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\Ba/dwm^s Biographical Booklets \\ 
 
 THE STORY OF 
 
 George Rogers Clark 
 
 FOR YOUNG READERS 
 
 ^5 
 
 BV 
 
 KATHERINE BEEBP 
 
 WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY 
 
 CHICAGO NEW YORK. BUSTON 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Chap.. Copyright No 
 
 Shelf.__ 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
BALDWIN'S BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKLETS 
 
 (03 
 
 THE STORY 
 
 z^^?- 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 
 
 FOR YOUNG READERS 
 
 By KATHERINE BEEBE 
 
 WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY 
 NEW YORK CHICAGO BOSTON 
 
63290 
 
 BALDWIN'S 
 BIOGRAPHICAL STORIES 
 
 FOR YOUNG AMERICAN READERS 
 
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 Copyright, 1900, by WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY 
 
 Ei)e ILakfsitie ^rrss 
 
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 CHICAGO 
 
oua 
 
 TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 
 
 Ubrary 0/ Congretii 
 Office of the 
 
 JUN 2 - 1900 
 
 
 ^I't^^^V/ ^fs^ 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 SECOND COPY, ^^^^ 
 
 I. Boyhood and Youth ... ... 5 
 
 II. "Kentucki" . . . . . o 7 
 
 III. The Conquest of Illinois . . . « i"2 
 
 IV. Colonel Clark and the Indians . . 21 
 V. Indian Treaties ...... 27 
 
 VI. Vincennes y ..... . -^z 
 
 VII. Through the "Drowned Lands" . . 37 
 
 VIII. The Capture of Fort Sackville . . 42 
 
 IX. The Delaware Indians . . . .50 
 
 X. Back in Kentucky ..... 52 
 
 XI. Lochry's Defeat . . c . . . 56 
 
 XII. Border Troubles ..... 58 
 
 XIII. After the War ...... 60 
 
GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 
 
 THE HERO OF THE NORTHWEST 
 
 I. — Boyhood and Youth. 
 
 George Rogers Clark was born in Virginia. The 
 state which claims George Washington, Thomas Jeffer- 
 son and Patrick Henry is proud to call him her son. 
 His ancestors were Scotch and English. They settled 
 in Virginia at an early day, near Charlottesville, which 
 is not far from Monticello, the home and burial place of 
 Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 Jefferson was so much older than Clark that they did 
 not see much of each other as boys, although they lived 
 so near together. After they were men they became 
 good friends. 
 
 There were few schools in Virginia when George 
 Clark was a boy, and he was not able to get much of 
 an education. One of his schoolmates was James 
 Madison, who afterwards became president of the United 
 States. George's favorite studies were mathematics and 
 surveying. 
 
 When Clark was nineteen years old he joined an expe- 
 
 5 
 
6 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 dition that was going to the Ohio valley. He went as 
 a surveyor, and intended to take up some land, and set- 
 tle in the West. The party, traveling on horseback and 
 in canoes, were obliged to take great care not to be dis- 
 covered by the Indians. 
 
 Clark found his land near the place where the city of 
 Wheeling, West Virginia, now stands. He built a cabin, 
 and lived there for some time, hunting, fishing, im- 
 proving his land, and earning money by surveying. 
 He wrote to his parents that he liked this rough 
 pioneer life very much. In 1773 he went with a 
 party of Virginians farther down the river, towards 
 Kentucky. 
 
 Two years before the Declaration of Independence was 
 signed there was a short, but hard-fought, war in the 
 Ohio valley. Some friendly Shawnee Indians, and the 
 family of a chief named lyOgan, were killed by white 
 men. This caused all the border Indians to "take 
 up the hatchet." Houses were burned, cattle and 
 crops destroyed, men, women, and children killed, and 
 many scalps taken. The Indians were finally defeated 
 in battle and forced to make peace. 
 
 This trouble has been called "Dunmore's War," 
 because it was thought that Lord Dunmore, the royal 
 governor of Virginia, was at the bottom of it. It was 
 believed that the white men who killed the friendly 
 Indians were acting under his orders. In this war 
 young George Rogers Clark took a part. 
 
"KENTUCKI. 
 
 II. "Kentucki. 
 
 In 1775 many settlers were emigrating to what is now 
 the state of Kentucky. Among them were some of 
 George Clark's friends. He decided to go with them, 
 and do as he had done before, make his way by survey- 
 ing, and take up land for a home. 
 
 He wrote back to Virginia that Kentucky was a 
 beautiful country, and-that he was sure his father would 
 join him if he could only see how rich the land was. 
 Several years later his father and mother made their 
 home at Mulberry Hill, near the place where the city of 
 Louisville now stands. 
 
 Clark went from one part of the new country to the 
 other, often leading the backwoodsmen who served as 
 Indian fighters. He soon became prominent among the 
 frontiersmen. He seemed to forget that he had come to 
 the new country to take up land and make money by 
 surveying,^ for he found so much to do for the struggling 
 settlements that he had n-^ time to think of himself. 
 
 The Indians were on the warpath most of the time, 
 and there was but little powder among the settlers. 
 Kentucky was so far away from Virginia that it scarcely 
 seemed to be a part of it. For these reasons Clark 
 determined to find out whether the mother state would 
 protect her border settlements, or whether the pioneers 
 would have to form a new state and take care of them- 
 selves. A meeting was held in Harrodsburg in which 
 
8 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 the people chose George Clark and John Jones to go to 
 Virginia for them. They were to find out what could 
 be done for the protection of the settlements. 
 
 Clark and Jones set out alone, traveling overland 
 instead of by the river. A long and dangerous journey 
 was before them. The ground was wet and muddy ; 
 there were hills, mountains, and swollen streams to be 
 crossed ; there were signs of hostile Indians every- 
 where. 
 
 They had not gone far before they lost one of their 
 horses, and all the baggage had to be placed on the other. 
 The feet of both men were often wet for days together, 
 and they dared not make a fire for fear of being discovered 
 by Indians. The soles of their feet became blistered, so 
 much so that Clark afterwards said that he ^' traveled in 
 more torment than he had ever before experienced." 
 
 As the two men approached Cumberland they hoped 
 to obtain relief, but on reaching the place they found it 
 burned and deserted. Painfully they pushed on towards 
 the next settlement, Martin's Fort, only to find that it, 
 too, had been abandoned. 
 
 The next settlement was sixty miles away. They 
 could not travel any longer, for they now had what 
 hunters call "scald feet"; there was nothing to be done 
 but stay where they were till help should come. 
 
 They decided to fortify themselves in the strongest of 
 the deserted cabins, burn the others, so that Indians 
 could not hide in or behind them, and cure their feet 
 
*'KENTUCKL" 9 
 
 with the oil and ooze of oak bark. A few hogs had 
 been left behind when the settlers of Martin's Fort had 
 fled, and our adventurers caught and killed some of 
 them. The door of the cabin they chose was found to 
 be fastened. Clark climbed to the roof, knocked off 
 part of the chimney, and dropped down inside. He 
 opened the door, and both men set to work, preparing 
 for defense. 
 
 The meat was brought in ; a barrel was filled with 
 water; rifles and pistols were laid out on a table. In case 
 of attack Jones was to load and Clark was to fire. Wood 
 and corn were added to their stores, loopholes cut in the 
 walls, and doors and windows barred. 
 
 This work occupied them till evening. As soon as 
 the wind changed they meant to burn the other build- 
 ings, and were just about to do so when they heard a 
 horse bell. They at once prepared themselves for 
 Indians, but, to their great joy, soon discovered that the 
 horse belonged to white men, who had come back to 
 Martin's Fort for some things that had been hidden and 
 left behind. 
 
 These white men, when they saw smoke coming from 
 the chimney of the cabin, had made ready to fight 
 Indians. They were as glad as Clark and Jones were to 
 meet white men instead of red. 
 
 With these friendly helpers the travelers crossed the 
 mountains, but found they were too late to meet the 
 Virginia Assembly that spring. They made their plans 
 
lO GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 to wait for the autumn meeting ; for only the Assembly 
 had the power to grant the Kentuckians the help and 
 protection they needed. 
 
 Jones joined the troops then being raised to fight the 
 Cherokee Indians. Clark went to Williamsburg to see 
 what he could do about getting some powder. On this 
 errand he went to see Governor Patrick Henry, who was 
 in favor of doing all that was possible to assist the fron- 
 tiersmen. Clark, nevertheless, had a great deal of trouble 
 getting the powder they so sorely needed. He wrote to 
 those in authority that if the Kentucky 
 country belonged to Virginia it was to 
 her interest to protect it ; that if it was 
 not worth protecting, it was not worth 
 claiming ; that if Virginia did not 
 send relief the settlers must seek help 
 elsewhere, or form an independent 
 
 PATRICK HENRY. StatC. . 
 
 After much anxiety and long delay 
 Clark received an order for five hundred pounds of 
 powder. He at once wrote to Kentucky for men to 
 take it down the Ohio River. This letter was lost, 
 as letters often were in those days, for the messenger 
 was either killed or captured by the Indians. 
 
 In the autumn, when the Assembly met, Clark and 
 Jones presented the claims of the Kentucky settlements. 
 After considerable difficulty and disappointment they 
 had the satisfaction of knowing that their chosen home 
 
**KENTUCKI. " II 
 
 was in the " County of Kentucki," and under the pro- 
 tection of Virginia. 
 
 Hearing nothing from home, they decided that they 
 must take the powder down the river thepiselves. It 
 was late in the fall before they were able to start; but, 
 late or not, they felt that it ought to reach Kentucky 
 as soon as possible, for they knew that the Indians 
 would be again on the warpath as soon as winter was 
 over. 
 
