USA > Indiana > An illustrated history of the state of Indiana: being a full and authentic civil and political history of the state from its first exploration down to 1879 > Part 5
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The principal inhabitants of Post Vincennes replied to this official document on the fourteenth of September of the same year, stating that their possessions were held by " sacred titles," that the French settlement of that place was of "seventy years standing," and that their "land had been
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
granted by order and under the protection of his most Chris- tian Majesty." To this General Gage made answer, demand- ing the proof of their assertions, which he deseried "to be transported to the feet of His Majesty," and leaving them meanwhile in the quiet possession of their dwellings and lands.
CHAPTER II.
CLARK'S CELEBRATED EXPEDITION.
F ROM 1673 to 1778 there is but little to record in the history of Indiana. The Western settlements were for the most part neglected by the English colonists, owing to the difficulties between them and the British Government, and the few French settlers, aside from their efforts to instigate another Indian war against the English colonies, then strug- gling for independence, did but little worthy of notice. In this endeavor they succeeded so far as to give the settlers on the borders of Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York con- siderable trouble and uncasiness. Indian depredations were common occurrences, and at intervals a merciless slaughter pervaded the frontier settlements. Dunmore's expedition did much to discourage the Indians from a continuance of these outrages, but not until the celebrated expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark penetrated the Western country was the French and Indian power in Indiana completely broken.
It was in 1775 that Colonel Clark's attention was first directed to the French settlements in Indiana and Illinois, and in the following spring he visited them with a view to having them annexed to Virginia. In pursuance of this end he assembled the people at Harrodstown, Ky., and requested them to elect delegates, with power to treat with the Assembly of Virginia respecting the political affairs of the country. It was, at that time, the intention of Colonel Clark, if suitable conditions could be procured, to have the inhabitants of these Western settlements declare themselves citizens of that State, otherwise to establish an independent government. The meet- ing was held at Harrodstown on the sixth of June, 1776, and
(69)
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George Rogers Clark and Gabriel Jones elected delegates to the Assembly of Virginia, with instructions to present a peti- tion to that body, praying the Assembly to accept them as such. The papers were prepared and in a few days .they set out for Williamsburg in the hope of arriving before the As- sembly, then sitting, should rise. They proceeded on their journey as far as Bottetourt county and there learned that they were too late, for the Assembly had already adjourned. At this point they resolved to wait for the fall session. When it was convened Messrs. Clark and Jones presented their cre- dentials. The Assembly resolved that the Western delegates could not take their seats as members, but that their business should be attended to. "It was late in the session," says Clark, " before we got a complete establishment of a county by the name of Kentucky." Ile continues: "The command- ants of the different towns of the Illinois and Wabash I knew were busily engaged in exciting the Indians. Their reduction became my first object-expecting, probably, that it might open a field for further action. I sent two young hunters to those places (in the summer of 1777) as spies, with proper instructions for their conduct, to prevent suspicion. Neither did they, nor any one in Kentucky, ever know my design unti. it was ripe for excention. They returned to Harrodstown with all the information I could reasonably have expected. I found from them that they had but little expectation of a visit from us, but that things were kept in good order, the militia trained, etc., that they might, in case of a visit, be pre- pared -that the greatest pains were taken to inflame the minds of the French inhabitants against the Americans, not- withstanding they could discover traces of affection in some of the inhabitants. When I left Kentucky, October first, 1777, I plainly saw that every eye was turned toward me, as if expecting some stroke in their favor. Some doubted my return, expecting that I would join the army in Virginia. I left them with reluctance, promising them that I would cer- tainly return to their assistance, which I had predetermined. On my arrival at Williamsburg, I remained a considerable time settling the accounts of the Kentucky militia and making
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remarks of everything I saw or heard, that could lead me to the knowledge of the disposition of those in power. Bur- goyne's army having been captured, and things seeming to wear a pleasing aspect, on the tenth of December I communi- cated my design to Governor Henry. At first he seemed to be fond of it; but to detach a party at so great a distance,
ROBERT BRACKENRIDGE, ESQ. See page 21.
