CHAPTER XVI.

1778-CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS, BY GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.

While the colonists of the east were maintaining a fierce struggle with the armies of England, their western frontiers were ravaged by merciless butcheries of Indian warfare. The jealousy of the savage had been aroused to action by the rapid extension of American settlements westward and the improper influence exerted by a number of military posts garrisoned by British troops in different parts of the west. To prevent indiscriminate slaughters arising from these causes Illinois became the theatre of some of the most daring exploits connected with American history. The hero of these achievements by which this beautiful land was snatched as a gem from the British crown, was George Rogers Clark. He was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, November 19, 1752, and like his great cotemporary of the Revolution in his youth studied and practiced the art of surveying land. The manly exercise connected with the original surveys of the country seemed to create a partiality for the adventurous exposure of military life. Little is known in regard to Clark's early history. It is said he became a proficient in geography and devoted considerable time to the study of mathematics, but owing to the imperfect condition of the schools and the exciting times of his youth, the presumption is that his education was confined to the useful rather than ornamental branches of learning. Shortly after attaining his majority he enlisted as a staff officer in Governor Dunmore's war and with many other daring spirits of the times was present in the campaign of 1774 on the river Scioto. For meretorious conduct he was offered a commission in the royal service which, owing to the unfriendly feeling then existing between the colonists and the mother country and unsatisfactory termination of the war, he declined. Dunmore became apprehensive that the colonists would rebel, and it was believed by Washington and others that he was instructed to so treat with the Indians that he could use them as allies in case of revolt.

A spirit for adventure being awakened in the mind of young Clark by the war in 1775 he visited the wilds of Kentucky. Here he found the pioneers in a state of excitement as to whether the country on the south side of the Kentucky river was a part of the territory of Kentucky or Virginia. At the suggestion of Clark a meeting was called for considering the subject and devising the best means of remedying the perplexed state of affairs. The meeting was duly held and a paper prepared setting forth their grievances, and Clark and Gabriel Jones were appointed to lay it

before the legislature of Virginia. The envoys started on their journey, and after suffering the most distressing hardships arrived at the county of Bottetourt where they heard that the legislature had just adjourned. At the reception of this news Gabriel Jones returned to the settlement on the Holstein river and Clark proceeded on his way to Hanover county, where he found Governor Henry lying sick at his private residence. Clark made known to him the object of his visit, which the executive cordially ap proved, and to further his views gave him a letter to the council for further consideration. At the fall term of the Legislature of 1776, Clark and Jones presented their Kentucky petition to that body, and despite the efforts of Henderson and other North Carolina land speculators, the disputed territory was erected into the county of Kentucky, which embraced the limits of the present State of the same name. In addition to this political recognition, the parent State gave 500 lbs. of powder for the defense of the isolated settlement, a gift which now seems small, but then looked large, for the tremendous struggle of the revolution demanded all the energies of the donor to protect her own people and firesides from the ravages of the enemy.

Clark's great services for Kentucky and the good will inspired by his manly appearance and genial manners induced the pioneers to place him at the head of their irregular militia, and he soon instituted such effective means of defense that in all the fierce conflicts with the savages, which gave Kentucky the name of "Bloody Ground," his valor was more than equal to the emergency. Intimately acquainted with the progress of colonization west of the Alleghanies, he was the first to fully comprehend the advantages which would arise from the extension of American conquest to the banks of the Mississippi. While associated with the mili tary operations in Kentucky, his sagacity enabled him to trace the Indian ravages to the instigations of British emissaries at Kaskaskia, Vincennes, Detroit and other places in their possession. These remote posts furnished the Indians with clothing and mili tary stores, and Clark believing that their capture was the only possible way to abate the evils caused by their savage allies, sent two spies by the name of Moore and Dunn, to learn the nature of their defences. They having made observations returned and reported that their militia was well organized and active; that the predatory excursions of the Indians were encouraged by the British authorities and that notwithstanding British agents had endeavored by misrepresentation to prejudice the minds of the French inhabitants against the colonists many of them were evidently in favor of their cause and interests. Clark, furnished with this information, again started to Virginia to make known to the government his plans respecting the subjugation of these British outposts. While on the road thither, fortunately for the enterprise which he had in view, the battle of Saratoga was fought, and resulting in victory to the Americans, prepared the public mind for a more spirited prosecution of the war. On reaching the capital, Clark's impressive representations captivated the mind of Governor Henry with the idea of subduing these British strongholds in the centre of their savage confederates. The enterprise, however, was regarded as extremely hazardous, and so great was secrecy indispensable to success that it was not deemed prudent to entrust the

