USA > Kentucky > A history of the commonwealth of Kentucky > Part 9
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. There is an anecdote respecting Captain Leonard Helm, evincing an intrepidity which would ill be omitted: it has been communicated to the author, through the friendly interest of Judge Underwood, and his venerable relative, Edmund Rogers, Esq., of. Barren county, & brother of Captain John Rogers, and personally intimate with Clark and kus officers for
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Owing to the advanced stage of the season, he had postponed his operations against Kaskaskia, and in order to keep his rest- less auxiliaries employed, whom he had brought with him to the number of about four hundred, he had detached some against the settlements of Kentucky, and others to watch the Ohio river. In the spring, he contemplated re-assembling his forces for a grand campaign, which should first be directed against Kaskaskia.
At this point, "which he had no doubt of carrying, he was to be joined by two hundred Indians from Michillimakinack, and five hundred Cherokees, Chickasaws and other tribes." With this force united to his own, Governor Hamilton had or- ders from the commander-in-chief in Canada, "to penetrate up the Ohio to Fort Pitt, sweeping Kentucky on his way and taking light brass cannon for the purpose. So flushed was the British commander with the hopes of conquest, that he made no doubt, he could force all West Augusta, (meaning the western part of Virginia adjoining the Blue Ridge .* ") The same respected gentlemanf informed him, that Governor Hamilton had not more than eighty men in garrison, three pieces of cannon, and some swivels mounted. With the promptitude inspired by his emi- nent genius for war, our daring commander determined, like his most appropriate original, the great Hannibal, to carry the war into the enemy's country-as Clark said, "I knew if I did not take him, he would take me." He immediately fitted up a large Mississippi boat as a galley, mounting two four pounders and four swivels, (obtained from the cnemny's fort at Kaskaskia,) which he placed under the command of Captain John Rogers.
years. It is as follows when Governor Hamilton entered Vincennes, there were bnt tivo Americans there, Captain Helm, the commandant, and one Henty. The latter had a can. non well charged, and placed in the open fort ente, while fl ha toon by it with a lighted match in his hand. When Hanation and the troops gut within good halling distance, the American officer in a loud voir :. criei ont. "Dalt."" Thus stopped the movement of Ham uton; who, in reply. demandent a surrender of the garrison. Han exclaimed with an cath. "No man shall enty runt! ! know the terms," Hamilton answer : d. "You shall have the honors of war" and then the fort was surrendered with its garrison of one officer and one private. Such as a sterben of the character of Colonel thanks followers. They were the very choice of Virginia, and the western frontier. Dangers they scarcely coun ted, and difficulties presented themselves but to be overcome.
+ Jefferson's Correspondence. vol. I. page 457.
t It is grateful to the mind, to record the essential services of Colonel Vimo, who, at the advanced age of eighty six. still takes so much interest in ancient transactions, as at the instance of the author, to institute inquiries into them, among his compatriots.
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and a company of forty-six men. This party had orders to force their way up the Wabash if possible, to station itself a few miles below the mouth of White river, suffer nothing to pass, and wait for further orders.
This expedition being determined on, the French inhabitants of Cahokia and Kaskaskia, raised two companies of men; those of the former place were commanded by Captain McCarty, and those of the other by Captain Francois Charleville. These, added to the Americans, made a party of but one hundred and seventy men in the aggregate: on the 7th of February, 1779, this forlorn hope commenced its march for St. Vincents, over the drowned lands of the Wabash, in a wet, though fortunately, not a cold season. This dreary and fatiguing march was alleviated by the politic management of Clark, who, to divert his men, en- couraged parties of hunting and invitations from the companies successively to feasts on game, and war dances of a night, in the manner of the Indians. In this way the party, after incredi- ble fatigues, reached the Little Wabash on the 13th; these dif- ficulties were, however, nothing to those they still had to en- counter. At this point, the forks of the stream are three miles apart, and the opposite heights of land five miles in the ordi- nary state of the water; at the time of Clark's arrival, the interval was covered with water, generally "three feet deep, never under two, and frequently over four."* On the 18th, the expedition got so near St. Vincents, as to hear the morning and evening guns at the fort: and in the evening of the same day, reached within nine miles of the town, below the mouth of the Embarras river. Great difficulties were now experienced in getting canoes, in which to cross the river, and the men re- quired all Clark's address and command to keep their spirits from failing. Still there was no sight of their galley, and canoes could not be built in time to save the party from starving in the destitute condition in which they were. On the 20th, the water guard brought a boat to, from which the most cheering intelli- gence was obtained, of the disposition of the inhabitants of St.
