The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-26


troit The invasion Of Canada with which
the colonists opened thor struggle caused
oven the few scanty garrisons at Kaskas-
l,ia, Vinccnrcs, and other points on the Hi
nois and Wabash, to be hastily withdrawn
t. Detroit and Fort Niagara for the region
was one to which few ties ~ race, language,
or history bound the colonies. and, rs it's al
lcgiance was not doubted, so no fear was
felt Of an attack by the colonists on a region
so distant, SO infested with Indian allies of
the King, and OF so little immediate military
Importance.
But in the year 1777 GEORGE RodERs
CLARK, one OF the hardy woOdsmcn who had
only n few years before begun the settle
ment OF that part OF Virginia now the state
OF Kentucky, conceived the plan OF con-
quering and bringing under the Govern
mcnt OF the United States the region north
OF the Ohio. Journeying to tho capital Of
Virginia, he made known his scheme to a
few leading men, and at once received the
necessary Legislative authority for his ex-
petition with money and recruiting powers.
With a total force OF 1850 stalwart men,
CLARK set of in boats down the Ohio in
May. 1878. ana at the final rendezvous, near
by Kcntuckans to total of $780, Starting
thence in the latter part OF June. he con-
tnuod his course. turned into the Missis-
sipp and landed near Kaskaskia, on July ..
On the Fourth Of July he surprised this
place, which was at once surrendered by its
Governor, RocHEBLAvE, Frenchman, who
no troops TO defend il. Officers sent TO
Vah,i,i, nd Ninccnncs found them also I'M
,,or,,ea,,od q, Us with Kaskaskia, the i'll
hnbItonts rromntly "cecptcd the authority
Of the United States I'm 'uoeu'y que re-
cont tidngs OF the French ala. uoo ,siu ",i
influence on these settlements of 'eneh
origin.
Hearing OF CLARK's expedition, Lieut.
Gov. HAMILTON, at Detroit, took the field in
person to overthrow it, assembling for that
purpose n few regular and volunteer troops
and $50 Indians. Leaving Detroit on Oct. T.
l77s, he took possession OF Ninccnncs by the
middle OF December, capturing its entire
garrison, consisting Of Capt. HELM and one
private, whom CLARK had sent thithcr. A
recent Ninccnncs writer has declared that
capt. HELM, by a series OF wonderfully
adroit strategic movements, not only held
the British Mt bay, but was enabled to exact
terms from them; he and his companion
then marched out. aud laid down their
arms But these wonderful strategic move
mcnts OF two people may be safely as
cribcd to q patriotic Imagination.
After takiaY Ninccnncs, HAMILTON con-
tented himself with sending out expedition
AIRY parties to rcconnoitrc and cnt of sup
plies, intending to march against CLARK in
~ a n
his policy and intent than he at once lett
kaskastia TO attack him. Taking $50 men,
after a hard march, sometimes breast deep
in water, he reached Vinconncs Feb. %, 1919,
and entered the village, which once more
rendered W.. bout rcsistance-thc third
time within eight mon,-9' lie Immediately
invested tho fort with his Tlhemen, who
threw up intrcnchments In tue night, ahi
easily silcnccd its two small cannon. Delore
the night Of the cath HAMILTON and his
little garrison, weakened by the forces he
had sent away, surrendered; and on the
morning Of the 25th CLARK entered the fort
in triumph.
Such Vas the affair which from that time
forth left the United States in undisputcd
possession of the whole region south Of De-
troit, as far west as the Mississippi. The
Virginia Legislature, on hearing of the ex-
plot, thanked Col CLARK for having rescued
from British dominion "all the important
posts Gnd settlements on the Illinois and
Wabash" and gave 900 acres OF land to
every soldier in his corps" JErFEEsoN pre-
dctcd that this expedition will have an
important bearing ultimately In establish
ing our northwestern boundary" Vnccnnes
has done well to celebrate this event IN it's
history.