The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-06-16
VOL. 4, NO. SO.
.gtngraphies.
[FoR THE pREsS.l
George Rogers Clarke.
BY W. D.

George Z. Clarke, Colonel in the service of
Virginia, against the Indians in the revolution
airy war, was among the best soldiers, and bet
ter acquainted with the Indian warfare than any
officer in the army. While his countrymen on
the sea-board were contending with the British
regulars, he was the efficient protector of the
people of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania from the inroads of the savages
The history of his exploits Mr. Editor would,
if had the leisure to write it, fill volume: and
for hair-breadth escapes and hardy enterprise,
would compare favorably with any of the heroic
tales SO often told by backwoodsmen, and think
this one of him, would scarce have parallel even
there
The legislature of Virginia claiming the coun-
try conquered by Col Clarke, comprehended it
within the new country Of which they erected
and called by the name of Illinois
A regiment of Infantry, and one troop of Cav
airy, were voted for its defence or protection
the command Of which was given to Col Clarke;
whose former regiment was dissolved, by the ex-
pration of its term of service; and who well
merited this new expression of public confidence,
by the entire success of his late enterprises; by
his known courage by his singular capacity for
Indian warfare
The families who came to the Falls of Ohio
with Col Clarke, in the year 1878, were the first
settlers at that place. Considering their exposed
situation on the extremity of Kentucky, detached
seventy miles from the other settlements, and in
the vicinity of several hostile tribes of Indians,
and British posts, it was deemed expedient to
erect their first cabins on the principal Island in
the falls, and there they raised corn that year.
Greatlywere these adventures interested in the
success of COL Clarke's expedition
Nor was it long before they heard of the fall
of Kaskaskia Pleasing as was this intelligence,
it did not afford to them the wanted security
There was yet post ST. Vineents, more inn
mediately in their neighborhood, and replensheta
with Indians The capture of this place was
to them the mandate of liberation from their in
sular situation, and an invitation to remove to
the Kentucky shore Hence the origin of the
settlement at the site of Louisville
A stand being once made at the falls, and the
garrison freed from the contracted and inconyeni-
ent limits of the Island soon accumulated strength
from accession of numbers, and Importance from
its becoming the residence of Col Clarke with
his regiment
The year 1779 early felt in various ways, the
effect of Col. Clarke's expedition and success
general confidence prevailed in the country
which extended itself abroad; and while it
brought more emigrants into Kentucky, it en-
couraged an extension of the settlements. About
the first of April, a block-house was built where
Lexington now stands, and new settlement be-
gan there under the auspices of Robert Patter-
son, who may be considered an early and meri-
torious adventurer, much engaged in the defence
of the country and who was afterwards promo
ted to the rank of Colonel Several persons
raised corn at the place that year, and in the au
tumn, John Morrison, afterwards major, re-
moved his family from Harrisburg, and Mrs.
Morrison was the first white woman at Licking
ton; so named to commemorate the battle at
Lexington, the first which took place in the war
of the revolution.
In this year, Col Clarke descended the Ohio
river, with part of his regiment, and after en-
tering the Mississippi, at the first high land on
the eastern bank, landed the troops, and built,
what was afterwards called Fort Jefferson.
In military view, this position was well cho-
sen; and had it been well fortified, and furnish
ed with cannon, would have commanded the
river.
Without doubt. at some future day, it will
be place of great Importance in the western
country.
It is within the limits of Kentucky, and never
sboud be alienated suitable garrison at
that place, should it ever be necessary, would
hold in check both the upper and lower Mis-
sissippi.
| In 1881, Col. Clarke received Generals COM
mission, and had the chief command in Ken
lucky.
row galley was constructed under his d.
rection, which was to ply up and down the Ohio,
as moving battery for the northwestern ron
tier, and which is supposed to have had very
good effect in frightening the Indians, for none
dared to attack it nor were they so free as
heretofore in crossing the river; indeed, there
is a tradition that its passage up the Ohio, once
as far as the mouth of Licking river had the effect
to sion an expedition, which a formidable party