USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > Historical sketches of Old Vincennes, founded in 1732 : its institutions and churches, embracing collateral incidents and biographical sketches of many persons and events connected therewith > Part 3
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The presumption is that the British commander felt so secure in his quarters during the very severe winter, then at its worst, and so sure that no successful campaign could be waged against him by Clark's little army at that time of flood and ice, he could afford to wait until spring before
Ilist. Knox County, p. 43.
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entering upon his campaign against Kaskaskia. The result then, in his estimation, being an inevitable success, as he could be reinforced by that time with several hundred Indian warriors. As pride and over-confidence often go before their fall, this fateful and imagined security proved disastrous to him and his army ere the flowers began to bloom and the birds began to sing to cheer his army on in their anticipated triumphant spring campaign.
Colonel Clark's indomitable will, forceful mind and resourceful ingenuity to meet emergencies was put to the severest test in devising ways and means to thwart the schemes of his more powerful adversary and gain success himself. Great commanders are not made, but born so. What would have appeared insurmountable obstacles to some men, to him were not beyond attainment. So with firm resolve, stout heart and optimistic mind, he com- menced evolving a scheme, the beginning of which would be to learn, authoritatively, from Vincennes what he would have to encounter to have his efforts crowned with victory. In order to accomplish this, he says, in a letter to his friend, Mr. George Mason: "I sent off a horseman to St. Vincent to take a prisoner, if possible, by which we might get information, but found it impossible on account of high water; but, in the height of our anxiety, on the evening of the 29th of January (1779) Mr. Francis Vigo, a Spanish merchant, arrived from St. Vincent, who was there at the time it was taken by Hamilton, and he gave me every intelligence I wished." The name of this good friend of the American cause should ever be held in grate- ful remembrance for his patriotism and generous deeds in advancing to Colonel Clark funds and helping to keep the
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colonial serip at par. He was rich and spent his fortune to advance and maintain American credit and supremacy. The name of Colonel Francis Vigo is well worthy to be embalmed in the memory of the citizens of Vincennes with the heroes, General George Rogers Clark and M. Pierre Gibault.
IIe said: "The Governor's party consisted of about 800 men when he took possession of the post, on the 17th of December last. Finding the season too far spent for his intention against Kaskaskia, he had sent nearly the whole of the Indians out to different parts to war, but to embody as soon as the weather would permit, and he could complete the design."" Having the information he desired, Colonel Clark quickly proceeded to organize as large a force as possible, drawing from several adjacent recruiting stations. His plan was to send a portion of his force by boat, with provisions and war equipments and artillery taken from the fortifications at Kaskaskia, down the Mis- sissippi river to the Ohio, and thence up the Ohio to the Wabash, up the latter river to within nine miles of Post St. Vincent, where a junction was to be made with the land forces under his command, as he would go directly across the country to that point. On the 3rd of February, 1779, Colonel Clark wrote to the Governor of Virginia, explaining his situation and lack of reinforcements prom- ised, being sensible of his peril without them, which, at that time, he hardly had a right to expect, and added: "I shall be obliged to give the country to Hamilton without a turn of fortune in my favor. I am resolved to take advantage of his present situation and risk the whole on
* Colonel Vigo's report to Colonel Clark.
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a single battle. I shall set out in a few days with all the force I can raise of my own troops, and the few militia that I can depend upon, amounting to only one hundred and seventy men, some of which go on board the small galley. *
* * I shall march across the land myself with the rest of the boys. The principal persons that fol- low me on this forlorn hope are Captain Joseph Bowman, John Williams, Edward Worthington, Richard McCarty and Francis Charleville, Lieutenant Brashear, Abraham Keller, Abraham Chaplin, John Bailey and several other brave subalterns. * * I know the cause is desper- * ate, but, sir, we must either quit the country or attack Hamilton. No time is to be lost. Were I sure of rein- forcements, I would not attempt it now. Who knows what fortune will do for us? Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted. Perhaps we may be fortu- nate. We have this consolation, that our cause is just, and that our country will be grateful and not condemn our conduet in case we fall through; if so, this country, as well as Kentucky, I believe, is lost."*
Hoping almost without the least foundation for a hope to rest upon, knowing that Hamilton's force exceeded his by four to one, and that the enemy would be behind de- fenses well equipped, Colonel Clark, with his little, but heroic band, set out for Post St. Vincent, February 5, 1779, saying he would "conquer or die." In his letter to a friend and patron, George Mason, of Virginia, he wrote: "I had a large boat prepared and rigged, mounting ten four-pounders and four large swivels, manned with a fine company of forty-five men, commanded by Lieutenant
* Colonel Clark's letter to the Governor of Virginia.
