Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 20

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II > Part 20

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CLARK COUNTY.

order was passed on the 23d of August, 1776, for the transmission of the gul powder to Pittsburg, to be there delivered to Clark or his order, for the use of the people of Kentucky. This was the first act in that long and affectionate inter- change of good offices, which subsisted between Kentucky and her parent state for so many years ; and obvious as the reflection is, it may not be omitted, that on the successful termination of this negotiation, hung the connection between Vir- ginia and the splendid domain she afterwards acquired west of the Alleghany mountains.

At the fall session of the legislature of Virginia, Messrs. Jones and Clark laid the Kentucky memorial before that body. They were of course not admitted to seats, though late in the session they obtained, in opposition to the exertions of Colonels Henderson and Campbell, the formation of the territory which now com- prises the present state of that name, into the county of Kentucky. Our first political organization was thus obtained through the sagacity, influence and exer- tions of George Rogers Clark, who must be ranked as the earliest founder of this commonwealth. This act of the Virginia legislature first gave it form and a political existence, and entitled it under the constitution of Virginia to a repre- sentation in the assembly, as well as to a judicial and military establishment.

Having obtained these important advantages from their mission, they received the intelligence that the powder was still at Pittsburg, and they determined to take that point in their route home, and bring it with them. The country around Pittsburg swarmed with Indians, evidently hostile to the whites, who would no doubt seek to interrupt their voyage. These circumstances created a necessity for the utmost caution as well as expedition in their movements, and they accord- ingly hastily embarked on the Ohio with only seven boatmen. They were hotly pursued the whole way by Indians, but succeeded in keeping in advance until they arrived at the Three Islands, not far above the spot where the city of Mays- ville now stands. They navigated slyly around one island with their boat, and concealed their cargo at different places in the woods along its banks. They then turned their boat adrift, and directed their course to Harrodstown, intending to return with a sufficient escort to ensure the safe transportation of the powder to its destination. This in a short time was successfully effected, and the colonists were thus abundantly supplied with the means of defence against the fierce ene- mies who beset them on all sides.

The space allotted to this brief sketch, will not admit of a detailed narrative of the adventures of Major Clark after his return to Kentucky. Let it suffice to say, that he was universally looked up to by the settlers as one of the master spirits of the time, and always foremost in the fierce conflicts and desperate deeds of those wild and thrilling days.

Passing over that series of private and solitary adventures in which he em- barked after he returned from Virginia, and in which he appears to have taken a peculiar pleasure, but of which no particulars have been preserved, we shall pro- ceed at once to notice his successful expedition against the British posts of Kas- kaskia and Vincennes ; one of the most important events, if we estimate it by its consequences, immediate and remote, in the early history of the west. It was at the same time marked by incidents of romantic and thrilling interest, and a striking display of the qualities of courage, perseverance and fortitude, which bring to mind the heroic deeds of antiquity.

The war in Kentucky previous to this time had been a true border war, and conducted in the irregular and desultory manner incident to that kind of hostili- ties. Nearly all the military operations of the period resembled more the preda- tory exploits of those sturdy cattle-drovers and stark moss-troopers of the Scottish Highlands, whose valorous achievements have been immortalized by the graphic pen of the author of Waverley, than the warfare of a civilized people. Every man fought, pretty much. " on his own hook," and waged the war in a fashion to suit himself. He selected his own ground, determined upon the time, place, and manner of attack, and brought the campaign to a close whenever his own incli- nations prompted. The war indeed was sustained, and its "sinews supplied," by the adventurous spirit of private individuals. The solitary backwoodsman would sharpen his hunting knife, shoulder his rifle, and provide himself with a small quantity of parched corn as a substitute for bread, and thus equipped for service, start on an expedition into the Indian country, without beat of drum or