 With seven men they set out on their journey down 
 the Ohio. They were soon discovered aud pursued by 
 their savage foes, and were finally obliged to hide the 
 powder in four or five places along the river bank. 
 They ran the boat some miles farther down stream, set 
 it adrift, and then started across the country towards 
 Harrodsburg, where Clark intended to get a larger force 
 of men to go back for the powder. On the way he met 
 four explorers, who told him that his friend John Todd, 
 with a number of men, was in the vicinity. This 
 decided Clark to push on to Harrodsburg with two men, 
 leaving Jones and the others to await the party he ex- 
 pected to send. 
 
 Soon after Clark had gone Todd, with ten men, met 
 Jones and his little band. The two parties concluded 
 not to wait for the Harrodsburg men, but to go after the 
 powder themselves. They had not gone far before they 
 met a large body of Indians. A short and fierce battle 
 was fought, which went hard with the white men. 
 
12 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 Jones and several others were killed, and the rest were 
 taken prisoners; but these unfortunate men did not let 
 the Indians know where the powder was hidden. A 
 little later the men sent by Clark brought it safely to the 
 settlements. 
 
 III. — The Conquest of Illinois. 
 
 About this time, a large number of Indians appeared 
 suddenly near Harrodsburg. They shot at some boys 
 who were playing in the woods, and captured one of 
 them. The others made their escape and gave the 
 alarm. 
 
 A party of men at once set out in pursuit, but they did 
 not find the Indians. This was fortunate for the settlers, 
 for the savages so far outnumbered the white men that 
 the latter would certainly have been defeated, and in 
 those troublous times the loss of even one man was a 
 serious thing. 
 
 Part of the town had been deserted as soon as the news 
 was brought in by the boys. Men, women, and children 
 left their homes to take refuge in the fort. It was well 
 they did so in time, for, in the early morning, the 
 Indians again appeared and set fire to the empty houses. 
 Again the brave pioneers set out to attack their foes, but 
 they were soon obliged to retreat. 
 
 This was the opening of another Indian war. Many 
 men, women, and children were killed; prisoners were 
 
THE CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS. I3 
 
 taken and tortured; homes were burned, and cattle and 
 crops destroyed on every side. It seemed for a time as 
 if Kentucky must become again the Indian hunting 
 ground which it had been before the sturdy backwoods- 
 men determined to make it their home. 
 
 Virginia's new county was indeed in a sad plight. It 
 was hundreds of miles from the mother state, and over- 
 run with savages. The settlers were forced to spend 
 most of the time defending the forts, tending the 
 wounded, and burying the dead. They could raise no 
 crops, and so had to depend almost entirely on the hunt- 
 ers for food. These men were so often killed or cap- 
 tured by the Indians that it was only by taking the 
 utmost care that they were able to do their work. They 
 were obliged to set out before daylight, that they might 
 not be seen by their watchful foes, and to remain away 
 until dark for the same reason. 
 ^-^Bngland and America being at war, the British at 
 Detroit were urging the Indians to attack the frontier 
 settlements. Agents were sent among the tribes with 
 promises and presents. Scalps of American men, 
 women, and children were bought and paid for. Bitter 
 indeed was the feeling in Kentucky against the English 
 officers who so abused their power, and many were the 
 backwoodsmen who longed for revenge. Especially 
 was this true of those whose wives, children, or friends 
 had been killed or captured. 
 
 The situation grew worse as the season advanced. 
 
14 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 Clark began to fear that the Kentuckians would have to 
 surrender entirely and be carried away to Detroit, to 
 become the prisoners of the British. A ray of hope 
 arrived with Captain John Bowman, who was sent from 
 Virginia with a company of men. Clark nevertheless 
 knew that he himself must go to war seriously if his 
 country was to be saved. The people were looking to 
 him for help, and he therefore decided to go to Virginia 
 and tell their sad story there. 
 
 He declared that unless something was done at once, 
 Kentucky would be lost ; that if that came to pass, not 
 only would there be no more supplies of food and furs 
 sent from the west, but Virginia would have to send 
 extra troops to guard her borders. This work Ken- 
 tucky was now doing as best she could. 
 
 \ Clark knew that the British commanders of the forts 
 in Illinois and at Detroit were inciting the Indians against 
 the Americans. He wished to march to these posts, and, 
 by capturing them, put an end to English influence 
 among the Indian tribes. He had already sent spies 
 into the Illinois country, and had learned from them the 
 condition of the fort at Kaskaskia, and of the French 
 towns near by.\ He had been informed that the British 
 were not expecting an attack, and that they were 
 influencing the French people against the Americans! 
 The French had always had great influence with the\ 
 Indians, hence Clark hoped that if he took the Illinois 
 towns he would make friends of them, and that they, in 
 
THE CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS. I5 
 
 their turn, would help him to put an end to the horrible 
 border warfare then going on. 
 
 After explaining all these things, Clark asked Gov- 
 ernor Henry for troops, that he might carr^^ out his 
 plan. The governor gave him permission to raise the 
 companies he needed, and declared himself much pleased 
 with Clark's idea. 
 
 Colonel Clark soon found that he had set himself a 
 hard task. It was very difficult to find men who were 
 not needed at home or had not already enlisted in their 
 country's service. He managed to secure a promise 
 from the government that three hundred acres of land 
 in the conquered territory should be given to each man 
 who helped to win it. This promise, which was after- 
 wards fulfilled, was of great assistance to him, and he 
 finally succeeded in recruiting a number of men. 
 
 The plan of capturing the Illinois towns was, for a 
 time, kept secret. The men supposed that they were 
 merely going to protect the Kentucky border. 
 
 When Clark started down the Ohio River he had about 
 one hundred and seventy-five men, instead of the five 
 hundred he had hoped to have. The first stopping 
 place was Corn Island, opposite the place where Ivouis- 
 ville now stands, which was then called the Falls of the 
 Ohio. This island no longer exists ; it was gradually 
 swept away by the swift current of the river. 
 
 At the time of Clark's landing it was about seventy 
 acres in extent. Some twenty families had come with 
 
l6 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 him and his troops, and they decided to settle on the 
 island. Clark divided the land among them, that each 
 man might have his own garden, and detailed a few of 
 his soldiers for their protection. 
 
 The time had now come to reveal to the men the true 
 object of the expedition. Most of them were willing 
 and anxious to follow their brave leader. On the 
 twenty-fourth of June, 1778, they left Corn Island for 
 Kaskaskia. 
 
 At the very moment of departure the sun was dark- 
 ened by an eclipse, which must have greatly astonished 
 them all. They regarded it as a good omen, however, 
 and set off with cheers and rejoicings. The boats were 
 rowed down the river, the rowers working in relays 
 day and night, to a point about three miles below the 
 mouth of the Tennessee. Near the place where Fort 
 Massac, an old French outpost, had once stood, the party 
 landed. 
 
 Before the landing took place, a canoe containing a 
 party of hunters was stopped. Clark was . glad to learn 
 from these men that they had just come from Kaskaskia. 
 They told him that the fort there was in good condition 
 and well defended, but that no one thought the Ameri- 
 cans would really attack it. They were sure both fort 
 and town would be easily captured if taken by surprise. 
 They said that if the approach of the Americans was 
 discovered the French people of the town would take 
 sides with the English, for the English officers had told 
 
THE CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 17 
 
 the townsfolk such terrible stories about the American 
 backwoodsmen that they were much afraid of them. 
 
 The hunters offered to join Clark's forces, and one of 
 them said he would act as guide from the river to Kas- 
 kaskia. This offer was thankfully accepted; the land- 
 
 men were or- 
 The first part 
 was through 
 the rest of the 
 
 ing was made; 
 the boats were 
 hidden, and the 
 dered forward, 
 of the march 
 swampy land; 
 way was over the open prairie. By looking at the map, 
 you can see the course of the march from Fort Massac. 
 On the third day the guide appeared to be confused, 
 and said he had lost his way. This immediately aroused 
 the suspicions of both Colonel Clark and his men. 
 They began to fear that they were being led into a trap^ 
 
l8 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 and that they might be betrayed into the hands of the 
 enemy. Clark said it was very strange that a man who 
 knew his way perfectly three days before should now be 
 in doubt of it. * He did not think it possible for any one 
 to go from Kaskaskia to the river without learning the 
 route well. 
 
 The guide seemed very uncomfortable, and the 
 soldiers grew more and more angry. He was finally 
 told that unless he found the trail he would be shot. 
 He begged to be allowed to go to a certain place a little 
 distance away, from which he was sure he could find out 
 where they were. Some of Clark's men were sent with 
 him, and he soon proved his words true. He dis- 
 covered the landmarks he had hoped to find, and was 
 once more sure of his way. He had really been lost 
 and bewildered, and the suspicions against him were 
 unfounded. 
 
 On the evening of July fourth the Americans reached 
 Kaskaskia. They halted about three quarters of a mile 
 from town, then cautiously approached a house on the 
 river bank. The French family living in it were taken 
 prisoners, and boats were secured in which the troops 
 crossed to the other side after dark. Colonel Clark, 
 with part of his men, went to the fort; the rest were 
 sent to take possession of the town. 
 