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Rogers. She set out the evening of the 4th of February, with orders to force her way, if possible, within ten miles of Post St. Vincent and lay until further orders. * * * I got everything complete and on the 5th, at 3 o'clock p. m., marched, being joined by the volunteer companies of the principal young men of Illinois, commanded by Cap- tain Charleville and Captain McCarty. Those of the troop were Captain Joseph Bowman and Edward Worthington, of the Light Horse."
The little army's travels and doings, from Kaskaskia to the near approach to Vincennes, will be given from Cap- tain Bowman's diary, as they were clearly recorded in his journal, in preference to that taken from the letters of Colonel Clark in his memoirs, because the latter were written several years after these events occurred, when his recollection might have been faulty. He says: "Having crossed the Kaskaskia river on the 5th of February, 1779, the first day's journey was about three miles through mnd and water." For some days following they found the conditions to be of a similar character and made slow progress.
*"On February 10th crossed the River Petit Fork upon trees that were felled for that purpose, the water being so high there was no fording it. Still raining and no tents.
"On the 11th, crossed Saline river.
"12th of March crossed Cat Plains and killed numbers of buffalo; the road very bad and immense quantities of rain had fallen. The men much fatigued; camped on the edge of the wood. The plain is meadow, being fifteen or more miles across. It was late in the night before the
Colonel Clark's letter to the Governor of Virginia.
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baggage and troops got together. Now within twenty-one miles of St. Vincent.
"13th-Arrived at the two Wabashes. Although a league asunder, they now made but one. We set to mak- ing a canoe.
"14th-Finished the canoe, and put her into the river about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
"15th-Ferried across the two Wabashes, it being then five miles in water to the opposite hill, where we camped. Still raining. Orders not to fire any guns for the future, except in cases of necessity.
"16th-Marched all day through rain and water. Crossed Fox river. Our provisions began to be short.
"17th-Marched early, crossed several rivers very deep. Sent Mr. Kennedy, our commissary, with three men to cross the River Embarrass, if possible, and proceed to a plantation opposite Post Vincent in order to steal boats or canoes to ferry us across the Wabash. About an hour by sun we got near the River Embarrass. Found the country overflowed with water. We strove to find the Wabash. Traveled until 8 o'clock in mud and water, but could find no place to camp on. Still kept raining on, but after some time Mr. Kennedy and his party returned. Found it im- possible to cross the Embarrass river. We found the water falling from a small spot of ground; stayed there the re- mainder of the night. Drizzling and dark weather.
"18th-At break of day heard Governor Hamilton's morning gun. Set off and marched down the river. * * About 2 o'clock came to the bank of the Wa- bash ; made rafts for four men to cross and go up to town and steal boats, but they spent the day and night in the
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water to no purpose, for there was not one foot of dry land to be found.
"19th-Captain McCarty's company set to making a canoe, and at 3 o'clock four men returned after spending the night on some old logs in the water. The canoe fin- ished, Captain McCarty, with three of his men, embarked in the canoe and made the third attempt to steal boats, but soon returned, having discovered four large fires about a league distant from the camp, which seemed to him to be the fires of whites and Indians. Colonel Clark sent two men in the canoe down to meet the batean, with orders to come on day and night, that being the last hope, and we starving. Many of the men much cast down, par- ticularly the volunteers. No provisions of any sort now two days. Hard fortune.
