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 6
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A camp was formed on a small elevation on the bank of the river, and without waiting to discuss plans for crossing the river, Clark ordered the men to construct a vessel, and pre- tended that crossing this stream would be only a piece of amusement, although inwardly he held another opinion. The vessel was finished on the evening of the fourteenth, when, freighted with a selcet company, she was sent to explore the " drowned lands " on the opposite side of the river. The men who embarked in this enterprise were privately instructed what report to make, and, if possible, to find a piece of dry land. They fortunately found about half an acre, and marked the trees from thence back to the camp, and made a very encouraging report.
On the fifteenth the work of crossing the river commenced. Fortunately the day was uuusually warm for the season. At this point the channel of the river was about thirty yards wide. A scaffold was built on the opposite shore, which was about three feet under water. The baggage was then ferried across and placed on it. The horses next swam across the river and received their loads at this scaffold. The troops
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were all ferricd across in safety, and without any important accident the little army was again on the march in water about knee deep. "By evening," says Clark, " we found our- selves encamped on a pretty height in high spirits; each party laughing at the other in consequence of something that had happened in the course of this ferrying business, as they called
HON. O. BIRD. See page 21.
it. A little antic drummer offered them great diversion by floating on his drum. All this was greatly encouraged, and they really began to think themselves superior to other men, and that neither the rivers nor the seasons could stop their progress. Their whole conversation was now concerning what they would do when they got about the enemy. They now
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began to view the main Wabash as a creek, and made no doubt but such men as they were could find a way to cross it. They wound themselves up to such a pitch that they soon took Post Vincennes, divided the spoil, and before bed time were far advanced on their route to Detroit. All this was no doubt pleasing to those of us who had more serious thoughts."
At this point Clark discovered that the whole Wabash valley was overflowed, and that the enemy could easily approach him if they discovered him, and wished to risk an action. On the sixteenth of February they marched all day through rain and water, crossed the Fur river, and spent a disagrecable night in the wet with a scarcity of provisions. On the seventeenth they continued their march, crossing several very deep runs. Reaching the Embarrass, they found the country all over- flowed, and wandered about for some time in a vain search for the Wabash. They traveled till eight o'clock in the evening in mud and water, but found no place to encamp, being com- pelled to remain in the water all night. At day-break on the eighteenth, the distressed soldiers heard the morning gun of Vincennes, and at once commenced their march. Reaching the Wabash about two o'clock, they constructed rafts for the purpose of crossing the river on a boat-stealing expedition, but labored all day and night to no purpose. On the nine- teenth they commenced to construct a canoe, in which, when finished, a second attempt was made to steal boats. This expedition soon returned, however, having discovered two large fires within a mile of the little army. On receiving this intelligence Clark immediately dispatched the canoe down the river to meet the vessel that was supposed to be on her way up with the supplies, with orders to hasten forward day and night. This was the last hope, as their provisions were entirely gone, and starvation seemed to be hovering about them. In this condition many of the men were much cast down. On the twentieth they set to work inaking more canoes, when, about noon, the sentinel on the river brought too a boat with five Frenchmen from the fort. From these persons they received the welcome assurance that they were not as yet discovered. The hardships of this day were consider-
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ably ameliorated by a feast of deer which had been killed by one of the men. On the morning of the twenty-first the work of ferrying the men across the Wabash in two canoes was commenced. Having succeeded in getting the whole army across, Clark determined to reach the town that night, and therefore ordered his men to move forward. They "plunged into the water, sometimes to the neck, for more than a league."
