Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-04-28
VOL. VINO. 26.

country. The plan met the enthusiastic
appreciation of his men, except the COM
pany from Kentucky under Capt billiard
large part of which, with the Lieutenant.
on the morning appointed for starting, the
worthy Captain had the modification to
find, had waded the river and deserted -
They were pursued in the morning, over
taken IN the woods about twenty miles
from the Falls, and eight taken back the
rest afterwards wandered in the woods for
some weeks, where they suffered greater
deprivation and hardships than their com
rades, who had gone on the expedition,
before they could get into fort
On the 28th of June, l77S, and during
total eclipse of the sun, Col Clark, with
four companies commanded by Captains
Montgomery, Helm, Bowman and Harrod,
left the Falls of the Ohio, on their forloru
enterprise. Near the mouth of the Ten
nessee river, he found John Duff, with
party of hunters, who had recently come
from kaskaskia and who could give inn
portant information They reported that
Mr. Rocheblave still commanded that
| the militia were kept in good discipline :;
that spies were stationed along the Mis-.
slsslppi; that rumor had reached there,
that the Long g-knives" had projected an
attack, and that the hunters and Indians
had received orders to keep watch and re-
port if any American troops were coming
that way. They also reported, that the
fort was kept in good order, as place of
retreat but was without regular garri-
son. These hunters offered to return with
the invaders. The party landed near
Fort Massac, and secured their boats in
a small creek
Whoever has travelled by Land from
Fort Massac to Kaskaskia in the early
settlements of that district. car under
stand the difficulties to be encountered,
and the hardships to be endured by the
gallant band The whole distance was
wilderness without a path Ponds,
swamps and water-courses had to be wad-
ed. Clark, who acted under Colonels
commission, had left all his baggage aud
provisions at Corn Island. except such as
were absolutely necessary, and as his men
could carry on foot
Under these circumstances. Col Clark
took up the line of march across the in
tervening wilderness. Let us pause a
moment and calculate the chances of a
discovery by the Indians and spies who
were on the watch-by consequent am
buscade, and by finding the forts he in
tended to conquer, prepared to give his
troops a warm reception, and dictate terms
of capitulation. For the most part of their
route. they found the game on which
they depended for subsistence, and the
water, scarce On the third day, John
Saunders, their principal guide, got so be-
wildered that be could not direct their
course. Suspicion of design to betray
them instantly arose among the men, and
they earnestly demanded he shcaid be
put to death. After wandering over the
prairies for few hours, be recollected
the course, and. on the Fourth of July,
!775, they arrived within a short distance
of KaSkaskia, aud concealed themselves
in the woods, until night, when they again
marched
Col Clark now divided his force into
three parties Two of these crossed the
river, and repaired to different parts of
the town, while the third division enter
ed and took possession of the fort
Kaskaskia then contained about 25O
houses. Persons who could speak the
French language, were ordered to pass
through the streets and make proclama-
tion, that all the inhabitants must keep
within their houses under penalty of be-
ing shot down in the streets In about
two hours after the surprise of the town.
the inhabitants had all surrendered and
delivered up their arms to the conqueror
Not drop of blood had been shed, though
the victory was complete. The whole
management displayed in a most admira
bic manner, what the French style raGse
de guerTe, the policy of war. NJ. Roche
blave, the Governor was taken in his
chamber; but his public papers and doc
uments were admirably concealed or des-
troyed by his wife.
[Conclrded next week