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note of warning. Arrived on the hostile soil, he would proceed with the caution of a panther stealing on his prey, until he reached the neighborhood of a village, when concealing himself in the surrounding thickets, he would lie in wait until an opportunity presented of shooting an Indian and stealing a horse, when he would return to the cultivation of his farm and the ordinary pursuits of his busi- ness. Even those more ambitious enterprises which occasionally diversified this personal warfare, were the result rather of the spontaneous combination of pri- vate individuals, than of any movement by the state. The perseverance and gallan- try of the backwoodsman was left to sustain itself, with little assistance from the power of Virginia, at that time engaged in the tremendous struggle of the war of Independence, which demanded all her energies and taxed all her resources. 'The State had not disposable means to act on so remote a frontier, nor does she appear to have been distinctly aware of the important diversion of the Indian force, which might be made by supporting the exertions of Kentucky. As little did she perceive the rich temptations offered to her military ambition in the Bri- tish posts in the west. Yet every Indian engaged on the frontier of Kentucky, was a foe taken from the nearer frontier of the parent state. And in those remote and neglected garrisons of Kaskaskia, Vincennes and Detroit, was to be found the source of those Indian hostilities, which staid the advancing tide of emigra- tion, and deluged the whole west in the blood of women and children.

These combined views, however, began to acquire weight with the Virginia statesmen, with the progress of the revolution, and the rapid increase of emigra- tion to Kentucky ; and they were particularly aided and enforced by the impres- sive representations of Major Clark. To his mind they had been long familiar, and his plans were already matured. He was thoroughly acquainted with the condition, relations and resources of the country, and with that instinctive genius which stamps him as the most consummate of the western commanders, he saw at a glance the policy required to develop the nascent strength and advantages of the infant settlements. At a glance, he discovered what had so long escaped the perspicacity of the Virginia statesmen, that the sources of the Indian devasta- tions were Detroit, Vincennes and Kaskaskia. It was by the arms and clothing supplied at these military stations that the merciless ferocity of these blood thirsty warriors was stimulated to the commission of those fearful ravages which " drenched the land to a mire." If they could be taken, a counter influ- ence would be established over the Indians, and the streams of human blood. which deluged the fields of Kentucky, would be dried up.

So strongly had the idea of reducing these posts taken possession of the mind and imagination of Major Clark, that in the summer of 1777, he dispatched two spies to reconnoitre and report their si.uation. On their return they brought intel- ligence of great activity on the part of the garrisons, who omitted no opportunity to promote and encourage the Indian depredations on the Kentucky frontier. They reported further, that although the British had essayed every art of misrepresen- tation, to prejudice the French inhabitants against the Virginians and Kentuck- ians, by representing these frontier people, as more shocking barbarians than the savages themselves, still there were to be seen strong traces of affection for the Americans among many of the inhabitants.

In December, 1777, Major Clark submitted to the executive of Virginia a plan for the reduction of these posts. The result was a full approbation of the scheme, and the governor and council entered into the undertaking so warmly that every preliminary arrangement was soon made. Clark received two sets of instruc- tions : one public, directing him to proceed to Kentucky for its defence ; the other secret, ordering an attack on the British post at Kaskaskia. Twelve hun- dred pounds were advanced to defray the expenses of the expedition, and orders issued to the Virginia commandant at fort Pitt, to supply Clark with ammunition, boats, and all other necessary equipments. The force destined for the expedition, consisting, after a rigid selection, of only four companies, rendezvoused at Corn Island, opposite the falls of the Ohio, and having fully completed their prepara- tions, they embarked in boats on the Ohio. Landing on an island at the mouth of the Tennessee river, they encountered a party of hunters who had recently come from Kaskaskia, and from them they obtained the most important intelli- gence relative to the state of things at that post. They reported that the garrison was commanded by one M. Rocheblave ; that the militia were kept in a high