direction of it to the legislature. Being interrogated by Jefferson as to what he would do in case of defeat, he replied "cross the Mississippi and seek the protection of the Spaniards." The plan was so thoroughly digested that the approbation of the council was readily obtained, and to secure men, George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson and George Mason pledged themselves, if the enterprise was successful, to use their influence to secure a bounty of 300 acres of land for every one engaged in the service. Governor Henry gave him 1200 pounds in depreciated currency, and an order on the commandant of Ft. Pitt for ammunition boats, and other necessary equipments. He also furnished instructions, one set authorizing him to enlist 7 companies of 50 men each for the defense of Kentucky, and the other was drawn as follows:

"Lieut. Colonel George Rogers Clark:

"You are to proceed with all convenient speed to raise 7 companies of soldiers, to consist of 50 men each, officered in the usual manner, and armed most properly for the enterprise; and with this force attack the British force at Kaskaskia. It is conjectured that there are many pieces of cannon, and military stores to a considerable amount at that place, the taking and preservation of which would be a valuable acquisition to the state. If you are so fortunate, therefore, as to succeed in your expedition, you will take every possible measure to secure the artillery and stores, and whatever may advantage the state. For the transportation of the troops, provisions, etc., down the Ohio, you are to apply to the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for boats, and during the whole transaction you are to take especial care to keep the true destination of your force secret; its success depends upon this. Orders are, therefore, given to Captain Smith to secure the two men from Kaskaskia. It is earnestly desired that you show humanity to such British subjects and other persons as fall into your hands. If the white inhabitants of that post and neighborhood will give undoubted evidence of their attachment to this state, for it is certain they live within its limits, by taking the test prescribed by law, and by every other way and means in their power, let them be treated as fellow-citizens, and their persons and property be duly respected. Assistance and protection against all enemies, whatever, shall be afforded them, and the commonwealth of Virginia is pledged to accomplish it. But if these people will not accede to these reasonable demands, they must feel the consequences of war, under that direction of humanity that has hitherto distinguished Americans, and which it is expected you will ever consider as the rule of your conduct, and from which you are in no instance to depart. The corps you are to command are to receive the pay and allowance of militia, and to act under the laws and regulations of this state now in force as to militia. The inhabitants of this post will be informed by you that in case they accede to the offers of becoming citizens of this commonwealth, a proper garrison will be maintained among them, and every attention bestowed to render their commerce beneficial; the fairest prospects being opened to the dominions of France and Spain. It is in contemplation to establish a post near the mouth of the Ohio. Cannon will be wanted to fortify it. Part of those at Kaskaskia will be easily brought thither, or otherwise secured as circumstances make necessary. You are to apply to General Hand, at Pittsburg, for powder and lead necessary for this expedition. If he cannot supply it, the person who has that which Captain Sims brought from New Orleans can. Lead was sent to Hampshire, by my orders, and that may be delivered to you. Wishing you success, I am your humble servant,

P. HENRY."

These instructions breathe a generosity and humanity in striking contrast with the spirit of the British government, whose minions were suffering our soldiers to perish by thousands in prison-ships for the want of food and offering bounties to encourage the merciless savages to murder and scalp our helpless women and children. It was thought best to raise the requisite number of troops west of the Alleghanies, as the colonies needed all the