"20th-Camp very quiet, but hungry; some almost in despair. Many of the Creole volunteers talking of return- ing. Fell to making more canoes, when about 12 o'clock our sentries on the river brought to a boat with five Frenchmen from the Post, who told us that we were not as yet discovered; that the inhabitants were well disposed towards us, etc. Said Captain Willing's brother, who was taken in the fort, had made his escape, and that one Mason- ville, with a party of Indians, was then seven days out in pursuit of him, with much more news to our favor, such as repairs done on fort, the strength, etc. They informed us of two canoes they had seen adrift some distance above us. Ordered that Captain Worthington with a party go in search of them. Returned late with one only. One of our men killed a deer, which was brought into camp.
"21st-At break of day began to ferry our men over in canoes to a small hill, called 'Mammelle' (a prominence, a
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knoll or small hill rising above the water, called so by the French, which is likened unto the mamma or breast rising above the surface of the chest. This is nearly opposite the town of St. Francisville, Illinois.) Captain Williams. with two men, went to look for a passage and were discoy- ered by two men in a canoe, but could not fetch them to. The whole army being over, we thought to get to town that night, so we plunged into the water, sometimes to the neck, for more than one league, when we stopped on the next hill (at or near St. Rose Catholic Church grounds) of the same name (Mammelle), there being no dry land on any side for many leagues. Our pilots say we can not get along-that it is impossible. Rain all this day. No pro- visions.
"22d -- Colonel Clark encourages his men, which gave them great spirits. Marched on in the water. Those that were very weak and famished from so much fatigue and hunger went in the canoes. We came one league further to some Sugar camps (situated about four miles below town, to the right, going south of Cathlionette road), where we stayed all night. Heard the evening and morn- ing guns of the fort. No provisions yet. Lord, help us.
"23d-Set off to cross the plain, called Horseshoe Plain, about four miles long and covered with water breast high. Here we expected some of our brave men must certainly perish, having frozen in the night, and so long fasting. Having no other recourse but wading over this plain, or rather lake of water, we plunged into it with courage, Colonel Clark, being the first, taking care to have the boat try to take those that were weak and numb with cold into them. Never were men so animated with the thought of
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avenging the wrongs done to their back settlements as this small army. About 1 o'clock we came in sight of the town. We halted on a small hill of dry land (two miles south of town, to the right of same road from town) called 'Warriors' Island,' where we took a prisoner hunting ducks, who informed us that no person suspected our com- ing at that season of the year."
Having followed Captain Bowman's account of the march of Colonel Clark's army to Warriors' Island, the writer will give the record of Colonel Clark himself from that on of the succeeding journey to the town. He says: "To our inexpressible joy we got safe on terra firma within half a league of the fort, covered by a small grove of trees, and had a full view of the wished-for spot. We had already taken some prisoners that were coming from the town. Lying in this grove some time to dry our clothes by the sun, we took another pris- oner, known to be a friend, from whom we got all the intel-
NOTE .- Warriors' Island, alluded to by Captain Bowman in his foregoing journal of the route traveled, is a piece of high ground situated a quarter of a mile southwest of the residence of Mr. - Cline, on the Cathlionette road. Mr. John R. Glass, now an elderly citizen, informs me that he lived on this farm land, from early childhood, with his grandfather, Mr. Deleria, until he was thirteen years old, and said: "The current opinion in early days was that the hill received its name from the fact that it was once occupied by some Indian warriors." It is really not an island, as the reader might infer, but high ground on the lower prairie, which appeared only as an island during an overflow of the river. The nature of the route traveled to the village exeludes " Bunker Hill," in the line of march, as some have asserted. The army could not have reached this hill, had it so desired, on account of the large deep pond and miry, swampy slough, that laid between them. During the driest time of the year such a feat would have been difficult to accomplish by starving and exhausted troops. Besides, the route by the way of the hill would have been longer and out of the direct line of march, and, if it could have been gained, another ravine and slough would have intervened between them and the next hill, which would have been difficult to reach on account of the high stage of waters then existing. The army took the only practicable route, although it was covered with water that was in many places, the narrator says, " waist high."