 There was a dance at the fort that night, at which 
 most of the British officers and many of the towns- 
 people were present. The American soldiers placed 
 
THE CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS. I9 
 
 themselves on guard in silence, and in the middle of the 
 gayety Clark stepped just inside the door. He stood 
 there, in his rough backwoodsman's dress, surveying 
 the scene with a grim smile. No one noticed the 
 stranger at the door, until an Indian, who was sitting 
 on the floor, chanced to look that way. He eyed Clark 
 closely for a moment, and then sprang to his feet with 
 a yell. Immediately there was great confusion and 
 alarm. 
 
 "There is no danger," said the American quietly. 
 "Go on with your fun. Only remember that you are 
 now dancing under the flag of Virginia, and not that of 
 England." 
 
 In a very short time the town was in the possession 
 of the Americans. The commander of the fort, Philip 
 Rocheblave, was captured in his bed. 
 
 Clark learned that many of the townspeople were 
 inclined to be friendly to the Americans, but that others 
 had been told such terrible stories of their fierceness and 
 cruelty that they were greatly frightened to find them- 
 selves in their power. He decided to appear very severe 
 at first, in order to surprise the people more completely 
 by his kindness later on. 
 
 When the priest and several of the leading French 
 citizens came to talk to Colonel Clark and his officers 
 they must have thought them little better than savages. 
 Much of their clothing had been left with the boats, and 
 what they had on had been badly torn by bushes and 
 
20 GEORGE ROGERS CL4RK. 
 
 briars on the march. Their faces were dirty, their hair 
 was unkempt, and they were tired and worn for want of 
 food and rest. 
 
 Bach party looked at the other in silence for a time; 
 then one of the Frenchmen spoke. He said he knew 
 that the townspeople must be carried away from their 
 homes as prisoners, and he begged that they might be 
 allowed to meet in the church to take leave of each 
 other. 
 
 '^You may do as you please about going to the 
 church," said Colonel Clark sternly, "but let no one 
 dare attempt to escape from the town." 
 
 The frightened citizens flocked to the church, and 
 men were again sent to the American commander. They 
 humbly thanked him for permitting them to meet 
 together; they begged that when the prisoners were 
 taken away the families might not be separated; they 
 asked that the women and children be allowed to keep 
 some food and clothing. 
 
 "Do you think that you are dealing with Indians?" 
 asked Colonel Clark abruptly. "Do you think Amer- 
 icans war against women and children ? We came to 
 prevent suffering, not to cause it !" 
 
 He then went on to explain that because the English 
 commander was inciting the Indians to murder their 
 wives, children, and friends, the Americans had marched 
 against Kaskaskia; that all they wanted was to put an 
 end to Indian wars; that the king of France was now 
 
COLONEL CLARK AND THE INDIANS. 21 
 
 the friend of Ihe colonies; that their church should not 
 be interfered with; that no property should be destroyed 
 and no prisoners taken. He told the story of the 
 trouble between England and America which had led to 
 the war of the Revolution, and proved to them that what 
 the English had been telling them of the Americans 
 was untrue. 
 
 "You may go back to your homes in peace and 
 safety," said he. 
 
 Great was the joy of the Kaskaskians on hearing 
 these words. They declared that they had been misled 
 and deceived; that they were glad to be friends with the 
 Americans, and that they would loyally serve them. 
 
 When affairs at Kaskaskia were well settled, Colonel 
 Clark sent Captain Bowman, with a party of men, to the 
 neighboring town of Cahokia. This place, like Kas- 
 kaskia, was surprised and taken. The same story that 
 was made known in one town was told in the other, and 
 with the same result — the French were glad to become 
 the friends and allies of the Americans. The town of 
 Prairie du Rocher and the settlement at Fort Chartres 
 were also taken with little trouble to the Americans. 
 
 IV. — Colonel Clark and the Indians. 
 When the Indians in and about Kaskaskia realized 
 that the Americans were in control they quickly disap- 
 peared. Colonel Clark was very anxious to gain an 
 
22 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 influence over these Indians, and, with that end in view, 
 managed to get a report spread among them that more 
 troops were expected to join those already in Illinois. 
 
 He was wise enough 
 to send no direct mes- 
 sage to the savages. 
 He wished them to 
 think that he did not 
 care where they were or 
 what they did. 
 
 The town of Vin- 
 cennes, on the Wabash 
 River, was a larger and 
 niore important post 
 than Kaskaskia. It was 
 necessary to obtain pos- 
 session of it, in order to 
 complete the conquest 
 of the Illinois country. 
 Among the leading cit- 
 izens of Kaskaskia was 
 Father Gibault, the 
 Catholic priest, who 
 had .become the firm 
 friend of Colonel Clark 
 and the American 
 cause. He assured Clark that the French of Vincennes 
 would do as the people of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Prairie 
 
 THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS ON THE 
 MISSISSIPPI. 
 
COLONEL CLARK AND THE INDIANS. 23 
 
 du Rocher, and Fort Chartres had done, if they only 
 knew the true state of affairs. 
 
 He oflfered to go and tell them the real reason for the 
 quarrel between England and America, for he was sure 
 they had been as much deceived and misled as the Kas- 
 kasians had been. He said that he would make known 
 the fact that the French king was now the friend of 
 the Americans, and that he would tell how Colonel Clark 
 treated those whom he conquered. He believed that 
 when once these facts were known the flag of Virginia 
 would be raised over Vincennes. 
 
 This proved to be the case. Father Gibault, accom- 
 panied by Captain Helm and a small party of men, 
 successfully performed his mission. The people of Vin- 
 cennes declared themselves the friends of the Americans. 
 Fort Sackville at that place was surrendered, and Cap- 
 tain Helm took command of it with one American sol- 
 flier and some Frenchmen as a garrison. 
 I The Indians around Vincennes were greatly surprised 
 when the English flag was hauled down and Virginia's 
 colors hoisted in its place. The French told the Indians 
 that their Father, the king of France, had joined forces 
 with the '* Long Knives," as the Americans were called 
 by their savage foes, and advised them to make peace, 
 lest they be destroyed. This the Indians heard on 
 every side, and it made a deep impression on them. 
 
 One of the most powerful chiefs was called Tobacco's 
 Son, and also The-Grand-Door-to-the-Wabash. Clark 
 
24 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 wished to make friends with this chief, and sent him 
 his compliments by Father Gibault. He also sent him 
 a speech and a belt by Captain Helm. The chief had 
 said in reply that now, since he understood the situation, 
 he would not only declare friendship with the Long 
 Knives himself, but he would advise the other Wabash 
 Indians to make peace at once. This was exactly what 
 Clark wanted. 
 
 As the news of these events spread, many Indians 
 came to Cahokia to make treaties of peace. The 
 English at Detroit became greatly alarmed, and kept 
 their agents busy among the Indian villages, making- 
 presents and speeches. The French, however, worked 
 among the tribes in the interest of their new friends. 
 
 Colonel Clark had long been of the opinion that it 
 was a mistake to make friends with treacherous savages 
 by giving them presents. He felt that such a course 
 made the Indians think the white men afraid of them. 
 He made up his mind not to give those with whom he 
 treated the least reason for believing that he feared 
 them. Several chiefs asked him for a council, to which 
 he consented. Indian councils were always conducted 
 with much ceremony, and took a great deal of time. 
 Clark made a point of being even more ceremonious 
 than the Indians themselves, and, on this occasion, let 
 one of them make the opening speech. 
 
 The chief laid the blame of all the border warfare on 
 the English, whose "bad birds," as he called the agents. 
 
COLONEL CLARK AND THE INDIANS. 25 
 
 had been flying among the tribes. At the end of the 
 speech many Indians threw down the flags and war belts 
 sent them by the British, and stamped on them. 
 
 **I will think over what you have said," said Colonel 
 Clark, '' and tell you to-morrow whether the Long 
 Knives will forgive you or destroy you." 
 
 The next day the chief of •the Long Knives made his 
 speech. '' Men and warriors," said he sternly, ^Misten 
 to my words. I am a warrior, not a counselor. I hold 
 war in my right hand and peace in my left. I am sent 
 by the Council of the Long Knives to take possession 
 of all the towns owned by the English, and to watch 
 the red men. I will make bloody the paths of those 
 who stop the way to the river. I will open such paths 
 for those who are friends, that women and children may 
 walk in them." 
 
 At the close of the speech he offered a peace belt and 
 a war belt. 
 
 "Take whichever you please," said he. "If you 
 choose the war belt you may go back in safety to your 
 English friends, and make ready to fight. If you 
 choose the peace belt you shall be the friends of the 
 Long Knives and of the French. If you do not keep 
 faith, when once you give your word, you shall be 
 destroyed. ' ' 
 
 The Indians were then dismissed to think over what 
 the white chief had said. 
 
 They came together again on the next day. Colonel 
 
26 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 Clark seated himself at a table with great dignity, his 
 officers and the leading citizens of the town standing 
 near by. The Indians solemnly kindled a fire. Three 
 chiefs approached Colonel Clark, one carrying a peace 
 belt, one a peace pipe, and the other fire with which 
 to light it. Here Colonel Clark spoke. 
 
 " You ought to be thankful to the Great Spirit who 
 has opened your eyes and hearts to the truth ! " said he. 
 
 " The Ivong Knives do not speak like any other 
 people," answered a chief. " We believe you speak the 
 truth, and that the English have deceived us. Some of 
 our old men told us this long ago. We will throw the 
 tomahawk into the river. We will also send news to 
 our friends of the good talk we have heard." 
 
 The pipe of peace was then smoked by red men 
 and white, and a general handshaking followed. 
 
 Many councils similar to this one were held in 
 Cahokia. Colonel Clark was occupied for weeks mak- 
 ing and listening to speeches. . One by one the tribes 
 made peace until all in the neighborhood of the Illinois 
 towns might fairly be counted friendly. 
 
