhabitants having already taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, were disarmed. The news of this untoward event soon came to Clark at Kaskaskia, who saw at once his peril. A British army lay in the path of his retreat, backed by a confederacy of Indians who would doubtless turn against him at the first check he might receive.
While his fertile genius was on the rack for expedients wherewith to sustain himself, a Spanish trader, named Francis Vigo, came to his quarters with news from Vin- cennes. He informed Clark that Hamilton, being under no apprehension of an attack, had sent away the largest portion of his force to blockade the Ohio, and cut off his retreat, and with the first opening of spring
* Butler's Kentucky, p. 80.
230
Clark Marches against Vincennes.
an attack was to be made on the Illinois villages. His resolution was immediately taken. Vincennes, the head-center of these machinations, must be captured. " If I don't take Hamilton, Hamilton will take me," said Clark.
It was now the 29th of January, and so prompt were the French inhabitants of Kaskaskia to assist the Amer- icans, that by the 4th of February everything was ready. The artillery and stores for the expedition were placed on a light draught vessel, under command of one of his officers named John Rogers, to be transported down the Mississippi, and up the Ohio and Wabash rivers, to the destined field of operations against the post.
The next day Clark himself, with 175 men, a part of whom were French recruits, took up their march across the country for the same destination. On the 17th they reached the banks of the Wabash, but how to gain the opposite bank of the river, where the fort stood, was a problem more difficult of solution in the mind of Clark, than how to take the fort after he had crossed, for the late rains had flooded the broad intervals along the river, and far above and below a forest rose up through the swollen waters, mirroring its leafless branches, inverted into a picturesque mirage.
The morning gun of the fort was heard as the per- plexed invaders took up their tents, after a night's rest. Rafts were now made, and a few trusty Frenchmen dispatched across the mysterious waste, to steal boats from their moorings, outside of the unsuspecting town. This hazardous adventure proved a success after three days, during which time the army of Clark had been toiling through the flooded intervals of the Wabash, along the shallowest portions, endeavoring to gain its immediate bank.
On the 2 Ist the army crossed the turbulent stream in the boats stolen by the scouts, and now its labors were redoubled. The ground in advance was now reconnoi- tered in a canoe, and the depth of the flood sounded by Clark himself. This done, he blackened his face with powder, and gave the war-whoop, as if he had been an Indian, and marched into the water without saying a
WADING THROUGH THE SUBMERGED VALLEYS.
.
232
Hamilton Surrenders.
word. His comrades followed, under the inspiration of a war song, which was joined in along the whole line. Far along to the left a ridge rose above the waste of waters, where some open sheds had been built for a sugar camp. Here they spent the night, and the next day resumed their watery march toward the fort. For three days they had fasted, but on arriving at Vincennes the French stealthily brought provisions to the camp, and the siege began.
The resistance was determined for a while, but the courage and audacity of the besiegers knew no bounds, and after a spirited parley, Hamilton surrendered the fort, with its garrison, numbering seventy-nine men, on the 24th of February, 1779, and with this surrender the Northwest passed out of English hands into the immedi- ate possession of the Americans, except the posts which the former still held along the lakes. *
* NOTE .- The following from Law's History of Vincennes is copied as but a just tribute to the patriotism of Gibault and Vigo: "Pierre Gibault, parish priest at Vincennes, and occasionally performing his apostolic duties on the Mississippi, was at Kaskaskia in 1778-79, when Gen. Clark captured that place. The services he rendered Clark in that campaign, which were acknowledged by a resolution of the Legislature of Virginia, in 1780-his patriotism, his sacrifices, his courage and love of liberty, re- quire of me a fuller notice of this good man and pure patriot than I have been enabled to give in the published address. Father Gibault was a Jesuit missionary to the Illinois at an early period, and had the curacy of the parish at Kaskaskia when Clark took possession of that post; and no man has paid a more sincere tribute to the services ren- dered by Father Gibault to the American cause, than Clark himself. It was a matter of deep importance, especially after the arrest of Roch- blave, the commandant at Kaskaskia, for Clark to conciliate, if possible, the ancient inhabitants residing at Kaskaskia. This he effectually did through the agency of Father Gibault. Through his influence, not only were the French population of Kaskaskia induced to supply the troops with provisions and other necessaries, but to receive the depreciated continental paper currency of Virginia at par, for all supplies thus fur- nished, Vigo adding his guarantee for its redemption, and receiving it dollar for dollar, not only from the soldiers, but from the inhabitants, until it became entirely worthless. Father Gibault, but especially Vigo, had on hand at the close of the campaign, more than twenty thousand dollars of this worthless trash (the only funds, however, which Clark had in his military chest,) and not one dollar of which was ever redeemed, either for Vigo or Father Gibault, who, for this worthless trash, disposed 'of all his cattle, and the tithes of his parishion- ers,' in order to sustain Clark and his troops, without which aid they must have surrendered, surrounded, as they were, by the Indian allies of the British, and deprived of all resources but those furnished by the French inhabitants, through the persuasion of Vigo and Father Gi- bault. But more than this: Through the influence of these men, when Clark left Kaskaskia for the purpose of capturing Hamilton and his men at Post Vincennes, a company of fifty young Frenchmen was at
233
Stores Arrive at Vincennes.