(although the service performed might be of great utility,) appeared daring and hazardous, as nothing but secrecy could give success to the enterprise. To lay the matter before the Assembly, then sitting, would be dangerous, as it would soon be known throughout the frontiers; and probably the first prisoner taken by the Indians would give the alarm, which would end in the certain destruction of the party. He had
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several private councils, composed of select gentlemen. After making every inquiry into my proposed plan of operations, (and particularly that of a retreat in case of misfortune, across the Mississippi into the Spanish territory,) the expedition was resolved upon; and as an encouragement to those who would engage in said service, an instrument of writing was signed, wherein those gentlemen promised to use their influence to procure from the Assembly three hundred aeres of land for each in case of success. The Governor and Council so warmly engaged in the success of this enterprise, that I had very little trouble in getting matters adjusted; and on the second day of February, 1778, received my instructions, and £1,200 for the use of the expedition, with an order on Pittsburg for boats, ammunition, etc. Finding, from the Governor's conversation in general to me, on the subject, that he did not wish an implicit attention to his instructions should prevent my exc- cuting any thing that would manifestly tend to the good of the public, on the fourth I set forward, clothed with all the authority that I wished. I advanced to Major William Smith £150 to recruit men on Holston, and to meet me in Kentucky. Captain Leonard Helm, of Fauquier, and Captain Joseph Bowman, of Frederick, were to raise each a company, and on the [first?] February arrive at Red Stone Old Fort.
" Being now in the country where all arrangements were to be made, I appointed Captain William Harrod, and many other officers, to the recruiting service; and contracted for flour and other stores that I wanted. * * I received information from Captain Helm that several gentle- men took pains to counteract his interest in recruiting, as no such service was known of by the Assembly. Consequently ho had to send to the Governor to get his conduct ratified. I found also opposition to our interest in the Pittsburg country. As the whole was divided into violent parties between the Virginians and Pennsylvanians, respecting the territory, the idea of men being raised for the State of Virginia affected the vulgar of the one party; and as my real instructions were kept concealed, and only an instrument from the Governor, written designedly for deception, was made public, wherein I
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CLARK'S CELEBRATED EXPEDITION.
was anthorized to raise men for the defense of Kentucky, many gentlemen of both parties conceived it to be injurious to the public interest to draw off men at so critical a moment for the defense of a few detached inhabitants, who had better be removed, etc. These circumstances caused some confusion in the recruiting service. On the twenty-ninth of March, I received a letter from Major Smith, by express, informing me that he had raised four companies on Holston, to be marched immediately to Kentucky, agrecably to his orders; another express from Kentucky informed me that they had gained con- siderable strength since I left that quarter."
With such forces as he could raise, Colonel Clark moved forward to the falls of the Ohio, where he disclosed his plans to his troops, at which many of them deserted him. At this point, Clark, owing to the weakness of his force, resolved to commence operations in Illinois, where the settlements were smaller, and where the Indians were less an object of terror. At this time the conquest of Vincennes was among the possi- bilities of the future. He moved toward Kaskaskia; and, " on the fourth of July," says Clark's memoir, "in the eve- ning, we got within a few miles of the town, where we lay until near dark, keeping spies ahead, after which we com- menced our march, and took possession of a house wherein a large family lived, on the bank of the Kaskaskia river, about three-quarters of a mile above the town. We were informed that the people, a few days before, were under arms, but had concluded that the cause of the alarm was without founda- tion; and that at that time there was a great number of men in town, but that the Indians had generally left it, and at pres- ent all was quiet. We soon procured a sufficiency of vessels, the more in case to convey us across the river. * * * * With one of the divisions, I marched to the fort, and ordered the other two into different quarters of the town. If I met with no resistence, at a certain signal a shout was to be given, and certain parts were to be immediately possessed; and the men of each detachment who could speak the French language, were to run through every street and proclaim what had hap- pened, and inform the inhabitants that every person who
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appeared in the streets would be shot down. This disposition had its desired effect. In a very little time we had complete possession; and every avenue was guarded, to prevent any escape, to give the alarm to the other villages in case of oppo- sition. Various orders had been issued, not worth mentioning. I don't suppose greater silence ever reigned among the inhab- itants of a place than did at this at present; not a person to be seen, not a word to be heard from them for some time; but, designedly, the greatest noise kept up by our troops through every quarter of the town, and patrols continually the whole night around it; as intercepting any information was a capital object; and in about two hours the whole of the inhabitants were disarmed, and informed that if one was taken attempting to make his escape, he should be immediately put to deatlı."