. In the midst of this wading, rather than marching, a little drummer, who floated along on his drum head, afforded much of the merriment that heiped to divert the minds of the weu from their bardship .- Journal of the march by Major Bowman.
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Vincents, and the continued ignorance on the part of the ene- my, of our movement. There was yet a large sheet of water to cross, which proved on sounding to be up to the armpits; on the report being made, and Clark speaking seriously to an off- cer, the whole detachment caught the alarm, and despair seemed ready to possess them. Colonel Clark observing the depression on the faces of his men, whispered to one or two officers near him to imitate him immediately, in what he was going to do; he then took a little powder in his hand, and mix- ing it with some water, blacked his face with it, raised an In- dian war whoop, and marched into the water, imitated and followed by all his men without a murmur. So much does the conduct of men in large bodies, depend upon the address and tone of a commander; this trick of backwoods' invention, com- municated a new impulse to the party, and they stepped into the water with the cheerfulness, which many troops under their sufferings, would not have shewn on land. A favorite song was now raised, and the whole detachment sung in chorus: when they had got to the deepest part. where it was intended to transport the troops in two canoes, which they had obtained; one of the men said he felt a path, (which is said to be quite perceptible to the touch of naked feet,) and it being concluded this must pass over the highest ground, the march was con- tinued to a place called the Sugar Camp, where they found about half an acre of ground not under water. From this spot, another wide plain of water was to be crossed, and what height- ened the difficulty was, the absence of all timber to afford its support to the famishing and fatigued party in their wading. The object of all their toils and sufferings was now in sight, and after a spirited address. Clark again led the way into the water. still full middle deep. Before the third man stepped off, Clark ordered Captain Bowman to fall back with twenty-five men, and put any man to death, who refused to march, for no coward should disgrace this company of brave men. The order was received with a huzza, and they all pursued their fearless com- mander; some times they were checred with a purposed decep- tion by the cry of the advance guard, that the water was grow-
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ing shallower; and as they approached nearer, the favorite cry of mariners-land-land-was hallooed out. Yet, when they arrived at the woods, the water was found up to the shoulder; still the support of the trees, and the floating logs for the weaker men, were found of the most essential service. To such a de- gree of exhaustion had this march through so much, and such deep water, reduced the men, that on approaching the bank, or rather, the high ground, they would fall on their faces, leav- ing their bodies half in the water; because no longer able to continue their efforts. While resting at a spot of dry timbered ground, which the party had reached; an Indian canoe, with a quarter of buffalo beef in it, some corn and tallow, was captu- red. This was a prize of inestimable value to men in their ex- hausted condition, and it was presently cooked into broth, which refreshed the men in the most acceptable manner, small as the amount was to each individual. In a short time a prisoner was made of a gunner, who was shooting ducks near the town, and Colonel Clark sent by him a letter to the inhabitants of the post, informing them that he should take possession of. their town that night; and giving notice to all, who were friends to the king of England, to repair to the fort and fight like men; otherwise, if discovered after this notice, aiding the enemy, they would be severely punished. Seldom has frank notice been given to an enemy, and choice afforded to retire to his friends: it was resorted to in hopes that its imposing character would add to the confidence of our friends; and increase the dismay of our enemies. So much did it operate in this way, that the expedition was believed to be from Kentucky; it was thought utterly impossible, that in the condition of the waters it could be from Illinois. This idea was confirmed by several messages under the assumed name of gentlemen known to have been in Kentucky, to their acquaintances in St. Vincents; nor would the presence of Clark be credited, until his person was pointed out by one who knew him.