 V. — Indian Treaties. 
 
 Colonel Clark wished to secure peace with as many 
 tribes as possible, not only that the Indian war might 
 be brought to an end, but also because he wished to 
 
GEORGK ROGERS CI.ARK IN COUNCII. WITH THE INDIANS. 
 From the painting in the Illinois State House. 
 
 27 
 
28 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 keep the new country he had won from being re-taken 
 by the English. He had such a small force, and the 
 Indians were so numerous, that he knew he would be in 
 great danger if they did not come over to the American 
 side. There were often hundreds of savages gathered 
 together in Cahokia, and Colonel Clark confessed, in a 
 letter, that he was frequently uneasy lest they should 
 suddenly decide to unite against the conquerors of 
 Illinois. The Indians, however, were never allowed to 
 discover the least sign of anxiety. Colonel Clark con- 
 tinued to act as though he cared little whether they 
 chose peace or war, but he was nevertheless doing 
 everything in his power to bring about treaties of 
 peace. 
 
 He interested himself in a chief called Black Bird, who 
 was a leader among the L^ake Michigan tribes. Black 
 Bird had been in St. Louis when Clark took Kaskaskia 
 and the other Illinois towns. As soon as he heard the 
 news he fled, fearing that the Long Knives would at 
 once take vengeance on him. On the way north he 
 and his braves met a party of traders, to whom they 
 told the story of Clark's conquest. The traders tried to 
 persuade the Indians to go back. 
 
 ''The Long Knives will think you are afraid of 
 them," they said. 
 
 '' My family is sick," replied Black Bird; " I will go 
 in the spring. I will write to the chief of the Long 
 Knives at Kaskaskia." 
 
INDIAN TREATIES. - 29 
 
 Black Bird did write, and Colonel Clark answered the 
 letter. He was most anxious to win over this chief, 
 who had great influence among the lake Indians. He 
 paid one of his men two hundred dollars to visit Black 
 Bird at St. Joseph. This man invited the chief to visit 
 Clark at Cahokia. He accepted the invitation, and 
 arrived with eight of his warriors. Seeing preparations 
 for the usual Indian ceremonies, he at once sent word 
 to Clark that such forms would be unnecessary between 
 them, as they would transact their business like white 
 rnen. When he met Colonel Clark he tried to behave 
 like a very polite gentleman, and had himself introduced 
 by one of the French citizens. 
 
 "I have for some time wanted a council with some 
 chief of the Long Knives," said he. '' I have grown 
 doubtful of the English, and there are some matters 
 which I should like to have explained." 
 
 He then asked such intelligent questions that Clark 
 had to tell him the whole history of the American 
 colonies, from the time of Columbus down to that day. 
 
 "The English are afraid of the Long Knives," said 
 Black Bird. " I should not blame you if you destroyed 
 all the Indians who are unfriendly. I will be a friend 
 to you. I will make my people your friends as soon as 
 my young men come back from the warpaths they now 
 tread. I will make the other lake tribes your friends 
 also." 
 
 " I am glad to hear this, ' ' answered Colonel Clark. *' I 
 
30 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 will write the great chiefs of the Long Knives that Black 
 Bird has become their friend." 
 
 Black Bird kept his word. He not only became the 
 friend of the Americans, but used his influence among 
 the lake tribes for their cause, as he had said he would. 
 
 Clark's next work was with a warrior named Big 
 Gate. This chief, when a boy, had been with the great 
 Pontiac at the siege of Detroit. The Indian boy had 
 shot a white man who was standing at the gate of the 
 fort. From that time he had borne the name of Big Gate. 
 
 He heard the news from Illinois and came, with sev- 
 eral followers, to see Colonel Clark. He had the 
 audacity to come in full war dress, wearing about his 
 neck the bloody belt he had received from the English. 
 For Several days he attended the councils which Clark 
 was then holding with various chiefs and their tribes. 
 He always sat in front, but said nothing. Clark had 
 found out all about him, but, for a time, paid him no 
 attention. He finally told him, however, that he knew 
 who he was, but that, as public business came before 
 private. Big Gate must excuse him if he did not speak 
 with him till later. 
 
 "When white warriors talk with their enemies," 
 said Colonel Clark, "each treats the other with the 
 greatest respect. Each honors the other according to 
 his exploits. I hope that you will remain with us a few 
 days, and that you will dine with me and my officers 
 this evening." 
 
INDIAN TREATIES. 3I 
 
 This polite speech made Big Gate very nervous. He 
 tried to refuse the invitation, but Clark would not take 
 no for an answer. He showed the discomfited chief so 
 much honor, and treated him with such great ceremony, 
 that he at last became very much excited. He ran to 
 the middle of the room and took off his war belt. He 
 threw this, and an English flag which he carried, to 
 the floor. He cast off his other garments one by 
 one, until he had almost nothing on. Then he made a 
 speech. 
 
 " I am a warrior, " he declared. "I have delighted 
 in war from my youth. The English have lied to me. 
 I thought the Long Knives in the wrong. I have 
 fought against them three times, and was ready to go 
 on the warpath again. I thought I would come to see 
 what kind of people they are. I know now that 
 they are in the right. I will no longer be on the 
 wrong side." 
 
 Big Gate then struck himself violently on the chest, 
 saying that he was now one of the Eong Knives. He 
 began to shake hands all around, in a way that made 
 great fun for the American officers. The soldiers threw 
 his old clothes away, and one of the officers gave him a 
 fine new suit. This delighted him greatly. 
 
 That evening he dined with Colonel Clark and his 
 officers in great state. After the dinner he had a long 
 talk with the American commander, in which he gave 
 his new friend the news from Detroit. In his zeal for 
 
32 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 the American cause he offered to go there at once and 
 get either a scalp or a prisoner. He meant in this way 
 to show his good will toward his white brothers. 
 
 " I do not want the Indians to fight for me," said 
 Colonel Clark. "I wish them only to look on. The 
 lyong Knives do their own fighting." 
 
 Big Gate went away soon after this, and as he left 
 town some of the officers saluted him with pistol shots. 
 This pleased him very much, and he departed much 
 impressed by the power and the politeness of the lyong 
 Knives. He soon had an opportunity to show his 
 friendship for them. On his way home he fell in with 
 a party of traders. Tliinking to please the Indians, 
 these men told them that they were English. To their 
 astonishment Big Gate said : 
 
 " I am now a captain of the Long Knives. I shall 
 take you back to Cahokia as my prisoners." 
 
 ' ' Now that we know you to be friends, ' ' said one of 
 the traders, "we will tell you the truth. We are run- 
 ning away from the English to join the Long Knives." 
 
 ''I do not believe you," answered the chief "I 
 shall keep you prisoners." 
 
 The unfortunate traders were bound, and forced to go 
 with the Indians. A party of Americans, however, soon 
 came by on their way to Cahokia. These men took 
 charge of the prisoners, promising to deliver them safely 
 into Clark's hands. This they did, but we are not told 
 whether they proved to be friends or foes. 
 
VINCENNES. 33 
 
 Colonel Clark had now concluded peace with most of 
 the tribes within reach. Many came from long dis- 
 tances to declare their friendship. Indian promises, 
 however, were easily broken, and Clark was still 
 anxious and troubled. 
 
 VI . — ViNCENNES. 
 
 As winter approached Colonel Clark became even 
 more disturbed than he had been during the summer 
 and early autumn. No news had come from Virginia, 
 and this made him less and less hopeful of reinforcement. 
 He had been receiving a letter from Vincennes every 
 fortnight, and now even this failed to arrive. In great 
 anxiety he sent out scouts. They did not return. For 
 a time he waited in suspense; then he set out from 
 Kaskaskia for Cahokia, that he might counsel with 
 Captain Bowman. 
 
 On the way footmarks of seven or eight men were dis- 
 covered, but Clark thought little of the circumstance. 
 He went on to Prairie du Rocher, twelve miles from 
 Kaskaskia, where he expected to remain over night. 
 There he found a dance in progress, and both he and his 
 men joined in the festivity. In the midst of it a mes- 
 senger arrived with news for Colonel Clark. 
 
 '' Bight hundred white men and Indians are within a 
 few miles of Kaskaskia ! " he declared. " They intend 
 to attack the fort to-night ! " 
 
34 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 The scene of gayety was at once changed to one of 
 the wildest excitement and alarm. The French well 
 knew that if Kaskaskia was taken, Prairie dii Rocher and 
 Cahokia would also fall into the hands of the enemy. 
 They feared that, in that case, they would be severely 
 punished for having gone over to the American side. 
 
 Some of Clark's friends urged him to seek safety 
 across the Mississippi among the Spaniards. He 
 laughed at the very thought, and began to prepare to go 
 back to Kaskaskia. He ordered his men to dress like 
 hunters, that they might mingle unrecognized with 
 the English and Indians, who would probably be 
 attacking the fort when they arrived. He hoped that 
 he and his men, so disguised, might find some way to 
 get into the fort. He prepared a message for Captain 
 Bowman which instructed him to get together all the 
 men he could and come at once from Cahokia to 
 Kaskaskia. 
 
 "Take the best horse in town !" said Colonel Clark 
 to the man chosen to carry this message. " Ride until 
 it can go no further, then make the rest of the way on 
 foot!" 
 
 He and his men set out in hot haste for the town they 
 had so lately left. On reaching it they found that no 
 enemy had yet appeared. The fort had been care- 
 fully prepared for an attack, but Clark decided that 
 more provisions were necessary. The French citizens 
 were afraid to supply him, fearing punishment if the 
 
VINCENNES. 
 