CHAPTER III.
CLARK'S EXPEDITION, CONTINUED
A FTER Colonel Clark, through bloodless means, had excited the terror of the French inhabitants of Kaskas- kia, he surprised them and won their firm confidence and lasting friendship by performing many acts of generosity unexpected by them. On the fifth of July, he caused a few of the principal men of the village to be arrested and put in irons. This occurrence caused the priest of the village, Father Gibault, and several of the principal settlers, to call upon Clark and plead for liberty to assemble peaceably in their little church, and take leave of each other. Colonel Clark calmly replied that he had nothing against their religion; that they might do as they had requested, but that they must not venture out of the town.
Accordingly the trembling Frenchmen assembled at the church, where they laid the burden of their troubles at the
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CLARK'S CAMPAIGN, CONTINUED.
tout of the cross. After a long and devout service, they returned to their dwellings. A deputation of the principal citizens again waited on the conqueror, and represented that the inhabitants could submit to the loss of their property, knowing that their situation was the fate of war, but that they desired not to be separated from their wives and children, and
JOHN HOUGH, ESQ. See page 21.
that some clothes and provisions might be allowed for their support. In reply, Colonel Clark asked the Frenchmen if they regarded the Virginians as savages. "Do you think," said he, " that Americans intend to strip women and children, or take the bread out of their months? My countrymen dis- dain to make war upon helpless innocence. It was to prevent
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the horrors of Indian butchery upon our own wives and children, that we have taken arms and penetrated into this remote stronghold of British and Indian barbarity, and not the despicable prospect of plunder." He told them that the King of France had united his powerful arms with those of America; and that the war for independence would not prob- ably long continue; that they were at liberty to take which side they pleased, without the least danger to either their property or their families. Nor would their religion be a source of disagreement, as all religions were regarded with equal respect in the eye of the American law, and that any insult offered it would be immediately punished. He concluded by telling them to go and inform their fellow-citizens that they were at liberty to conduct themselves as usual, without the least apprehension; and that their friends who were in con- finement should be released immediately.
This speech dispelled the gloom that was resting on the minds of the inhabitants, and, together with the intelligence that an alliance between France and the United States had been effected, induced them to take the oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia. So effective was the impression which Clark produced upon them, that a volunteer company of French militia joined his forces.
Having brought the settlements of Illinois under the juris- diction of Virginia, Colonel Clark next turned his attention to Vincennes. Believing that Father Gibault was inclined to the American interest, he consulted him on the subject of excluding the British power from that post. The priest at once suggested a plan of operations. The Governor of Vin- cennes, he said, had gone to Detroit on business; and the inhabitants could casily be induced to declare themselves on the side of the Americans. He offered to engage in the work of accomplishing this result. Clark was pleased with the plans; and the priest, with some attendants, immediately set out for Vincennes. IIaving arrived, they spent a day or two in explaining the nature of the war to the people.
The French inhabitants unanimously acceded to the pro- posal, and went in a body to the church, where the oath of
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CLARK'S CAMPAIGN, CONTINUED.
allegiance was administered to them in the most solemn man- ner. An officer was elected, and the fort was immediately garrisoned in defense of the American flag which was unfurled over them. Thus, for the first time, through the good offices of Colonel George Rogers Clark, the territory included within the present limits of the State of Indiana was placed under the American flag.