To mask the weakness of the force, the soldiers had their in- structions to frame their conversation before strangers, so as to lead them to believe, there were at least a thousand men. One
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circumstance occasioned much surprise in the American party; that although a great deal of bustle could be perceived in all the streets of the town, not a drum was heard, nor a gun was fired from the fort; in fact, as was afterwards learned, even the friends of the British were afraid to give the garrison notice of - Clark's presence. About sunset on the 23d of February, the American detachment set off' to take possession of the town, marching and countermarching round some elevations in the plains; and displaying several sets of colors, which had been brought by the French volunteers, so as to enhance the appear- ance of their numbers; then taking their course through some ponds that were breast high, they encamped on the heights back of the town. Still there was no hostile demonstration on the part of the British, and there was the utmost impatience with the Americans to unriddle the mystery. For this pur- pose, Lieut. Bayley was sent with fourteen men to commence the attack upon the fort; but the fire of this party was attribu- ted to some drunken Indians, who frequently saluted the fort in this manner, until a man was shot down through a port hole; when the engagement began in good earnest on both sides .* During the fire, when the American ammunition had become very low, owing to a reliance upon the stores in the galley; a very fortunate disclosure of powder and balls, which had been buried to keep it out of the hands of the British was made by the owners, Colonel Legrass, Major Busseron, and others. The Tobacco's son formerly mentioned, now made his appearance. and offered his services with a hundred warriors; the offer was, however, declined, though his presence and counsel was de-
* "There is an amusing anerdote connected with the siege, illustrative of the frank and fearless spirit of the times; that while Helm was a prisoner, and playing at piquet with Governor Harailton in the fort, one of Clark's men requested have of his commander to shoot at lelin's quarters, so soon as they were discovered, to knock down the clay or the mortar into his apple toddy; which he was sure the Captain, from his well known fond. ness for that fine liquor, would have on his hearth. It is added, that when the Captain heard the bullets rattling about the clumney, he jumped up and swore it was Clark, and he would make them all prisoners; though the d ---- a rascals bad ro business to spoil Ins toddy." Louisville Directory, prze 97. It is added. that when Helm u. ide this exclama- tion about Clark, Governor Hamilton asked, "Is he a mereitul man '" It seenis an in. telligence was kept up between Helm and Clark, through the medium of Henry's wife, who lived in the town; and who had free access to her husband in the fort. Heim enu. tioned the British soldiers against looking out at the port holes; "for" said he, "Clark's men will shoot your eyes our;" if accordingly happened. that one was shot through the eye, on attempting to look out, when Helim exclaimed; "I told you to."-Letter of Ed- mund Rogers, Esy., to the authur.
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sired. The fire continued without intermission, except for about fifteen minutes before day, until nine o'clock the next morning. Our men would lie within thirty yards of the fort, and untouched, from the awkward elevation of the platforms of the garrison guns; the balls would do no damage but to the buildings of the town: while, on the other hand, no sooner was a port hole opened, or even darkened, than a dozen rifles would be directed at it, cutting down every thing in the way. By this terribly concentrated fire, the garrison became discouraged, and could not stand to their guns; in the course of the morning a fierce demand of capitulation was made by Clark, but firmly rejected by Governor Hamilton; who declared, "he would not be awed into any thing unbecoming British subjects." Our men were urgent for a storm of the fort, but Clark sternly re- pressed such rashness. In the evening, the British officer find- ing his cannon useless, and apprehensive for the result of being taken at discretion, sent a flag desiring a truce of three days. This, Colonel Clark thought too imprudent to grant; although he himself expected a reinforcement with artillery on the arri- val of his galley: he proposed in return, that the British garri- son should be surrendered at discretion, and that Governor Hamilton should, with Captain Helm, then a British prisoner, meet him at the church. In consequence of this offer the par- ties, with a Major Hay, on the British side, met each other as desired; when Clark having rejected the terms offered by Go- vernor Hamilton, the latter insisted on some offers from the former; Clark peremptorily adhered to the first that had been mentioned. Captain Helm attempting to moderate the excited feelings between the two officers, was reminded by Clark, that he was a British prisoner, and he doubted whether he could with propriety speak on the subject. The British commander then said, that Captain Helm was liberated from that moment; but Clark refused to accept his release on such terms, and said, he must return and abide by his fate. The British officer was then informed, that the tiring should begin in fifteen minutes after the beating of the drums; and the gentlemen were taking their course to their respective quarters; Governor Hamilton