 35 
 
 English, after taking the town, should learn that they 
 had helped provision the fort. There was no time for 
 the discussion of this matter. Clark acted with a 
 soldier's promptness. He sent out word that he was 
 going to destroy all provisions and stores in the town, to 
 keep them from falling into the enemy's hands. In 
 proof of his words he set fire to a barn full of grain, 
 which was near the fort. The citizens then made haste 
 to bring in all the supplies that were wanted. 
 
 Clark did not venture to ask them to fight with him 
 against the English, for he was sure they would be 
 afraid to do so. He had to rely on his own men, and 
 those of Captain Bowman, who arrived the next day. 
 
 The whole alarm, however, proved to be a false one. 
 It was found that the army of eight hundred English 
 and Indians was only a small party sent out to capture 
 Colonel Clark, and that they had gone away. The 
 leaders of the party had given some negroes, who were 
 working on the river bank, the message which reached 
 Clark at Prairie du Rocher. They knew that he would 
 at once prepare for defense, and that they, in the mean- 
 time, could get safely away. 
 
 Soon after this another startling message was brought 
 to Kaskaskia. A man by the name of Vigo, just arrived 
 from Vincennes, told Clark that General Hamilton of 
 Detroit, with a party of regulars, volunteers, and 
 Indians to the number of several hundred, had captured 
 Vincennes; that he had sent some of his soldiers to 
 
36 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 patrol the Ohio River, disbanded others, and settled 
 down in Fort Sackville for the winter. It was Hamil- 
 ton's intention to drive Clark out of Illinois in the 
 spring, and then to fall on the Kentucky settlements. 
 
 ''If I don't take Hamilton, he will take me!" said 
 Colonel Clark, who, in spite of his usual brave cheerful- 
 ness, knew that his situation was desperate. 
 
 ' ' We must attack at once, ' ' .said he. " If we are suc- 
 cessful both Illinois and Kentucky will be saved. If 
 we fail we shall be no worse off than we are now." 
 
 Preparations for war immediately began. The whole 
 Illinois country was aroused; every one gave what help 
 he could; volunteers were much praised and encouraged. 
 A large Mississippi River boat was purchased, loaded 
 with stores and cannon, and manned by forty-five 
 soldiers under Captain John Rogers. The Willhig, as 
 she was called, was to go to a point a few miles below 
 Vincennes and wait there for the land forces under 
 Colonel Clark. On the fourth of February, she set off 
 on her voyage down the river. 
 
 In the meantime a company of volunteers arrived 
 from Cahokia, and another had been formed in Kas- 
 kaskia. By the fifth all was in readiness; good Father 
 Gibault, ever the friend of the Americans, addressed 
 the troops and gave them his blessing. There were 
 upwards of a hundred and seventy men in the little 
 army which set out from Kaskaskia followed by the 
 prayers and well-wishes of those who remained behind. 
 
THROUGH THE "DROWNED LANDS. 37 
 
 VII. — Through the "Drowned Lands." 
 
 Through, rain, mud, and pools of standing water 
 George Rogers Clark's gallant followers started to trav- 
 erse what is now the state of Illinois.^ The first stream 
 was crossed by means of trees felled for the purpose. 
 Beyond this river the road stretched away over a partly 
 submerged plain. Clark was anxious to keep up the 
 spirits and courage of his men, and, with that end in 
 view, planned that the evenings should be times of 
 feasting and merry-making. Each day one company 
 was supplied with horses, and given permission to hunt 
 along the line of march. The men at night prepared 
 the game they were able to secure, and invited their 
 comrades to share it with them. Many buffaloes, some 
 deer, and water- fowl, in this way supplemented the pro- 
 visions carried by the packhorses. 
 
 This diversion helped the men along their toilsome 
 way until they reached the Little Wabash River. Clark 
 acted as if he were enjoying himself, and indeed he 
 was filled with satisfaction as he realized that the 
 farther they advanced the more impossible it became to 
 retreat. Between the Little Wabash and the next river 
 all the country was under water. Instead of two dis- 
 tinct streams, a large body of water, five miles in width, 
 was to be crossed. Although much troubled by this 
 
 ^For the route across Illinois, see maprp. 17. 
 
38 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 difficulty, Clark laughed at it among his men, and at 
 once set them to work building a canoe. As soon as it 
 was completed a number of soldiers were sent in it to find 
 a camping place on the farther side. They found a bit 
 of ground, about half an acre in extent, toward which 
 the army proceeded to move. The channel of the first 
 river was about thirty yards wide and very deep. By 
 means of the canoe a scaffold was built on the farther 
 bank, to which the baggage was ferried. The horses 
 swam across and were reloaded, while the men were 
 brought over in the boat. 
 
 They marched through the water which covered the 
 land between the two rivers, being sometimes submerged 
 to their armpits. The few who were weak or ailing 
 were put into the canoe. The second river was crossed 
 as the first had been, and the piece of rising ground 
 reached on which they were to encamp. In spite of 
 these hardships the soldiers were in great spirits, and 
 indulged in much laughing and joking at one another's 
 expense. 
 
 During the day a boy, whom Clark afterwards called 
 "a little antic drummer," made great fun for the others 
 by floating on his drum. The men were sure now that 
 nothing could stop them. They felt ready for any 
 hardship or difficulty which might present itself and 
 talked together of marching on to Detroit as soon as 
 they had taken Vincennes. 
 
 All this gave their leader great satisfaction, though 
 
THROUGH THE "DROWNED LANDS. 
 
 39 
 
 he was far from sharing their confidence of easy victory. 
 On and on he led his little band, through rain, mud, 
 and water. Hunting was no longer possible, and pro- 
 visions began to run short. Many streams and creeks 
 had to be crossed, some of them very deep, which of 
 course meant much hard work for the soldiers. On and 
 on they marched, the country becoming worse as they 
 approached the Wabash. 
 
 During a halt Captain Kennedy and three men were 
 sent out in the canoe with orders to search for and cap- 
 ture boats. This was on the seventeenth of February. 
 All day the army waded through water, and it was 
 eight o'clock at night before a spot was found on which 
 a camp could be made. The place at last selected was 
 far from dry, as it was a piece of ground " from which 
 the water was falling." Here the men spent a miser- 
 able night, cold, wet, and hungry. In the morning 
 Kennedy returned, having met with no success in his 
 quest for boats. 
 
 The army was now near enough to Vincennes to hear 
 the sunrise gun from the fort. By two o'clock that 
 afternoon they found themselves on the bank of the 
 Wabash River, but unable to cross. Rafts were built 
 and men again sent out to seek for boats. They spent 
 a day and a night in the water, finding neither boats 
 nor dry land. 
 
 The situation was now desperate, as the men were 
 almost starving. They had had nothing to eat for two 
 
40 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 days, and in consequence became much cast down and 
 discouraged. Some of the volunteers even began to 
 talk of going back. Clark laughed at them, and told 
 them to go out and try to find a deer. They obeyed .his 
 order, and succeeded in killing one, to the great delight 
 of their hungry comrades. Clark set other men to 
 making canoes. I^ater a boat containing five French- 
 men was captured as it came down the river. These 
 men told Clark that the British in Vincennes as yet 
 knew nothing of his approach. 
 
 Early on the twenty-first the work of ferrying the 
 men across to a little hill was begun. Beyond this hill 
 was another stretch of flooded prairie. Once there, 
 there was nothing to do but go on; and on they went, 
 sometimes in water up to their necks. They had hoped 
 to reach Vincennes that night, but found it impossible, 
 being obliged to halt on the first available piece of 
 rising ground. They had traveled through the water, 
 and in the rain, without food, all day, but on the morn- 
 ing of the twenty-second again plunged into the flood 
 on the forward march. They advanced only three 
 miles during the whole day. Once more they encamped, 
 and once more marched on through the " drowned 
 lands." At one o'clock, on the twenty-third, they found 
 themselves in sight of Vincennes. 
 
 At one stage of their terrible journey, the water 
 became deeper and deeper as they went on. Clark 
 passed back word that it was growing shallower, and 
 
THROUGH THE "DROWNED LANDS." 41 
 
 the men pressed forward. When almost in despair him- 
 self it really became less deep, and he sent back a call 
 that woods were just ahead. This encouraged the men 
 to fresh exertions, as they hoped to find solid ground 
 under their feet when once among the trees. Here also 
 the ground was under water, but progress became 
 easier, as they could help themselves along by trees, 
 logs, and bushes. 
 
 At one place, after a long struggle through water 
 deeper than usual, the men were so exhausted on reach- 
 ing the rising ground that many of them fell at the 
 water's edge, and had to be dragged to places of safety. 
 Great fires were built, but some soldiers could only be 
 revived by being walked briskly up and down between 
 two stronger ones. It was here that a canoe, full of 
 corn, tallow, and buffalo meat, in charge of some squaws, 
 was captured. From these supplies great kettles of 
 soup were made for the famished men. 
 
 Clark at one time felt obliged to use another and a 
 sterner method of urging his men forward than any of 
 those that have been mentioned. Captain Bowman, 
 with twenty-five picked men, was ordered to keep in the 
 rear and shoot any man who should attempt to desert. 
 When the soldiers heard this order given they cheered 
 their commander, and said among themselves that he 
 was doing right. 
 
 In spite of all these hardships, as the army paused on 
 the elevation from which they could see Fort Sackville, 
 
42 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 their courage revived, so that they were quite ready to 
 march on that night and capture the town they had 
 toiled so hard to reach. 
 