These events worked a great change in the little settlement of Vincennes. The Indians were alike astonished and de- lighted; and the white people put on a new face, and " began to act like freemen." With a garrison of their own, and the United States to assist and protect them, their actions toward the Indians were immediately changed. They talked as citi- zens of the United States, telling the Indians that their father, the King of France, had awakened from his long sleep, and was angry at them for fighting for the English; that they would advise them to make peace with the Americans as soon as they could; otherwise they might expect the land to be very bloody. The Indians began to think seriously, and the cause of the Americans began to prosper in the west.
As soon as the news of the peaceful conquest of Vincennes reached Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia, he appointed Captain Helm to the command of the post, and also appointed him agent for Indian affairs in the department of the Wabash. About the middle of August, 1778, Captain Helm set out from Kaskas- kia to assume charge of affairs at Vincennes. He took with him a speech and a belt of wampum from Colonel Clark, for "The Grand Door to the Wabash," or the Tobacco's Son, as the leading Piankeshaw chief was called by the Indians. He arrived safe at Vincennes, and was received with acclamations by the people. After the usual ceremony was over, he sent for the "Grand Door," and delivered to him the speech from the " Big Knife." The great chief informed the captain that he was happy to see him-one of the Big Knife's chiefs - in his town. It was here, he said, that he had joined the English against him; he confessed that they had always looked gloomy, and seemed inclined to join the Americans; but, according to the Indian custom, demanded time to con-
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
sider Clark's message, and consult his counsellors on the sub- ject. After several days, Captain Helm was invited to the council, where he was informed, by the "Grand Door," that the chief's had mutually considered his case, and had come to a proper understanding of the war between the English and
I. S. Intiman See page 21.
the Americans; they were satisfied that the Big Knife was right, and that they would tell all the Indians on the Wabash to bloody the land no more for the English. The Grand Door jumped up, struck his breast, called himself a man
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CLARK'S CAMPAIGN, CONTINUED.
and a warrior; said that he was now a Big Knife; and took Captain Helm by the hand. His example was followed by all present, and the council was concluded with merriment. In a short time, all the tribes of the Miami Confederacy came to Vincennes, and entered into an alliance with the Americans.
The British interest lost ground daily in Indiana, and in a short time the influence of the Americans reached the villages of the St. Joseph, of Lake Michigan, and other places, with good results. Governor Henry, of Virginia, was constantly informed of the progress of the American power in the west, and in October, 1778, the General Assembly of that State passed an act providing that all the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, "who are already settled, or shall hereafter set- tle, on the western side of the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county, which shall be called Illinois County; and the Governor of this Commonwealth, with the advice of the Council, may appoint a county lieutenant, or commandant-in- chief, in that county, during pleasure, who shall appoint and commission so many deputy commandants, militia officers, and commissaries, as he shall think proper, in the different districts, during pleasure; all of whom, before they enter into office, shall take the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth, and the oath of office, according to the form of their own reli- gion. All civil officers to which the inhabitants have been accustomed, necessary for the preservation of peace and the administration of justice, shall be chosen by a majority of the citizens in their respective districts, to be convened for that purpose, by the county lieutenant or commandant, or his deputy, and shall be commissioned by the said county lieu- tenant or commandant-in-chief."
But before the provisions of this law could be carried into effect over the territory of Indiana, Henry Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit, collected an army consisting of about thirty regulars, fifty French volunteers and four hundred Indians. Marching at the head of this force, he passed down the Wabash and took possession of Vin- cennes in December, 177S.
When Governor Hamilton entered Vincennes there were but
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
two Americans in the place .* They were the Commandant, Capt. Helm, and a man named Henry. The latter had a cannon well charged and placed in the open fort gate, while Helm stood by it with a lighted match in his hand. When Hamilton and his troops approached within hailing distance, the American officer, in a loud voice, cried ont, "Halt!" This stopped Hamilton's approach, and in reply he demanded the garrison to surrender. Hely exclaimed, "No man shall enter here until I know the tern.s." Hamilton answered, "You shall have the honors of war," and then the fort was surrendered, with its garrison of one ou cer and one private. No attempt was made by the population to defend the town. Capt. Helm was made a prisoner, and a number of the French inhabitants were disarmed.
CHAPTER IV.
CLARK'S CELEBRATED MARCH AGAINST VINCENNES.