From this point it is desirable that Colonel Clark should tell, in his own peenliar and amusing language, the story of the last day's march, and of the siege of Vincennes. It consti- tutes a prominent chapter in the early history of Indiana, and merits ample space in this work. He writes:
"This last day's march through the water was far superior to anything the Frenchmen had any idea of. They were backward in speaking; said that the nearest land to us was a small league, called the sugar-camp, on the bank of the river. A canoe was sent off and returned without finding that we could pass. I went in her myself and sounded the water; found it deep as to my neck. I returned with a design to have the men transported on board the canoes to the sugar camp, which I knew would expend the whole day and ensuing night, as the vessels would pass slowly through the bushes. The loss of so much time to men half starved was a matter of consequence. I would have given now a great deal for a day's provision, or for one of our horses. I returned but slowly to the troops, giving myself time to think. On our arrival, all ran to hear what was the report. Every eye was fixed on me. I unfortunately spoke in a serious manner to one of the officers; the whole were alarmed without knowing what I said. I viewed their confusion for about one minute- whispered to those near me to do as I did; immediately put some water in my hand, poured on powder, blackened my face, gave the warwhoop, and marched into the water, without saying a word. The party gazed, and fell in, one after another, without saying a word, like a flock of sheep. I ordered those near me to begin a favorite song of theirs; it soon passed through the line, and the whole went on cheerfully. I now Intended to have them transported across the deepest part
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of the water; but when about waist deep, one of the men informed me that he thought he felt a path. We examined and found it so; and concluded that it kept on the highest ground, which it did; and by taking pains to follow it, we got
BAKED
See page 21.
to the sugar camp without the least difficulty, where there was about half an acre of dry ground, at least not under water, where we took up our lodging. The Frenchmen that we had
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taken on the river appeared to be uneasy at our situation They begged that they might be permitted to go in the two canoes to town in the night. They said that they would bring from their own houses provisions without a possibility of any persons knowing it; that some of our men should go with them as a surety of their good conduct; that it was impossible we could march from that place till the water fell, for the plain was too deep to march. Some of the [officers?] believed that it might be done. I would not suffer it. I never could well account for this piece of obstinacy, and give satisfactory reasons to myself or any body else, why I denied a proposition apparently so easy to execute, and of so much advantage; but something seemed to tell me that it should not be done, and it was not donc.
"The most of the weather that we had on this march, was moist and warm, for the season. This was the coldest night we had. The ice, in the morning, was from one-half to three- quarters of an inch thick, near the shores and in still water. The morning was the finest we had on our march. A little after sunrise I lectured the whole. What I said to them I forget; but it may be easily imagined by a person that could possess my affections for them at that time. I concluded by informing them that passing the plain that was then in full view, and reaching the opposite woods, would put an end to their fatigue - that in a few hours they would have a sight of their long wished-for object-and immediately stepped into the water without waiting for any reply. A huzza took place. As we generally marched through the water in a line, before the third entered, I halted and called to Major Bowman, order- ing him to fall in the rear with twenty-five men, and put to death any man who refused to march, as we wished to have no such person among us. The whole gave a cry of approbation, and on we went. This was the most trying of all the diffi- culties we had experienced. I generally kept fifteen or twenty of the strongest men next myself, and judged from my own feelings what must be that of others. Getting about the middle of the plain, the water about middeep, I found myself sensibly failing; and as there were no trees nor buslies for the
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men to support themselves by, I feared that many of the most weak would be drowned. I ordered the canves to make the land, discharge their loading, and play backward and forward with all diligence, and pick up the men; and, to encourage the party, sent some of the strongest men forward, with orders, when they got to a certain distance, to pass the word back that the water was getting shallow; and when getting near the woods to cry out 'Land!' This stratagem had its desired effect. The men, encouraged by it, exerted themselves almost beyond their abilities, the weak holding by the stronger. * * * The water never got shallower, but continued deep- ening. Getting to the woods, where the men expected land, the water was up to my shoulders; but gaining the woods was of great consequence: all the low men, and the weakly, hung to the trees, and floated on the old logs until they were taken off by the canoes. The strong and tall got ashore and built fires. Many would reach the shore, and fall with their bodies half in the water, not being able to support themselves without it.