 VIII. — The Capture of Fort Sackville. 
 
 The country between the hill, where the army had 
 halted, and the town of Vincennes, was rolling prairie. 
 The lowest ground was covered with pools of water, 
 which were alive with ducks. Several hunters on 
 horseback could be seen, and Colonel Clark sent a party 
 of his young volunteers in pursuit of them. One was 
 captured and brought before the American commander, 
 who questioned him closely. The prisoner said that the 
 English had on that day completed the repairs on the 
 fort, and that there were many Indians in town. He 
 thought that counting both white men and red there 
 were upwards of six hundred men in Vincennes. 
 
 Clark had hoped to add The IVi/lin^-^ s crew of fifty 
 to his own one hundred and seventy men, but as yet 
 nothing had been heard of her. He was much encour- 
 aged by the fact that the French citizens wished the 
 Americans well. He was also glad to learn that the 
 Indian chief. Tobacco's Son, had, only a few days 
 before, declared himself the friend of the Ivong Knives, 
 and this too in council with the British. 
 
 Clark knew that the presence of his army must soon 
 
THE CAPTURE OF FORT SACKVILLE. 
 
 43 
 
 be discovered, and so he sent a letter to the townspeople, 
 telling them that he meant to take the fort that night; 
 that all who were friends of the English must join them 
 in the fort, or take their chances outside; that all who 
 favored the Americans must prove it by keeping indoors. 
 This letter was so worded as to lead the people to believe 
 
 
 'A A* , 
 
 •^^tl-w- -vr^^^ 
 
 FORT SACKVIIvlyE. 
 
 that the army was from Kentucky. Messages were sent 
 to certain citizens in the names of well-known Ken- 
 tucky men. The soldiers were instructed to talk as if 
 they numbered at least a thousand. 
 
 As the bearer of the letter entered Vincennes, Clark 
 and his officers watched him through their field glasses. 
 Although there was soon a great stir in the town, the 
 
44 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 fort remained quiet. Clark concluded that the English 
 knew of his approach and were prepared for defense. 
 This, however, was not the case. They were celebrat- 
 ing the completion of the repairs, with feasting and 
 games, and were ignorant of the presence of an enemy. 
 
 Colonel Clark spoke to his men of the great impor- 
 tance of obeying orders implicitly. The men responded 
 with cheers, and made ready to follow their brave com- 
 mander wherever he should lead them. As the little 
 army moved slowly forward it marched, countermarched, 
 and displayed banners in such a way as to make it appear 
 from a distance that many hundred men were advancing. 
 Keeping under the hillocks, Clark delayed bringing his 
 men close to the town until after dark. 
 
 On arriving, lyieutenant Bailey was ordered to take 
 fourteen men and open fire on the fort, while the rest 
 took possession of the town. When the Americans 
 began to fire, the British thought nothing of it, suppos- 
 ing that some of the Indians were amusing themselves. 
 When one of their men was shot through a loophole 
 they awoke to the fact that a more formidable enemy 
 was at their gates. Games, pipes, and cards were tossed 
 aside, the drums beat the alarm, and the soldiers made 
 ready to defend the fort. The officers had heard that a 
 party of men was approaching Vincennes, and Captain 
 Lamothe had been sent out to reconnoiter, but they had 
 no idea that it was George Rogers Clark and his army. 
 
 The battle soon began in earnest, all of Clark's men, 
 
THE CAPTURE OF FORT SACKVILLE. 45 
 
 except a reserve of fift}^, taking part. Breastworks were 
 built near the fort, behind which the soldiers so con- 
 cealed themselves that the British could form no idea 
 of their numbers. At the corners of Fort Sackville 
 were blockhouses, in each of which was a cannon, which 
 did little harm to Clark's men, but damaged some of 
 the houses near by. These guns were quickly rendered 
 useless by the excellent marksmanship of the backwoods 
 soldiers. No sooner were the openings made for the 
 cannon, than such a volley of bullets poured in that 
 the British could not stand to their guns. Seven or 
 eight gunners were shot down at their posts. When 
 the openings were closed the Americans showered 
 taunts and abuse on their enemies, with the purpose of 
 inducing them to fire again. In this they were often 
 successful, but after a time the use of the cannon had to 
 be discontinued. 
 
 The American breastworks were within thirty yards 
 of the fort. Had the English been able to use their 
 cannon these must have been demolished, and many 
 soldiers killed. Keeping well under cover, according 
 to Clark's orders, the riflemen not only silenced the can- 
 non, but shot into the loopholes of the fort the moment 
 a shadow darkened one of them. Clark kept his men 
 firing and shouting at such a rate that the English 
 thought his force a great deal larger than it was. He 
 ordered a detachment to begin work on a mine, with a 
 view to blowing up the fort. He felt that he had no 
 
46 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 time to lose, for should the Indians decide to unite with 
 the British he knew he would be overpowered. 
 
 Captain lyamothe, the British officer who had been 
 sent out on the scouting expedition, was now very 
 anxious to join his comrades inside the fort. For some 
 time he hovered about, seeking a chance to enter, but 
 finding none. When Clark discovered this, he concluded 
 to let him get in, for fear he might stir up the Indians 
 against him. He withdrew his men to some little dis- 
 tance, ordering them not to fire on Lamothe, should he 
 attempt to get in. As he had foreseen, the British officer 
 at once made a dash for his friends. He and his men 
 were eagerly assisted by those within the fort, and all 
 were safely admitted, amid such taunts and jeers from 
 the Americans as must have told them that they had 
 been purposely allowed to enter. This made the English 
 surer than ever that Clark had a large force, for as 
 soon as these men were safely inside, the Americans 
 again opened fire. 
 
 It was not long before Hamilton sent word to Clark that 
 he wished a three-days' truce, and asked the American 
 commander to meet him at the gate of the fort. Clark 
 replied that he would agree to nothing but surrender, 
 although he was willing to meet General Hamilton, 
 with Captain Helm, in the church. This was arranged, 
 and the two commanders stood face to face. Captain 
 Helm, the American prisoner. Major Hay, an English 
 officer, and Captain Bowman were also present. 
 
THE CAPTURE OF FORT SACKVILLE. 47 
 
 Hamilton asked that his troops be permitted to go to 
 Pensacola in case of surrender. Clark answered that 
 this could not be allowed; that the British troops had 
 fought bravely and would not be worse treated in con- 
 sequence; that General Hamilton must know, that, as 
 the fort would surely be taken, any further fighting 
 would be murder; that the American soldiers were very 
 eager to storm the fort and could hardly be restrained; 
 that if they once got in, even he, himself, would not 
 be able to save a single man. 
 
 This was far from being satisfactory to General 
 Hamilton, and the two commanders were about to part 
 without coming to any agreement, when Clark said, 
 
 "Firing will not begin. Your Excellency, until after 
 the drums give the alarm." 
 
 "Why do you refuse all terms but unconditional sur- 
 render?" asked Hamilton. 
 
 "Because," said Clark frankly, "there are among 
 your officers some of those who set the Indians to mur- 
 dering our friends and relations on the Kentucky border. 
 I wish to put those men to death for the wrong they 
 have done. They are Indian partisans." 
 
 " Pray, sir, " broke in Major Hay, "who is it that 
 you call an Indian partisan? " 
 
 "Sir," replied Colonel Clark, "I take Major Hay to 
 be one of the principals." 
 
 At this Hay turned deadly pale, and trembled so that 
 Clark knew he had judged rightly; Hamilton seemed 
 
48 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 greatly disturbed. Once more terms of surrender were 
 discussed, and Hamilton felt forced to give way. An 
 official paper was made out and signed as follows: 
 
 1. L/ieutenant-Governor Hamilton engages to deliver 
 up to Colonel Clark Fort Sackville, as it is at present, 
 with all stores, etc. 
 
 2. The garrison are to deliver themselves as prisoners 
 of war and march out, with arms, accoutrements, etc. 
 
 3. The garrison to be delivered up at ten o'clock 
 to-morrow. 
 
 4. Three days to be allowed the garrison to settle 
 their accounts with the inhabitants and traders of the 
 place. 
 
 5. The officers of the garrison to be allowed their 
 necessary baggage, etc. 
 
 Signed at Fort Vincent (Vincennes), 24th February, 
 
 1779. 
 Agreed for the following reasons: The remoteness 
 from succor, the state and quantity of provisions, etc., 
 unanimity of officers and men in its expediency, the 
 honorable terms allowed, and, lastly, the confidence in 
 a generous enemy. 
 
 Signed, Henry Hamilton, 
 Lieutenant-Governor and Superintendent. 
 
 While terms of surrender were being discussed, a party 
 of twenty Indians, who had just returned from a raid on 
 the Kentucky settlements, was seen approaching the 
 town. An American captain, John Williams, and some 
 of his men, went out to meet them. They uttered the 
 cry of successful warriors, and Captain Williams an- 
 
THE CAPTURE OF FORT SACKVILLE. 49 
 
 swered their signs. The Indians fired a salute, and 
 Williams's men did the same. When the two parties 
 were within a short distance of each other the chief 
 stopped; Williams quickly seized him, and the Indians 
 turned and ran, the white men in pursuit. A number 
 of savages were killed outright, others were taken pris- 
 oners, and later on killed under the very walls of the 
 fort. This was done to show the other Indians how 
 powerless the English were to protect them. 
 