Here the British power still lingered. On the 27th the vessel arrived with the stores, its hero commander mortified and inconsolable that he had not been able to reach the scene of operations in time to ferry Clark's army across the river, and bring to his gallant soldiers the provisions they so much needed during their three days of fasting. Among the prisoners taken at Vin- cennes were some young Frenchmen, enlisted by Hamil- ton at Detroit. These were released, on their taking an oath that they would not fight again against the Ameri- cans during the war, and were sent home, with abun- dant supplies to serve their wants on the way. On their arrival at Detroit, they did good service to the American cause by congratulating themselves that their oath did not bind them not to fight for the Americans, if a chance offered.
A large convoy of stores and provisions were on their way from Detroit to Vincennes when the Americans took it, which was intercepted on the way by a detach- ment under command of Capt. Helm, who by the late capitulation of the place was now released from the bonds of a war prisoner, and again an officer in Clark's little army. The amount of clothing, provisions, etc., was more than sufficient to supply all the wants of the garrison, and stinted rations and rags were now sub- stituted with plenteousness and comfortable garments.
Kaskaskia, who joined Clark's troops, under the command of Captain Charlevoix, who shared in all the perils and honors of that glorious campaign, which ended in the capture of the post, and the surrender of Hamilton, an event more important in its consequences than any other occurring during our revolutionary struggle.
"It was entirely through the means of Father Gibault that Hamilton released Col. Vigo, when sent by Clark to ascertain the true situation of affairs at Vincennes. He was captured by the Indians and taken to 'Fort Sackville,' where he was kept a prisoner on parole for many weeks, and released, entirely by the interference of Father Gibault, and the declaration of the French inhabitants at Vincennes, who, with their priest at their head, after service on the Sabbath, marched to the fort and informed Hamilton 'they would refuse all supplies to the garrison unless Vigo was released.' Of that release, and the important effect of Vigo's information to Clark on his return to Kaskaskia, in reference to the capture of the post by Hamilton, I have already spoken. Next to Clark and Vigo, the United States are indebted more to Father Gibault for the accession of the states comprised in what was the origi- nal Northwestern Territory, than to any other man."
The records of this benevolent man are still preserved in the church at Kaskaskia .- AUTHOR.
234
St. Joseph Taken by the Spanish.
On the 7th of March, Clark sent Colonel Hamilton, with eighteen of his principal soldiers, to Virginia, as war prisoners, under an escort of twenty-five men. Soon after their arrival, Hamilton was put in irons, and con- fined in a dungeon, debarred the use of pen, ink and paper, and excluded from all communication with any one except his keeper. This was done to punish him for having offered premiums to the Indians for white scalps. For this offense he was ever afterward called " The hair buyer."* The severity of his sentence was soon afterward mitigated by order of continental court martial.
Early in 1779 a war broke out between England and Spain, which was subsequently followed by an acknowl- edgment of the independence of the United States by that power, though with a bad grace, as if dragged into the reluctant admission by the force of circum- stances. Withal, however, the hostile attitude of the two nations, England and Spain, was not without its influence in preserving the conquests achieved by Clark, inasmuch as it secured the alliance of the then Spanish town of St. Louis to the American cause, and inter- posed a weighty obstacle in the way of any attempt on the part of the English to retake the Illinois country or Vincennes, while St. Louis was their ally.