W ITH the reduction of Vincennes by the British, Colonel Clark's situation in the West became perilous. Indian war parties began to assemble in the neighborhood of his forces in Illinois. To strengthen his position, he ordered Major Bowman to evacuate the fort at Cahokia and join him at Kaskaskia. "I could sec," says Clark, " but little proba- bility of keeping possession of the county, as my number of men was too small to stand a scige, and my situation too remote to call for assistance, I made all the preparation I pos- sibly could for the attack, and was necessitated to set fire to some of the houses in town to clear thein out of the way." In January, 1779, Clark received intelligence that Governor Hamilton had weakened himself at Vincennes by sending his Indians against the frontiers and to block up the Ohio; that he had not more than eighty men in garrison, three pieces of
* Butler's History of Kentucky, p. 80.
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CLARK'S CELEBRATED MARCII AGAINST VINCENNES.
cannon, and some swivels mounted; that the hostile Indians were to meet at Post Vincennes in the spring, drive the Americans out of the West, and attack the Kentucky settle- ments in a body, joined by their Southern friends; that all the goods were taken from the merchants of Vincennes for the king's use; that the troops under Hamilton were repairing the
CHAS. A. ZOLLINGER, ESQ. See page 21.
fort and expected a reinforcement from Detroit in the spring; that they expected to have plenty of all kinds of stores; that they were' strict in their discipline, but they were not under much apprehension of a visit .* From this report Colonel
* Clark's Memoir.
6
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Clark concluded that if he could reach the place undiscovered he could succeed in taking it.
Colonel Clark's was indeed a critical situation. He was, in a manner, cut off from any intercourse between himself and the United States. IIe knew that Govornor Hamilton, in the spring, by a junction of his northern and southern Indians, would be at the head of such a force that his little army would not be able to maintain possession of the country. Further than this the threatened war on the borders in the following spring could not fail to ruin Kentucky, should the enemy be permitted to make the necessary preparations in peace. In this critical situation, Colonel Clark could see but one course, which was to attack the enemy in their quarters.
HIe immediately gave orders to prepare for the enterprise. Although it was a bold venture, the inhabitants of Kaskaskis gathered about him with great enthusiasm, volunteering, donating provisions, etc. Plenty of provisions were soon provided, and every man was completely provided with all he could desire to enable him to withstand the coldest weather. It was resolved to send a vessel round by water to carry the artillery and stores. This vessel was to be armed so that she might force her way if necessary. For this purpose a large Mississippi boat was purchased and completely fitted out. Two four-pounders and four large swivels were placed in posi- tion, and forty-six men were assigned to man her under the command of Captain John Rogers. IIe embarked on the fourth of February, with orders to force his way up the Wabash as high as the mouth of White river, and there to remain in secret until further orders; but if he found himself discovered, to do the enemy all the damage he could, without running too much risk of losing his vessel, and not to leave the river until he had lost all hope of the arrival of the land forces.
Colonel Clark placed much reliance upon the aid he was to receive from this vessel. She was far superior to anything the enemy could fit out without building a vessel; and at the worst, should they be discovered, they could build a number of large pirogues to attend her, and with such a little fleet
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CLARK'S CELEBRATED MARCH AGAINST VINCENNES.
annoy the enemy considerably. Every thing being ready on the fifth of February, after his men had received a lecture and absolution from the priest, Colonel Clark crossed the Kaskaskia river with one hundred and seventy men. The weather was very wet, and a great part of the plains covered with water several inches deep. The march was exceedingly disagreeable and difficult. In the face of these obstacles, it became the object of Colonel Clark to keep his men in spirits. " I suffered them," says Clark, "to shoot game on all occasions and feast on it like Indian war-dancers - each company by turns inviting the others to their feasts, which was the case every night." Perhaps Colonel Clark stimulated his men most by setting a brave example, wading as much through the mud and water as any of them. Thus, insensibly, without a murmur, were those men led on to the banks of the Little Wabash, which they reached on the thirteenth of February, having passed through great difficulties and suffered indescrib- able hardships.
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