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ligence wished for; but would not suffer him to see our troops, except a few. * % * I resolved to appear as daring as possible, that the enemy might conceive, by our behavior, that we were very numerous, and probably dis- courage them. I immediately wrote to the inhabitants in general, informing them where I was, and what I deter- mined to do, desiring the friends to the States to keep close to their houses, and those in the British interest to repair to the fort and fight for their King; otherwise there would be no mercy shown them, etc. Sending the compliments of several officers that were known to be expected to reinforce me, to several gentlemen of the town, I dispatched the person off with this letter, waiting until nearly sunset, giving him time to get near the town before we marched. As it was an open plain from the wood that covered us, I marched in time to be seen from the town before dark, but taking advantage of the land, disposed the lines in such a manner that nothing but the pavillions (flags that the ladies of Kaskaskia had given him) could be seen, having as many of them as would be sufficient for one thousand men, which was observed by the inhabitants, who had just received my letter, and who counted the different colors, and judged our numbers accordingly. But I was careful to give them no oppor- tunity of seeing our troops before dark, which it would be before we could arrive at the village. The houses obstructed the fort's observing us. and no alarm was evinced, as I expected, by the inhabitants. In order to give them time to publish the letter we laid still till sun- down, when we began our march, all in order, with colors fiying, and drums braced. AAfter wading to the edge
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of the water, breast high, we mounted the rising ground the town is built on. (This ground is now occupied by the Catholic cemetery and O'Donnell's field.)
"About 8 o'clock Lieutenant Bailey, with about fourteen men, were dispatched to fire on the fort while we took possession of the town, and ordered to stay until he was relieved by another party, which was done.
"We were informed that Captain Lamont, with a party of twenty-five men, were out on a scout, who, hearing our firing, came back." Early in the night the Indian chief, Tobacco, friendly to the Americans, approached Colonel Clark and told him he could muster twenty-five braves, and requested that he might lead them, saying that "they would climb the fort." Clark thanked him and said: "Tell them to go to their houses; they might be mistaken for foes." He acquiesced, says a narrator, in this decision, but stayed with Clark, at the latter's request, during the remainder of the night, well pleased, and gave him much valuable information.
"At the first fire the various troops took positions. Charleville took a position among the houses on the south side of the fort; Bowman and his company at the foot of Busseron street, on the river bank; while Lieutenant Bailey opened fire on the front and flank of the fortress." So complacent was Hamilton in the belief that Clark would not dare so rash an attempt as to attack the fort, and so well had the secret of his approach been kept, of an invading force by the citizens, that it was only after a Brit- ish soldier had been shot down at a port hole he realized that the Americans confronted him in battle array.
"The firing continued all night, the cannon of the fort shattering houses, but almost useless against the riflemen,
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protected by the houses and picket fences. The embraz- ures for the cannon had to be frequently shut, for the flash of the guns but invited the sure aim of fifty besiegers. Two American troopers were wounded in this night attack, while the English lost three killed and four wounded. Major Bowman commenced to entrench on Main street, preparatory for the use of the cannon, expected hourly by the bateau, with which he expected to blow up the fort's magazine." Early in the morning Cap- tain Lamont's force, which had returned the night before, were hovering around the town, seeking to enter the fort. Clark sent a detachment to intercept and capture them, but finding it fruitless, withdrew his troops a little from the garrison, in order to give them a chance to get in, which they did, much to their credit and his satisfaction, believing if they did not get in at daybreak, they would go off and join other Indians. He says: "Several of the number, however, were captured, among them a famous Indian partisan of the name of Masonville." He was cap- tured by two Indian boys, it is said, who tied and took him near the fort, and fought behind him as a breastwork, sup- posing that the British would not fire at them for fear of killing him. The news coming to Clark, he ordered them to take him to the guard house, which they did, but were so inhuman as to take a part of his scalp on the way. When the firing ceased, at daylight, the troops being nearly fam- ished and exhausted from incessant labor and long fasting, Clark, in order to give time for rest and vietualing the troops, sent a flag of truce with a letter of a bluffing kind to Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton. During this truce interval the ladies of the village busied themselves in giv- ing the famished soldiers the first full meal they had had