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now called to Colonel Clark, and politely inquired of him, what his reasons were, for rejecting the garrison on the liberal terms which had been proposed to him. The American officer then told him with affected severity, "I know the principal Indian partisans from Detroit are in the fort, and I only want an - honorable opportunity of putting such instigators of Indian bar- barities to death. The cries of the widows and orphans made by their butcheries require such blood at my hands. So sa- cred," said Clark, "do I consider this claim upon me for pun- ishment, that I think it next to divine, and I would rather lose fifty men, than not execute a vengeance, demanded by so much innocent blood. If Governor Hamilton chooses to risk the destruction of his garrison for the sake of such miscreants, it was at his pleasure." Upon this, Major Hay exclaimed, "Pray, sir, whom do you mean by Indian partisans?" Clark keenly and promptly replied, "I consider Major Hay one of the principal ones." The change in Hay's countenance was in- stantaneous, like one on the point of execution; he turned pale and trembled to such a degree, that he could scarcely stand. Governor Hamilton blushed for his behavior in the presence of these officers; and Captain Bowman's countenance expressed as much contempt for the one, as respect and sorrow for the other. From that moment Clark's resolution relented, and he deter- mined in his own mind, to show Governor Hamilton every lenity in his power: he told him, that "they would return to their respective posts, and he would reconsider the matter, and let him know the result by a flag." Upon the British offer being submitted to the American officers, it was agreed that our terms should be moderated; they were accordingly communicated to Governor Hamilton, and immediately acceded to by him. This capitulation on the 24th of February. 1779, surrendered Fort Sackville to the Americans; the garrison was to be con- sidered as prisoners of war. On the 25th. it was taken posses- sion of by Colonel Clark, at the head of the companies of Cap- tains Williams and Witherington, while Captains Bowman and McCarty received the prisoners; the stars and stripes were again hoisted, and thirteen cannon fired to celebrate the reco-
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very of this most important strong hold upon the Indian frontier. At this surrender there were seventy-nine prisoners received, and considerable stores: on viewing the strength of the fort, Colonel Clark was astonished at its easy surrender; but on reflection was convinced, that it could have been undermined, as the fort was within thirty feet of the river bank. If even that attempt had failed, his information was so exact that on the arrival of his artillery, the first hot shot could have blown up the magazine. A few days afterwards, Captain Helm was dispatched up the Wabash after a quantity of stores, upon their way from Detroit; all of which were surprised; and stores to the amount of ten thousand pounds sterling, with forty prison- ers, were captured. On the return of this successful expedi- tion, with the British flags still flying, our galley hove in sight, and was preparing for an attack upon the little river fleet, supposing it to be the enemy; but soon the beloved en- sign of American freedom was hoisted at the mast head, to the joy and triumph of our countrymen. They were only; mortified to find their services had not been lent in the reduc- tion of the post. After this brilliant achievement, over obsta- cles which might well have deterred the most energetic of commanders, it was not for a moment looked upon as a suffi- cient effort, but on the contrary, it was only regarded as a step- ping stone to other and richer triumphs. Detroit now presented itself in full view, to our bold and indefatigable officer. "Twice has this town been in my power," he writes to Governor Jeffer- son; "had I been able to have raised only five hundred men when I first arrived in the country, or when I was at St. Vin- cents, could I have secured my prisoners, and only have had three hundred good men, I should have attempted it." Recent intelligence had informed Clark, that the British force at De- troit consisted of but eighty men, many of them invalids, and the inhabitants exceedingly well disposed towards the Ameri- can interest. Indeed Colonel Clark had determined on com- pleting his bold enterprises, by an attack upon this point, with his present forces; when receiving dispatches from Governor Henry, promising a reinforcement of another battalion, to
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1
complete the regiment, it was deemed most prudent to postpone the expedition, until such an imposing force should arrive. In the meantime Colonel Clark embarked on his galley for Kas- kaskia, leaving Captain Helm once more in the command of the town, and the superintendence of Indian affairs. By these gal- lant expeditions, Colonel Clark most richly merited the high enco- miums of Chief Justice Marshall, "that these bold and decisive measures, which, whether formed on a great or small scale, mark the military and enterprising genius of the man, who plans and executes them." The circumstantial relation of these exploits now, for the first time, submitted to the American public, may appear to some, as too wide a digression from the plan of this history. The author thinks not; for they form an integral and almost important part of Kentucky history; achieved under the auspices of our parent State, by a portion of troops drawn from this Commonwealth, when it, as well as the eastern Illinois,* formed a portion of the wide domain of Virginia. Nor does the author think a more cruel mutilation of Kentucky history could be committed, than to omit these brilliant Illinois campaigns, which contributed so materially to support the settlement of Ken- tucky, by distracting and overawing her savage foes. To the mind of the author, they present some of the most beautiful flow- ers of western history, worthy of the most assiduous care.