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state of discipline ; that spies were stationed on the Mississippi river, and all In- dian hunters directed to keep a sharp look out for the Kentuckians. They stated further that the fort which commanded the town was kept in order as a place of retreat, but without a regular garrison, and the military defences were attended to as a matter of form, rather than from any belief in its necessity to guard against an attack. The hunters thought that by a sudden surprise the place might be easily captured, and they offered their services as guides, which were accepted. The boats were dropped down to a point on the Illinois shore, a little above the place where fort Massac was afterwards built, and there concealed, and the little ariny took up its line of march through the wilderness. Their commander marched at their head, sharing in all respects the condition of his men. On the evening of the 4th of July, 1778, the expedition arrived in the neighborhood of the town, where it lay until dark, when the march was continued. That night the town and fort were surprised and captured without the effusion of a drop of blood. - M. Rocheblave, the British governor, was taken in his chamber, but very few of his public papers were secured, as they were secreted or destroyed by his wife, whom the Kentuckians were too polite to molest. In the course of a few days, Clark had, by his wise and prudent policy, entirely dissipated the alarm, and gained the affections of the French inhabitants, and his conquest was thus confirmed, and the ascendency of the Virginia government firmly rooted in the feelings of the people. Having effected this most desirable revolution in the sentiments of the inhabitants, he next turned his attention to the small French village of Ca- hokia, situated about sixty miles higher up the Mississippi. He accordingly dispatched Major Bowman, with his own and part of another company, to effect the reduction of this small post, at that time a place of considerable trade, and a depot for the distribution of arms and ammunition to the Indians, a considerable body of whom were encamped in the neighborhood when the Americans ap- proached. The expedition was accompanied by several Kaskaskia gentlemen, who volunteered their services to assist in the reduction of the place. The expe- dition reached the town without being discovered. The surprise and aların of the inhabitants was great, but when the Kaskaskia gentlemen narrated what had oc- curred at their own village, the general consternation was converted into hurras for freedom and the Americans. The people took the oath of allegiance, and in a few days the utmost harmony prevailed.

The expedition thus far had met with full success, but Vincennes still remained in the possession of the British, and until it should share the fate of Kaskaskia, Clark felt that there was no safety for his new conquest. His uneasiness was great. His situation was critical. His force was too small to garrison Kaskas- kia and Cahokia, and leave himn a sufficient power to attempt the reduction of Vincennes by open assault. At length he communicated his perplexity to a Catholic priest, M. Gibault, who agreed to attempt to bring the inhabitants over whom he had pastoral charge into the views of the American commander. This, through the agency and influence of the priest, was effected with little difficulty. The inhabitants threw off their allegiance to the British, the garrison was over- powered and expelled, and the American flag displayed from the ramparts of the fort.

Having thus succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations, in his designs against the power of the British in the west, Clark next turned his attention to conciliate the various Indian tribes inhabiting this region. This great purpose, after a long and tedious series of negotiations, in which the character of the American commander unfolded itself under its most powerful aspect, was finally accomplished, the hostility of many of the tribes pacified, and their prejudices disarmed. The summary nature of this sketch will not admit of a particular ac- count of the incidents attending this great enterprise, though the narrative would be replete with interest, as it was in this wild and dangerous diplomacy that the genius of Colonel Clark displayed its most commanding attributes. Success in this politic intercourse with the untutored savage of the wilderness, depends far more on the personal qualities of the negotiator, than on the justice of the cause or the plausibility of his reasoning. The American Indian has an unbounded admiration for all those high and heroic virtues which enter into the character of the successful warrior, and the terror of Clark's name had spread far and wide. To these advantages he added that of a thorough knowledge of the Indian char

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acter. in all its peculiarities, its strength, and its weakness. He knew when to be mild and conciliating-when to be stern and uncompromising. The tact and promptitude with which he adapted his conduct to the exigency of the occasion has become proverbial. His address was wonderful-the fertility of his resources inexhaustible, and his influence among those wild and unsophisticated children of the woods grew so predominant, that they gave whate'er he asked.