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for about five days. Colonel Clark's note to Lieutenant- Governor Hamilton reads: "Sir-In order to save your- selves from the impending storm that now threatens you, I order you to immediately surrender yourselves, with all your garrison, stores, etc. For, if I am obliged to storm you, you may depend on such treatment as is justly due to a murderer. Beware of destroying stores of any kind, or letters that are in your possession, or hurting one house in the town, for, by Heavens, if von do, there shall be no mercy shown you. (Signed) G. R. Clark." To which the British commander replied : "Lieutenant-Governor Ham- ilton begs leave to acquaint Colonel Clark that he and his garrison are not disposed to be awed into any action unworthy British subjects." Then the firing was renewed and continued at the end of the truce with more vigor than ever, and the men were in favor of storming the citadel. Hamilton, becoming depressed, sent that evening a flag of truce and a proposition to Colonel Clark, as follows: "Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton proposes to Colonel Clark a truce for three days, during which time he pledges that there shall be no defensive works carried on in the gar- rison, on condition that Colonel Clark shall observe, on his part, a like cessation of defensive works; that is, he wishes to confer with Colonel Clark, as soon as can be, and prom- ises that whatever may pass between them two, and another person, mutually agreed upon, to be present, shall be secret till matters be finished ; as he wishes that what- ever results of the conference may be, it may tend to the honor and credit of each party. If Colonel Clark makes a difficulty of coming into the fort, Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton will speak to him by the gate. February 24, 1779. (Signed) Henry Hamilton."
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Clark was sure that the delayed boat would arrive in three days, when he would be reinforced with men, ammu- nition, stores and artillery, and could well afford some delay on that account, vet he was so confident that he was master of the situation, he determined to press his advan- tage to the utmost, and accordingly returned the follow- ing answer:
"Colonel Clark's compliments to Lientenant-Governor Hamilton, and begs leave to inform him that he will not agree to any terms other than Mr. Hamilton surrenders himself and garrison, at discretion. If Mr. Hamilton is desirous. of a conference with Colonel Clark, he will meet him at the church with Captain Helm. (Signed) G. R. Clark."
This note had the effect to bring about a conference at the church. When they met Clark had little to say. as he considered Hamilton and his officers as murder- ers, and intended to treat them as such. The conference brought about no agreement, although Hamilton was dis- posed to surrender on conditions favorable to himself and followers. After stating the terms and Clark not agree- ing, he asked: "What more do you want?" Clark re- plied : "I want sufficient cause to put all the Indians and partisans to death, as the greater part of these villains are with you." All of Hamilton's propositions being rejected, he asked Clark if nothing would do but fighting. To which Clark replied: "I know nothing else." Clark then states that Hamilton begged him to stay until he should go to the garrison and consult with his officers.
The Kickapoo Indians, who were friendly to the Amer- icans, about this time discovered a party of Indians, whom
[4]
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Hamilton had sent out for scalps, coming over the hills back of the village, and gave the information to Clark, and a party was sent out to meet them on the commons. They conceived our troops to be a party sent by Hamilton to meet and conduct them in-an honor commonly paid them. "I was," said Clark, "highly pleased to see each of the party whooping, hallooing and striking each others' breasts, as they approached in open field, each seeming to outdo the other with the greatest signs of joy. The poor devils never discovered their mistake until too late for many of them to escape. Six of them were made prisoners, two escaped and the rest were so badly wounded, as we afterwards learned, that but one lived. I had now as fair an opportunity of making an impression on the Indians as I could have wished for-that of convincing them that Gov- ernor Hamilton could not give them that protection he had made them believe he could; and, in some measure, to incense the Indians against him for not exerting himself to save their friends; and I ordered the prisoners to be tomahawked in the face of the garrison. It had the effect I expected. Instead of making their friends inveterate against us, they upbraided the English for not trying to save their friends, and gave them to understand that they believed them liars and not warriors." A thrilling inci- dent, it is said, occurred at the execution of the captured warriors. The leader of them proved to be the son of a Frenchman named St. Croix, a member of Captain McCarty's volunteer company from Cahokia, Illinois. He was painted like an Indian, and not even his father recog- nized him while standing guard over him with a drawn sword, to see that he did not escape. At the critical
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