 When Clark saw the inside of the fort, with its plen- 
 tiful stores, he was much surprised that he had won so 
 easy a victory. He decided to release some of his 
 prisoners, who were volunteers from Detroit, as he had 
 more on his hands than he could well care for. He 
 told these young men that he knew they had been led 
 away by their love of adventure; that instead of being 
 sent as prisoners to Virginia they could go back to 
 Detroit and tell their friends what kind of conquerors 
 the Americans were. The young volunteers were only 
 too glad to do this, and afterwards made many friends 
 for the American cause among the citizens of Detroit. 
 
 Word came that boats loaded v/ith stores for Fort 
 Sackville were on their way from Detroit, and Captain 
 Helm was sent out to intercept them. This he was for- 
 tunately able to do, and a valuable prize was thus 
 secured. The provisions were taken for public use, and 
 the goods divided among the soldiers. 
 
 Captain Rogers, of The Willing^ soon joined Clark 
 
50 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 at Vincennes, greatly regretting that he had arrived too 
 late to take part in the attack. He and Captain Williams 
 were later sent to Virginia in charge of Hamilton, his 
 officers, and some men. Hamilton was treated with 
 great severity in Virginia prisons, but after a time was 
 released and exchanged. 
 
 IX. — The Delaware Indians. 
 
 After his victory Colonel Clark sent no message to 
 the Indians, but waited to see what effect the news would 
 have upon them. They very soon began to flock into 
 Vincennes for the purpose of making peace. Clark told 
 them he was glad to take their promises, but that if these 
 promises were ever broken the Long Knives would not 
 trust the Indians again. After much ceremony, and 
 many speeches, belts were exchanged, peace pipes 
 smoked, and a number of treaties signed. I^ieutenant 
 Richard Brashear was left in charge of Fort Sack vi lie, 
 with one hundred men. Captain Helm was made com- 
 mandant of the town, and put in charge of Indian 
 affairs. 
 
 On the twentieth of March, Clark, and the rest of his 
 men, embarked on The Willing for Kaskaskia. On 
 their way up the Mississippi they saw several new 
 Indian camps. They learned, wdien they reached Kas- 
 kaskia, that some Delaware Indians had been in town a 
 
THE DELAWARE INDIANS. 
 
 51 
 
 few days before behaving very badly, some of them even 
 going so far as to flash their guns at white women. 
 Some passing soldiers had come to the rescue, and 
 driven the Indians away. 
 
 Later on, word came from Captain Helm that a party 
 of traders had been killed by Del a wares near Vincennes. 
 Clark at once sent out a company to find their camps 
 and villages. He distrusted these savages, and felt that 
 he ought to destroy them if he could. They had, at one 
 time, made a sort of peace treaty with the Americans, 
 but he knew that they really wanted war. He was 
 glad that he now had the opportunity of showing the 
 other tribes what the Long Knives would do with those 
 who dared to make war against them. 
 
 He sent orders to the soldiers at Vincennes to attack 
 the Delawares at once; to kill the men, but spare the 
 women and children. Accordingly their camps were de- 
 stroyed, many Indians killed, and many taken prisoners. 
 The Delawares then asked for peace, but were told that 
 they dare not lay down the hatchet without permission 
 from Colonel Clark; but that a message would be sent 
 for them to Kaskaskia. Clark sent back word that he 
 would not grant peace; that he never trusted those who 
 once broke faith; but that if they could get other tribes 
 to be their security he would let them alone. 
 
 The Delawares then called a council, at which Clark's 
 answer was made public. The Piankeshaws promised 
 to be security for the good faith and conduct of the 
 
52 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 Delawares. Tobacco's Son made a speech, in which he 
 blamed them severely. 
 
 "I gave you permission to settle in this country," 
 said he, "but not to kill my friends. If you offend 
 again, I, myself, will punish you. I swear it by the 
 Sacred Bow." 
 
 This bow was then brought out. It was a wonderful 
 affair, decorated with feathers, eagles' tails, a pipe of 
 peace, and many trinkets. At one end was a spear, six 
 inches long, which had been dipped in blood. This 
 bow could only be handled by the greatest chiefs. It 
 made a profound impression on the frightened Dela- 
 wares, who were now only too glad to declare themselves 
 at peace with the I^ong Knives. 
 
 X. — Back in Kentucky. 
 
 The first messenger sent to Virginia, with news of 
 the victory at Vincennes, was killed on the way; but 
 when the Virginians finally learned what Clark had done 
 there was great rejoicing. The brave soldiers, and their 
 braver commander, were praised on every side. The 
 assembly presented Colonel Clark with a fine sword, in 
 recognition of his "distinguished services." 
 
 But the troops promised for an expedition against 
 Detroit were not sent; Clark therefore decided to go 
 back to Kentucky, making his way by the river to the 
 
BACK IN KENTUCKY. 53 
 
 Falls of the Ohio. He found that many new settlers 
 had come to Kentucky, and this caused him to hope that 
 he might soon so increase his army as to be able to 
 march against the British. He made a careful plan for 
 the laying in of large stores of jerked meat for army 
 supplies, but his hunters were so harassed by the Indians 
 that nothing came of it. 
 
 Corn Island had been abandoned, and a fort built on 
 the Kentucky side of the river. Clark set himself at 
 work strengthening this fort and preparing it for defense. 
 This was really the foundation of the city of lyouisville. 
 Clark drew a plan for a magnificent city, laying out 
 many parks and public grounds. If these ideas had 
 been carried out lyouisville would now be one of the 
 most beautiful cities in the country; but as the town 
 around the fort grew larger much of the public land 
 was sold. Colonel Clark also drew up maps and plans 
 for a city to be built opposite Louisville, which he 
 hoped would be called Clarksville. 
 
 Clark now became anxious to have a fort built at the 
 mouth of the Ohio. This, he felt, would strengthen 
 the American claim to the newly conquered Illinois 
 country. He hoped also to establish other forts to the 
 north, which would keep the Indians farther away from 
 Kentucky. 
 
 In 1780 he went, with a small force, to a place on the 
 Mississippi called Iron Banks, four or five miles below 
 the mouth of the Ohio River. Here he built several 
 
54 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 blockhouses, and a fort called Fort Jefferson. Soon 
 after its completion it was besieged by one thousand 
 Choctaw and Cherokee Indians. Within were only 
 thirty men, some of whom were sick; water was scarce, 
 and, at one time, the only food was unripe pumpkins. 
 The men had no thought of surrender, however, and 
 finally succeeded in driving off their foes. 
 
 The Indians were entrapped into a certain position, 
 where a cannon, loaded with rifle and musket balls, 
 could be brought to bear on them. It was fired into 
 their ranks, when they were crowded together, with 
 deadly effect. They drew off in haste, and made no 
 more assaults; and after hovering about the neighbor- 
 hood until Clark arrived with reinforcements, they dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 Clark so feared an expedition from Detroit that he 
 planned to avert it by making the first attack himself. 
 With this in view he set out from Fort Jefferson for Har- 
 rodsburg, with only two companions. He was undertak- 
 ing a most dangerous journey, for the country between 
 the two places was full of hostile Indians. Clark and his 
 men painted their faces and dressed like savages, hoping 
 in this way to elude their foes. They were, in conse- 
 quence, fired on by some white men who mistook them 
 for Indians; fortunately no one was hurt. I^iving on 
 buffalo meat and game, and crossing the swollen streams 
 on rafts made of logs and grapevines, the travelers 
 reached Harrodsburg in safety. 
 
BACK IN KENTUCKY. 55 
 
 Clark began at once to raise troops, for he knew that 
 the situation was serious. Kentucky was threatened by 
 the British, and harassed by Indians. News came that 
 an expedition had really been planned by the English 
 and their savage allies against Kaskaskia and Cahokia. 
 Then word arrived that an army of seven hundred and 
 fifty men was already on the way south ; that American 
 traders had been taken on the Mississippi; that workers 
 in the lead mines had been made prisoners. 
 
 These threatening and real dangers caused great 
 alarm in Kentucky. Clark decided to attack his ene- 
 mies, not only to punish them, but to calm the fears of 
 his frightened countrymen. He gathered together, at 
 the mouth of the Licking River, all the able-bodied men 
 in the vicinity. 
 
 These troops marched at once, one thousand strong, 
 to an Indian village north of the Ohio River, carrying 
 a cannon with them on the back of a pack horse. The 
 Indians fled on hearing of the approach of the white 
 men, who burned the village to the ground as soon as 
 they reached it. They then went on to Piqua, an 
 Indian town of well-built log houses, gardens of corn 
 and beans, and a strong blockhouse. The white men 
 opened an attack, and the Indians retreated so skillfully 
 as to lose only a few of their number. The village was 
 burned and the crops destroyed. One other Indian 
 town was burned before the pioneers turned towards 
 home. 
 
^6 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 During this time things were going very badly at 
 Fort Jefferson, as there were but few men in the gar- 
 rison. One by one these sickened, died, or deserted; and 
 finally the fort was abandoned. 
 
 XL — Lochry's Defeat. 
 
 Colonel Clark, in 1781, was still very anxious to 
 march against Detroit. He called a council of war at 
 the Falls of the Ohio to consider the number of troops 
 needed, and how they could be fed. He then went to 
 Virginia, hoping to get help there; but during his stay 
 the British, under Arnold, invaded the state. He laid 
 aside his own hopes and plans long enough to help his 
 countrymen repel this invasion. 
 
 Both Governor Thomas Jefferson and General George 
 Washington approved of Clark's plans, and promised to 
 do what they could to further them. They were able 
 to do very little, however, and he experienced great 
 difficulty in securing men. Indeed there were, this 
 time, very few who were not already in the continental 
 army, or desperately needed at home. 
 