available forces of the east for the Atlantic defences. To enlist men Major William B. Smith went to the settlement of the Holstein, and for the same purpose Captains Leonard Helm and Joseph Bowman visited other localities. Clark proposed to get assistance at Pittsburg, but on account of jealousy arising from the rival claims of Pennsylvania and Virginia to the dominion of the Kentucky settlements, he was unsuccessful, and the latter colony furnished the troops. His real destination being unknown, many thought it would be better to remove the Kentuckians than to attempt their defence while their own citadels and the whole country round them was threatened by the savage confederates of England. Clark in the meantime being informed that Major Smith had raised 4 companies, and that Captains Helm and Bowman would join him with two others at Brownsville, on the Monongahela, made no further attempts to secure enlistments at Fort Pitt. Major Smith's men were to go by way of Cumberland Gap to Kentucky, and Clark, with the other troops, amounting to 300 men and a number of private adventurers, commenced the descent of the Ohio. At the mouth of the great Kanawa he was besought by Captain Arbuckle, commanding the fort at the junc tion of the two rivers, for assistance in capturing a band of Indians who had attacked him the preceding day. Thinking, however, his own enterprise was of greater moment, and wishing to strictly comply with his instructions, he continued on his course. He landed at the mouth of the Kentucky, with the intention of erecting a fortification at that point, but after mature consideration abandoned it for a more favorable position farther westward, at the falls of the Ohio. While here, learning that of the 4 companies promised by Major Smith, Captain Dillard's alone had arrived in Kentucky, he wrote to Captain Bowman, informing him of his intention to establish a fort at the falls, and having in view an enterprise of the greatest importance to the country, requested him to repair thither with Major Smith's men, and as many more as could be spared from the frontier stations. At this place he fortified Corn Island, opposite Louisville, not only as a base of operations, but as a means of protecting boatmen, who, in passing the rapids, were frequently attacked and plundered by the Indians. When joined by Captain Bowman's party from Kentucky, it was discovered that the withdrawal of his forces from the country left it to a great extent without protection, and therefore only a portion of them were engaged, with the understanding that when the remainder of Major Smith's men arrived the others should return for the defence of Kentucky. Clark now announced to his assembled forces the real destination of the expedition, and with the exception of Captain Dillard's company, the project met the enthusiastic approbation of the men. Lest desertions might occur in the disaffected company, the boats were secured and sentinels stationed at different points where the Ohio was supposed to be fordable. Notwithstanding these precautions, one of Captain Dillard's lieutenants and the most of the men, passing the senti nels unperceived, waded to the opposite shore and disappeared in the woods. A mounted party the next day was sent in pursuit of the fugitives, with orders to kill all who refused to return, and although overtaken 20 miles from the river, such was their vigilance that only 8 were caught and brought back. "The disap

pointment caused by the loss of the men," says Clark in his journal, "was cruel, and in its consequences alarming." The remainder of the deserters, dispersed in the woods to elude pursuit, suffered the most intense privations, and when finally they reached Harrodsburg, the brave Kentuckians were so exasperated at the baseness of their conduct that for a long time they refused to admit them into their stations. The forces were now about to separate, and in a day of rejoicing and mutual encouragement the heroes of the Kaskaskia expedition took leave of their friends who were to return for the defense of Kentucky. After the departure of the latter, Clark's little army, under the command of Captains Bowman, Helm, Harrod and Montgomery, only numbered 153 men. Everything being in readiness, on the 24th of June, 1778, while the sun was in a total eclipse, he left the position which he had fortified and fell down the river. This phenomenon fixes the time of Clark's embarkation, and by the same means other important events of history, the dates of which were wholly unknown, have been determined with perfect precision. Science in modern times has so far divested occurrences of this kind of the terrors which they excited in ancient armies, that among the men of the expedition but little importance was attached to the eclipse, as a harbinger for good or evil.

All unnecessary baggage was left behind that they might not be encumbered in the difficult march which they proposed to make across the country, in order to reach unperceived the post which they designed to capture. Clark was anxious to make an assault upon the post of Vincennes, but the greater extent of the French settlements in Illinois, the prospect of securing them as allies if they were conquered, and the facility of retreat to the Spanish possessions beyond the Mississippi, in case of defeat, inclined him to the original plan of the campaign. While descending the river a letter was fortunately received from Colonel Campbell, of Fort Pitt, stating that an alliance had been entered into between France and the United States, and that the army and navy of the former were coming to our assistance. This information was calculated to make a favorable impression upon the French and Indians of Illinois, and therefore of the greatest importance to the successful termination of the expedition. Landing on an island at the mouth of the Tennessee, the guard stopped a man by the name of John Duff and a number of other American hunters, from whom they also had the good fortune to obtain valuable information respecting the garrison at Kaskaskia. Duff and his party had recently been at that place, and he informed Clark that a French Canadian by the name of Rocheblave was in command; that he kept the militia well drilled; sentinels stationed on the Mississippi, and had ordered the hunters and Indians in their excursions through the country to watch for the rebels, or "Long Knives," as they designated the Virginians. They also stated the fort was kept in order as a place of retreat in case they were attacked; that its defence was attended to more for the purpose of military discipline than from any apprehensions of immediate danger, and that if any assault was anticipated, its great strength would enable the garrison to make a formidable resistance. The declaration of Moore and Dunn respecting the fearful apprehensions with which the inhabitants regarded the Virginians was likewise corrobora