CHAPTER VI.
First Court of Kentucky-Ils officers-First Colonel-Siege of St. Asaphs, or Logan's Station-British Proclamations-Capture of Boone-Siege of Boonicsborough-Land Law-Its Commissioners.
It is now time to turn our attention to the more immediate affairs of Kentucky, the narration of which has been suspended, in order to present in one unbroken story, the achievements of the great western hero. It has been seen that it was owing to
+ The west side of the Upper Mississippi was called Western Illinois, under the Span- ish government, and that portion on the eastern side, was called Eastern Illinois .- Ancient Inhabitants.
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kis agency, that the executive of Virginia was induced to un- dertake the defence of Kentucky at all, and subsequently, that the legislature established it, as an integral part of that ancient Commonwealth.
Hitherto Kentucky had scarcely formed an object of legisla- tive attention to the parent state of Virginia; which was no doubt profoundly, and justly engrossed, by the soul-stirring con- cerns of that opening revolution, the results of which have told so gloriously not only for the people of the United States, but for the freedom and the happiness of the world. Still amidst these perilous and tremendous times of social commotion, the legisla- ture of Virginia having declared the State independent of Great Britain, on June 29th, 1776, in October of the same year es- tablished the county of Kentucky, as has been previously men- tioned. The limits of the new county, which had previously formed a part of Fincastle county, in Virginia, embraced "all the country lying south and westward of a line beginning on the Ohio at the mouth of Great Sandy creek, (now Big Sandy river) and running up the same, and the main or north-casterly branch thereof, to the great Laurel Ridge. or Cumberland mountain; and with that, to the line of North Carolina," or the present State of Tennessee.
"This may justly be considered an important event in the condition of the Kentucky settlers. As a part of Fincastle county, they had in fact, no part, or lot, in its police; nor could they vote at elections for representatives-receive military pro- tection, or be distinctly heard in the legislature, in consequence of their detached situation: but composing a county themselves, they, by the constitution of the State, were to be thenceforth entitled to two representatives of their own choosing. They were also entitled to have a county court of civil jurisdiction of matters in both law and iniquity-justices of the peace-mi- litia officers-sheriff-coroner, and surveyor: in fine, to be a civil, and military municipality, or corporation; with powers competent to their own government, agreeably to the general laws of the Commonwealth."*
* Marshall 1, page 47. H *
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Our first municipal court, under the authority of Virginia, went into operation in 1777, at Harrodsburg; "composed of six or eight of the most respectable men in the county for lite- rary information." These "had been commissioned by the Go- vernor of Virginia, as justices of the peace; and who could, moreover, hold monthly sessions for the dispatch of ordinary business. The names of John Todd, John Floyd, Benjamin Logan, John Bowman, and Richard Calloway, are recollected by Mr. Humphrey Marshall. Levi Todd was appointed the first clerk of Kentucky, in its chrysalis condition of a county. The requisite officers for a regiment of militia were also com- missioned; of which John Bowman was Colonel, being the first Colonel of Kentucky county .* He promptly placed the citizens, whether permanent residents, or not, in companies and battal- ions. Thus was organized this infant colony of Virginia, under the command of a county Lieutenant with the rank of Colonel; no imperfect type of their British ancestors, who had migrated to Jamestown, and had founded the parent Commonwealth. Let us for a moment consider the situation of our pioneers at this period of their history. They were posted in the heart of the most favorite hunting ground of numerous and hostile tribes of Indians, on the north and on the south; a ground en- deared to these tribes by its profusion of the finest game, subsisting on the luxuriant vegetation of this great natural park; in a fatness, not surpassed by the flocks and herds of agricul- tural society. It was, emphatically the Elen of the Red man. Was it then wonderful, that all his fiercest passions. and wildest energies, should be aroused in its defence against an enemy; whose success was the Indian's downfall? So formidable were these enemies, into whose mouth our handful of hunters had thrown themselves, that they occupied the present territory of Tennessee, and the whole north-western side of the Ohio river; now embracing the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the territory of Michigan. These territories were then the strong- hold of the most ferocious and war-like tribes of Indians on this continent. They had frequently wasted the frontiers of the-
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