 Clark had hoped to leave Fort Pitt on June fifteenth, 
 with two thousand men. He was obliged to start down 
 the river with only four hundred, but expecting other 
 troops to follow. One division of these was commanded 
 by Colonel Lochry of Pennsylvania, who started in July 
 
lochry's defeat. 57 
 
 to join Clark, but met with many delays. Clark, after 
 waiting for him at Wheeling five days longer than he 
 had planned, was then obliged to move on with his 
 restless soldiers. He left boats and provisions for 
 Lochry, who came the next day and immediately fol- 
 lowed him down the river. Ivochry was again delayed, 
 and, instead of meeting Clark at the place decided on, 
 arrived there one day too late. Clark moved his troops 
 to the mouth of the Kanawha River, but they were so 
 uner.sy and dissatisfied that he did not dare remain. He 
 left a letter on a pole for lyochry, telling him to come on 
 as quickly as possible. 
 
 Misfortunes followed thick and fast. lyochry's party 
 did not know the channel of the river; their supplies 
 became exhausted, and they at last lost all hope of 
 catching up with Clark. Captain Shannon, with seven 
 men, was sent down the river in a fast boat, to overtake 
 Clark and tell him the plight of his friends. These 
 men were captured by Indians, who read the letter telling 
 Clark of Lochry 's forlorn condition. 
 
 The British, and their Indian allies, had thought 
 Clark's and Lochry's parties were together, but now, 
 knowing them to be miles apart, they at once decided to 
 attack the weaker force. Three hundred of them 
 watched their oppottu^ity at the mouth of the Great 
 Miami River, where they won an easy victory. Forty 
 Americans were killed, and the rest of the party cap- 
 tured. 
 
58 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 Great was the distress in Pennsylvania when the 
 news of this defeat arrived, for Lochry's expedition had 
 been made up of some of the best and bravest men in 
 the state, and of these there were none to spare. Clark 
 was overwhelmed with grief and chagrin, for this dis- 
 aster destroyed his hope of being able to march against 
 Detroit. 
 
 XII. — Border Troubles. 
 
 After lyochry's defeat Clark went to the Falls of the 
 Ohio, where he found trouble and toil awaiting him. 
 There were difficulties between citizens and soldiers at 
 Vincennes, and trouble of the same sort in the Illinois 
 towns. Kaskaskia was in constant peril; food and sup- 
 plies were scarce everywhere. In Kentucky many 
 people had been obliged to give up their farms and 
 move into the forts; whole families had been destroyed 
 by the Indians, and the settlements were full of widows 
 and orphans. One brave man. Colonel Floyd, had gone 
 in pursuit of the Indians with twenty-five men. He had 
 met a band of two hundred savages and been defeated. 
 
 Clark went to work with his unfailing courage and 
 ability, first calling a council of war. Some were in 
 favor of an expedition against the Indians, others of 
 building more forts along the Ohio, still others of 
 attempting another outpost at the mouth of the river. 
 Clark advised a stronger fort at the falls, which was built, 
 
BORDER TROUBLES. 59 
 
 and called Fort Nelson. Two others were also erected 
 near by. Fort Nelson contained about an acre of ground, 
 and was surrounded by a ditch eight feet deep and ten 
 feet wide. The breastworks were log pens filled with 
 earth; and pickets ten feet high were planted on them. 
 Inside of the fort was a spring of running water. 
 
 Clark decided to have the river patrolled by armed 
 boats. He asked the government for means to build 
 them, but did not receive any money, for the simple 
 reason that there was none in the treasury of Virginia. 
 Although disappointed he was not discouraged, but set 
 to work to do the next best thing. He built a gunboat 
 himself and armed it with cannon. This boat patrolled 
 the river, from the falls to where the city of Cincinnati 
 now stands, and did good service. 
 
 In the spring of 1782, another Indian war broke out. 
 Esthill's Station was first attacked and captured. A 
 little later several hundred Indians attacked Bryant's 
 Station. Here they were not successful, but by this 
 time the settlers were greatly alarmed. One hundred 
 and eighty-two men quickly got together to fight the 
 Indians. They met them at a place called Blue Licks, 
 and a fierce battle was fought, in which one third of 
 the Kentuckians lost their lives. 
 
 Clark was then called on to command the men who 
 were assembling from all the western settlements. By 
 November he was able to lead an army of over one 
 thousand frontiersmen towards the Indian villages on 
 
6o GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 the Miami River. As was usually the case, the savages 
 fled at the approach of the white men, who destroyed a 
 number of towns, and all crops and provisions. This 
 brought such poverty and famine on the Indians that 
 they were, for the time, completely crushed. They 
 ceased to harass the Kentucky border, and kept to the 
 north of the Ohio River. 
 
 XIII. — After the War. 
 
 When the treaty of peace between the United States 
 and Great Britain was signed the American people 
 began to realize the great value of George Rogers 
 Clark's services to his country. The Northwest Terri- 
 tory, which included what are now the states of Ohio, 
 Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, was in 
 American, not English hands. Had it not been so, 
 England might have kept this territory for herself. 
 
 Virginia, now one of the United States, finding her- 
 self exhausted by the seven years' war,, had neither 
 money nor supplies for Clark's army in the west. For 
 these reasons he was relieved of his command in 1783. 
 A letter was sent him containing many expressions of 
 Virginia's appreciation of his services. Nevertheless 
 he was left without work or money. He found him- 
 self obliged to take the long journey to Williamsburg 
 in such poverty and distress that he was in need of 
 
AFTER THE WAR. 6l 
 
 even necessary clothing. He went to ask for a little of 
 the money he had so hardly earned. Twenty years 
 after his death the government paid his heirs thirty 
 thousand dollars on his account. Five or six years 
 before he died he was allowed a pension of four hundred 
 dollars a year. In the meantime he was a poor man. 
 
 In January, 1785, Clark and two other men, Butler 
 and Lee, were sent by the United States government to 
 make treaties with the Wyandotte, Chippewa, and Ottawa 
 Indians. The council was held at Fort Mcintosh, on 
 the Ohio River. The greatest of the chiefs, on seeing 
 Clark, took him by the hand and said, " I thank the 
 Great Spirit for having this day brought together two 
 such great warriors as Buckongehelas and General 
 Clark." 
 
 The next January, Clark, Butler, and Parsons were 
 sent to make a treaty with the Shawnees. Three hun- 
 dred Indians arrived at the meeting place, gay with 
 paint and feathers. As the garrison of the fort num- 
 bered only seventy men, this was rather alarming. One 
 Indian made a bold speech, which so excited the others 
 that they whooped at every pause. The chief presented 
 black and white wampum, signifying that he was ready 
 for either peace or war. 
 
 General Clark pushed these belts off the table as if 
 they were of no consequence, at which all the Indians 
 started up with a savage cry. Clark rose to his feet, 
 glared at them a moment, then stamped his foot, and 
 
62 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 ordered them to "get out." They left at once, and 
 held council together all night; in the morning they 
 sued for peace. 
 
 The men who had gone with Clark to the Illinois 
 country received the land promised them in the con- 
 quered territory. One thousand acres, opposite I^ouis- 
 ville, was set aside for a town to be called Clarksville. 
 
 
 COIvONEI. CIvARK S HOME AT CI.ARKSVILI,E. 
 
 To this settlement General Clark now gave his time and 
 attention, laying plans for a fine city, which, however, 
 were never realized. Twenty or thirty families settled 
 in the new town, and Clark himself lived there, in a 
 little log house on the river bank. 
 
 As he grew older he became much broken in health, 
 and paralysis finally disabled him. In his helplessness 
 he fell one day, so near the fire that one leg was terribly 
 burned. 
 
AFTER THE WAR. 
 
 63 
 
 ■ It became necessary to cut off the injured limb, and 
 the old soldier bravely ordered the surgeon to "go 
 ahead." Chloroform was not used in those days, and 
 the only help for a man iu such a case was his own 
 courage. General Clark asked that the drums and fifes 
 might be played for him while the operation was in 
 progress, and to the music he kept time with his fingers 
 during the long two hours of agony. 
 
 The sword presented to Clark in 1779 had been 
 bought for the purpose. In 181 2 the Virginia legisla- 
 
 THE SWORD PllKSRXTED TO COLQNEI. CI.ARK BY THE STATE 
 OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 ture ordered one made to take its place. At the time of 
 its presentation General Clark was living on the Ken- 
 tucky side of the river with his sister. To General 
 Mercer, who had been sent to him with the sword, it is 
 said he made the following reply: 
 
 " You have made a very handsome address, and the 
 sword is very handsome, too. When Virginia needed a 
 sword I gave her one^ I am too old and infirm, as you 
 see, ever to use a sword again, but I am glad that my 
 
64 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 
 
 old mother state has not forgotten me, and I thank her for 
 the honor, and yon for your kindness and friendly words." 
 
 General Clark died February thirteenth, 1818, old, 
 paralyzed, crippled, poor, and with clouded mind. He 
 was buried in private ground at I^ocust Grove, just out 
 of lyouisville. Fifty years later his remains were re- 
 moved to the lyOuisville cemetery, at Cave Hill, where 
 they now rest, marked by a simple headstone. 
 
 In the city of Indianapolis, in February, 1895, ^ 
 monument was erected in his honor. 
 
 y 
 
 MONUMENT TO GKNERAI. GEORGK ROGERS CLARK AT INDIAN- 
 APOLIS, INDIANA. 
 
LbJa;4