Colonel Clark now began to entertain great fears for the safety of Vincennes. No intelligence had been received from that post for a long time ; but on the 29th January 1779, Colonel Vigo brought intelligence that Governor Hamilton of Detroit had marched an expedition against the place in December, and again reduced the inhabitants and the fort, and re-established the British power. The expedition had been fitted out on a large scale, with the view of recapturing Kaskaskia, and making an assault along the whole line of the Kentucky frontier. But owing to the advanced period of the season, Governor Hamilton had post- poned the further execution of this grand scheme of conquest until spring, when he contemplated reassembling his forces.

Having received this timely intelligence of the British governor's designs, Col- onel Clark with characteristic promptitude and decision, determined to anticipate him, and strike the first blow. He accordingly made immediate preparation for an expedition against Vincennes. He commenced his march through the wilder- ness with a force of one hundred and seventy five men, on the 7th of February, having previously dispatched Captain Rogers with a company of forty-six men and two four-pounders, in a boat, with orders to force their way up the Wabash, station themselves a few miles below the mouth of White river, suffer nothing to pass, and wait for further orders. For seven days the land expedition pursued its toilsome course over the drowned lands of Illinois, exposed to every privation that could exhaust the spirits of men, when it arrived at the Little Wabash. But now the worst part of the expedition was still before them. At this point the forks of the stream are three miles apart, and the opposite heights of land five miles distant even in the ordinary state of the water. When the expedition arrived, the intervening valley was covered with water three feet in depth. Through this dreadful country the expedition was compelled to make its way until the 18th, when they arrived so near Vincennes that they could hear the morning and eve- ning guns at the fort. On the evening of the same day they encamped within nine miles of the town, below the mouth of the Embarrass river. Here they were detained until the 20th, having no means of crossing the river; but on the 20th the guard brought to and captured a boat, in which the men and arms were safely transported to the other shore. There was still, however, an extensive sheet of water to be passed, which on sounding proved to be up to the arm-pits. When this discovery was made, the whole detachment began to manifest signs of alarm and despair, which Colonel Clark observing, took a little powder in his hand, mixed some water with it, and having blackened his face, raised an Indian war whoop and marched into the water. The effect of the example was electrical. and the men followed without a murmur. In this manner, and singing in chorus. the troops made their way through the water, almost constantly waist deep, until they arrived within sight of the town. The immense exertion required to effect this march may not be described. The difficulty was greatly heightened by there being no timber to afford support to the wearied soldiers, who were compelled to. force their way through the stagnant waters, with no aid but their own strength. When they reached the dry land the men were so exhausted, that many of them fell, leaving their bodies half immersed in the water. Having captured a man who was shooting ducks in the neighborhood of the town, by him Clark sent a letter to the inhabitants, informning them that he should take possession of the town that night. So much did this letter take the town by surprise, that the expedition was thought to be from Kentucky ; in the condition of the waters they did not dream that it could be from Illinois. The inhabitants could not have been more astonished if the invaders had arisen out of the earth.

On the evening of the 23d the detachment set off to take possession of the town. After marching and countermarching around the elevations on the plain, and dis- playing several sets of colors, to convey to the garrison as exaggerated an idea as possible of their numbers, they took position on the heights back of the village. The fire upon the fort immediately commenced, and was kept up with spirit. Our

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men would lie within thirty yards of the fort, untouched by its guns, from the awkward elevation of its platforms; while no sooner was a port-hole opened than a dozen rifles would be directed at it, cutting down every thing in the way. The garrison became discouraged, and could not stand to their guns, and in the eve- ning of the next day the British commandant finding his cannon useless, and apprehensive of the result of being taken at discretion, sent a flag asking a truce of three days. This was refused, and on the 24th of February, 1779, the fort was surrendered and the garrison became prisoners of war. On the 25th it was taken possession of by the Americans, the stars and stripes were again hoisted, and. thirteen guns fired to celebrate the victory. ..