" This was a delightful dry spot of ground, of about ten acres. We soon found that the fires answered no purpose; but that two strong men taking a weaker one by the arms was the only way to recover him-and, being a delightful day, it soon did. But fortunately, as if designed by Provi- dence, a canoe of Indian squaws and children was coming up to town, and took through part of this plain as a nigh way. It was discovered by our canoes as they were out after the men. They gave chase and took the Indian canoe, on board of which was near half a quarter of a buffalo, some corn, tallow, kettles, etc. This was a grand prize, and was invalu- able. Broth was immediately made and served out to the most weakly, with great care: most of the whole got a little; but a great many gave their part to the weakly, jocosely saying something cheering to their comrades. This little refresh- ment, and fine weather, by the afternoon, gave new life to the whole. Crossing a narrow, deep lake, in the canoes, and marching some distance, we came to a copse of timber called the Warrior's Island. We were now in full view of the fort
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and town, not a shrub between us, at about two miles dis- tance. Every man now feasted his eyes, and forgot that he had suffered anything - saying that all that had passed was owing to good policy, and nothing but what a man could bear,
PAKER CHE
Cpkaylen Brefax
See page 21.
and that a soldier had no right to think, etc. - passing from one extreme to another, which is common in such cases. It was now we had to display our abilities. The plain between us and the town was not a perfect level. The sunken grounds
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were covered with water full of ducks. We observed several men out on horseback, shooting them, within a half mile of us, and sent out as many of our active young Frenchmen to decoy and take one of these men prisoner, in such a manner as not to alarm the others, which they did. The information we got from this person was similar to that which we got from those we took on the river; except that of the British having that evening completed the wall of the fort, and that there was a good many Indians in town.
"Our situation was now truly critical -no possibility of retreating in case of defeat -and in full view of a town that had, at this time, upward of six hundred men in it, troops, inhabitants, and Indians. The crew of the galley, though not fifty men, would have been now a reinforcement of immense magnitude to our little army, (if I may so call it,) but we would not think of them. We were now in the situation that I had labored to get ourselves in. The idea of being made prisoner was foreign to almost every man, as they expected nothing but torture from the savages if they fell into their hands. Our fate was now to be determined, probably in a few hours. We knew that nothing but the most daring conduct would insure success. I knew that a number of the inhab- itants wished us well-that many were lukewarm to the interest of either-and I also learned that the grand chief, the Tobacco's son, had, but a few days before, openly declared, in council with the British, that he was a brother and friend to the Big Knives. These were favorable circumstances; and as there was but little probability of our remaining until dark undiscovered, I determined to begin the career immediately, and wrote the following placard to the inhabitants:
"' To the Inhabitants of Post Vincennes:
' GENTLEMEN: Being now within two miles of your village with my army, determined to take your fort this night, and not being willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you as are true citizens, and willing to enjoy the liberty I bring you, to remain still in your houses. And those, if any there be, that are friends to the king, will instantly repair to
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the fort and join the hair-buyer general, and fight like mez. And if any such as do not go to the fort shall be discovered afteryard, they may depend on severe punishment. On the contrary, those who are true friends to liberty may depend on being well treated; and I once more request them to keep out of the streets. For every one I find in arms on my arrival, I shall treat him as an enemy.
[Signed]
G. R. CLARK.'
" I had various ideas on the supposed results of this letter. I knew that it could do us no damage, but that it would cause the lukewarm to be decided, encourage our friends, and aston- ish our enemies. * * * We anxiously viewed this messenger until he entered the town, and in a few minutes could discover by our glasses some stir in every street that we could penetrate into, and great numbers running or riding ont into the com- mons, we supposed to view us, which was the case. But what surprised us was, that nothing had yet happened that had the appearance of the garrison being alarmed -no drum nor gun. We began to suppose that the information we got from our prisoners was false, and that the enemy already knew of us and were prepared. * * A little before sunset we moved and displayed ourselves in full view of the town-crowds gazing at us. We were plunging ourselves into certain destruction or success .. There was no midway thought of. We had but little to say to our men except inculcating an idea of the neces- sity of obedience, etc. We knew they did not want encourag- ing, and that any thing might be attempted with them that was possible for such a number-perfectly cool, under proper subordination, pleased with the prospect before them, and much attached to their officers. They all declared that they were convinced that an implicit obedience to orders was the only thing that would insure success, and hoped that no mercy would be shown the person that should violate them. Such language as this from soldiers to persons in our station must have been exceedingly agreeable. We moved on slowly in full view of the town; but, as it was a point .of some consequence to us to make ourselves appear as formidable, we, in leaving
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the covert that we were in, marched and countermarched in such a manner that we appeared numerous. In raising volun- teers in the Illinois, every person that set about the business had a set of colors given him, which they brought with then to the amount of ten or twelve pairs. These were displayed to the best advantage; and as the low plain we marched
MRS. LAURA SUTTENFIELD. See page 21
through was not a perfect level, but had frequent raisings in it seven or eight feet higher than the common level, (which was covered with water,) and as these raisings generally run in an oblique direction to the town, we took the advantage of one of them, marching through the water under it, which
.