Instead of this being attempted, St. Louis took the offensive herself as an ally of America. On the 2nd of June, 1781, Don Eugenie Pierre, a Spanish officer, marched from St. Louis with sixty-five men against the British post of St. Joseph. The place was taken, and with overreaching ambition the commander went through the forms of taking possession of the country in the name of Spain, but retired shortly afterward to St. Louis.
By virtue of this insignificant conquest, Spain sub- sequently attempted to establish a claim to the country intervening between Lake Michigan and her own terri- tory west of the Mississippi.
At this time the population of St. Louis, according to Hutchins, was 800 white and 150 colored people, and
* Jefferson's Correspondence, Vol. I, p. 455.
235
St. Louis Attacked.
being a Spanish town, it was legal plunder for the Eng- lish. Accordingly, an expedition was set on foot against it from the British post of Michilimackinac, estimated at 1, 500 men, most of whom were Indians.
While Clark was waiting at Kaskaskia, says Stoddard in his sketches, "The commandant of Michilimackinac in 1780 assembled about 1, 500 Indians and 140 Eng- lish, and attempted the reduction of St. Louis. Dur- ing the short time they were before that town sixty of the inhabitants were killed, and thirty taken prisoners. Fortunately, Gen. Clark was on the opposite side of the Mississippi with a considerable force. On his appearance at St. Louis with a strong detachment, the Indians were amazed. They had no disposition to quarrel with any other than the Louisianans, and charged the British with deception. In fine, as the jealousy of the Indians was excited, the English trembled for their safety, and secretly abandoned their auxiliaries and made the best of their way into Canada. The Indians then retired to their homes in peace. This expedition, as appears, was not sanctioned by the English court, and the private property of the commandant was seized to pay the expenses of it, most likely because it proved unfortunate."
This account has been quoted by able historians, and is doubtless correct, except as to the assistance credited to Gen. Clark as offering to help defend the town. This was impossible, as he had left the country previous to that time, but, without doubt, the respect with which his gallant conduct had inspired the Indians of the immediate country around had its effect on the Indian force from Michilimackinac, and, besides saving St. Louis, prevented them from attacking the towns of Southern Illinois, which then were in a hostile attitude to British rule, either as French or American towns, both of which countries were at war with England.
Auguste Chouteau says that Clark rendered the town no assistance. This settles the point as to the question, for he was one of the original settlers under Laclede's grant, and must have been an eye witness. The shame- ful conduct of Leyba, the Lieutenant-Governor at the
236
Death of the Traitor Leyba.
time, was an excess of treachery seldom equaled. Previous to the attack he sent all the powder away, but fortunately a trader had eight barrels of this precious specific, which the defenders appropriated for the occasion. Not content with this dereliction, he spiked some of the cannon of the defenders; but despite these obstacles the courageous soldiers stood to their places, and beat back their numerous assailants with a courage seldom equaled. The storm of indignation which the traitor Leyba met after the battle was too much for him to live under, and he sickened and died shortly afterward, tradition says from poison admin- istered by his own hand. This account is taken from Stoddard, Hall, Martin and the Western Annals, none of which appear to have details as full as could be desired, especially as it is the only siege or battle that ever occurred at St. Louis.
While these events were transpiring in the West, the armies of England and America along the Atlantic coast were brandishing their battle-blades in each other's faces, with stubborn courage on both sides, and when fighting ceased, among other issues settled, the conquests of the West, and its consequent destiny, were not forgotten.
CHAPTER X.
Moravian Settlements on the Muskingum-Premoni- tions of the American Revolution-British Emissaries among the Indians-Forts McIntosh and Laurens Built-Desperate Attack on the Latter-The Siege Raised by Hunger-The Moravians Removed-Mary Heckwelder's Account-Horrible Slaughter of the Ex- iles-Crawford's Expedition against Sandusky-The Enemy Encountered-Crawford Taken Prisoner-His Awful Death by Fire-Peace-Complex Diplomacy at the Treaty of Paris-Firmness of Jay Triumphant.
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