In a few days Colonel Clark returned to Kaskaskia. Soon after this Louisv.Ile was founded, and he made it his head-quarters. In 1780 he built Fort Jefferson, on the Mississippi. . In the course of this year he led an expedition against the Indians of Ohio, the occasion of which was as follows : on the Ist of June, 1780, the British commander at Detroit, assembled six hundred Canadians and Indians, for a secret expedition under Colonel Byrd, against the settlements in Kentucky .. This force, accompanied by two field pieces, presented itself on the 22d, before Ruddell's station, which was obliged to capitulate. Soon after Martin's station shared the same fate, and the inhabitants, loaded with the spoil of their own dwell- ings, were hurried off towards Canada.

A prompt retaliation was required, and when Col. Clark called on the militia of Kentucky for volunteers to accompany his regiment against the Indians, they flocked to his standard without delay. The point of rendezvous was the mouth of Licking river, where the forces assembled. They were supplied with artillery, conveyed up the river from the Falls. When all assembled, the force amounted to near a thousand men. 'The secrecy and dispatch which had ever attended the movements of this efficient commander, continued to mark his progress on this occasion. The Indian town was reached before the enemy had received any intimation of their approach. A sharp conflict ensued, in which seventeen of the savages were slain, with an equal loss on the part of the whites. The Indians then fled, the town was reduced to ashes, and the gardens and fields laid waste. Col. Clark returned to the Ohio and discharged the militia, and the Indians, reduced to the necessity of hunting for the support of their families, gave the whites no farther trouble that season.

For a long time the ever active mind of Clark had been revolving a scheme for the reduction of the British post at Detroit, and in December of the year 1780, he repaired to Richmond, to urge the government to furnish him with means to exe- cute this long cherished design. His views were approved ; but before the neces- sary arrangements could be completed, a British force from New York, under Arnold, carried hostilities into the heart of the State. Clark took a temporary command under Baron Steuben, and participated in the active operations of that officer against the marauding traitor.

After several months had been spent in indefatigable efforts to raise a force of two thousand men, for the enterprise against Detroit, the several corps destined for the service were designated, and ordered to rendezvous on the 15th of March, 1781, at the falls of the Ohio, and Clark was raised to the rank of a brigadier general ; but unexpected and insuperable difficulties arose, and the ardent genius of the commander was confined to defensive operations. This appears to have been the turning point in the fortunes of the hardy warrior. He had set his heart on destroying the British influence throughout the whole North-Western 'Terri- tory. Could he have had the means which he required, his advancement in rank would no doubt have been gratifying; but without a general's command, a gen- eral's commission was of no value. Dangers and hardships would have been disregarded ; but with his small force to be stationed on the frontier to repel the inroads of a few predatory bands of Indians, when he was eager to carry the war to the lakes, was more than he could bear, and it preyed upon his spirit. From this time forth his influence sensibly decreased, and the innate force and energy of his character languished and degenerated.

He was a lion chained, but he was still a lion, and so the enemy found him in 1782. When the news of the disastrous battle of the Blue Licks reached him, he took immediate measures to rouse the country from that benumbed torpor of al - guish and despondency in which this great calamity had plunged it, and to carry

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the war once more into the enemy's country. In September, a thousand moun- ted riflemen assembled on the banks of the Ohio, at the mouth of Licking, and moved against the Indian towns on the Miami and Scioto. The Indians fled before them, and not more than twelve were killed or taken. Five of their towns were reduced to ashes, and all of their provisions destroyed. The effect of this expedition was such that no formidahle party of Indians ever after invaded Ken- tucky.

In 1786, a new army was raised to march against the Indians on the Wabash, and Clark, at the head of a thousand men, again entered the Indian territory. This expedition proved unfortunate, and was abandoned.

Several years elapsed before the name of General Clark again appeared in con- nection with public affairs. When Genet, the French minister, undertook to raise and organize a force in Kentucky for a secret expedition against the Spanish possessions on the Mississippi, George Rogers Clark accepted a commission as major general in the armies of France, to conduct the enterprise. But, before the project was put in execution, a counter revolution occurred in France, Genet was recalled, and Clark's commission annulled. Thus terminated his public career

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 20

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1654

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654