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completely prevented our being numbered. But our colors showed considerably above the heights, as they were fixed on long poles procured for the purpose, and at a distance made no despicable appearance; and as our young Frenchmen had, while we lay on the Warrior's Island, decoyed and taken several fowlers, with their horses, officers were mounted on these horses, and rode about more completely to deceive the enemy. In this manner we moved and directed our march in such a way as to suffer it to be dark before we had advanced more than halfway to the town. We then suddenly altered our direction, and crossed ponds where they could not have sus- pected us, and about eight o'clock gained the heights back of the town. As there was yet no hostile appearance, we were impatient to have the cause unriddled. Lieutenant Bayley was ordered, with fourteen men, to march and fire on the fort. The main body moved in a different direction, and took pos- session of the strongest part of the town.
"The firing now commenced on the fort, but they did not believe it was an enemy until one of their men was shot down through a port, as drunken Indians frequently saluted the fort after night. The drums now sounded, and the business fairly commenced on both sides. Reinforcements were sent to the attack of the garrison while other arrangements were making in town. * * We now found that the garrison had known nothing of us; that, having finished the fort that evening, they had amused themselves at different games, and had just retired before my letter arrived, as it was near roll-call. The placard being made public, many of the inhabitants were afraid to show themselves out of the houses for fear of giving offense, and not one dare give information. Our friends flew to the commons and other convenient places to view the pieasing sight. This was observed from the garrison, and the reason asked, but a satisfactory excuse was given; and as a part of the town lay between our line of march and the garrison, we could not be seen by the sentinels on the walls. Captain W. Shannon and another being some time before taken prisoners by one of their [scouting parties,] and that evening brought in, the party had discovered at the sugar camp some signs of us.
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They supposed it to be a party of observation that intended to land on the height some distance below the town. Captain Lamotte was sent to intercept them. It was at him the people said they were looking when they were asked the reason of their unusual stir. Several suspected persons had been taken to the garrison; among them was Mr. Moses Henry. Mrs. Henry went, under the pretense of carrying him provisions, and whispered him the news and what she had seen. Mr. Henry conveyed it to the rest of his fellow-prisoners, which gave them much pleasure, particularly Captain Helm, who amused himself very much during the siege, and I believe did much damage.
" Ammunition was scarce with us, as the most of our stores had been put on board of the galley. Thongh her crew was but few, such a reinforcement to us, at this time, would have been invaluable in many instances. But, fortunately, at the time of its being reported that the whole of the goods in the town were to be taken for the king's use, (for which the owners were to receive bills,) Colonel Legras, Major Bosseron, and others, had buried the greatest part of their powder and ball. This was immediately produced, and we found ourselves well supplied by those gentlemen.
" The Tobacco's son being in town with a number of war- riors, immediately mustered them, and let us know that he wished to join us, saying that by the morning he would have a hundred men. IIe received for answer that we thanked him for his friendly disposition, and as we were sufficiently strong ourselves, we wished him to desist, and that we would counsel on the subject on the morning; and as we knew that there were a number of Indians in and near the town that were our enemies, some confusion might happen if onr men should mix in the dark; but hoped that we might be favored with his counsel and company during the night -which was agreeable to him.
"The garrison was soon completely surrounded, and the firing continued without intermission, (except about fifteen minutes a little before day,) until about nine o'clock the fol- owing morning. It was kept up by the whole of the troops-
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ยท
joined by a few of the young men of the town, who got per- mission -except fifty men kept as a reserve. * * * I had made myself fully acquainted with the situation of the fort and town, and the parts relative to each. The cannon of the gar- rison was on the upper floors of strong blockhouses at each angle of the fort, eleven feet above the surface; and the ports
JAKER-CO.CH
HON. F. P. RANDALL. See page 21.
so badly cut that many of our troops lay under the fire of them within twenty or thirty yards of the walls. They did no damage except to the buildings of the town, some of which they much shattered; and their musketry in the dark, em- ployed against woodsmen covered by louses, palings, ditches,
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the banks of the river, etc., was but of little avail, and did no injury to us except wounding a man or two. As we could not afford to lose men, great care was taken to preserve them suffi- ciently covered, and to keep up a hot fire in order to intimi- date the enemy as well as to destroy them. The embrasures of their cannon were frequently shut, for our riffemen, finding the true direction of them, would pour in such volleys when they were opened that the men could not stand to the guns - seven or eight of them in a short time got cut down. Our troops would frequently abuse the enemy in order to aggravate them to open their ports and fire their cannon, that they might have the pleasure of cutting them down with their rifles -fifty of which, perhaps, would be leveled the moment the port flew open; and I believe. that if they had stood at their artillery, the greater part of them would have been destroyed in the course of the night, as the greater part of our men lay within thirty yards of the walls; and in a few hours were covered equally to those within the walls, and much more
experienced in that mode of fighting. * * Sometimes an irregular fire, as hot as possible, was kept up from different directions for a few minutes, and then only a continual scatter- ing fire at the ports as usual; and a great noise and laughter immediately commenced in different parts of the town by tlie reserved parties, as if they had only fired on the fort a few minutes for amusement, and as if those continually firing at the fort were only regularly relieved. Conduct similar to this kept the garrison constantly alarmed. They did not know what moment they might be stormed or [blown up?] as they could plainly discover that we had flung up some entrench- ments across the streets, and appeared to be frequently very busy under the bank of the river, which was within thirty feet of the walls. The situation of the magazine we knew well. Captain Bowman began some works in order to blow it up, in case our artillery should arrive; but as we knew that we were daily liable to be overpowered by the numerous bands of Indi- ans on the river, in case they had again joined the enemy, (the certainty of which we were unacquainted with,) we resolved to lose no time, but to get the fort in our possession as soon as 7
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possible. If the vessel did not arrive before the ensuing night we resolved to undermine the fort, and fixed on the spot and plan of executing this work, which we intended to commence the next day.
" The Indians of different tribes that were inimical, had left the town and neighborhood. Captain Lamotte continued to hover about it, in order, if possible, to make his way good into the fort. Parties attempted in vain to surprise him. A few of his party were taken, one of which was Maisonville, a famous Indian partisan. Two lads that captured him, tied him to a post in the street, and fought from behind him as a breastwork-supposing that the enemy would not fire at them for fear of killing him, as he would alarm them by his voice. The lads were ordered, by an officer who discovered them at their amusement, to untie their prisoner and take him off to the guard, which they did; but were so inhuman as to take part of his scalp on the way. There happened to him no other damage. As ahinost the whole of the persons who were most active in the department of Detroit were either in the fort or with Captain Lamotte, I got extremely uneasy for fear that he would not fall into our power-knowing that he would go off if he could not get into the fort in the course of the night. Finding that, without some unforeseen accident, the fort must inevitably be ours, and that a reinforcement of twenty men, although considerable to them, would not be of great moment to us in the present situation of affairs, and knowing that we had weakened them by killing or wounding many of their gunners, after some deliberation, we concluded to risk the reinforcement in preference of his going again among the Indians; the garrison had at least a month's provisions, and if they could hold out, in the course of that time he might do us much damage. A little before day the troops were with- drawn from their position about the fort, except a few parties of observation, and the firing totally ceased. Orders were given, in case of Lamotte's approach, not to alarm or fire on him without a certainty of killing or taking the whole. In less than a quarter of an hour he passed within ten feet of an officer and a party that lay concealed. Ladders were flung
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