The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-03
the present day, he will observe that the

the present day, he will observe that the
capture OF Kaskaskia only secured pos.
session OF the enemy's right flank, and
that TO complete the destruction Of his
power In that region 1t would be neces'
sary TO extend the campaign far enough
north and east. at least 10 Vincennes.
This was the strongest hold the enemy
had south OF Detroit Situated on the
Wabash, which was commonly out OF ito
banks. il was defended by strong fort,
mounting artillery and pierced for rifle
service, so situated as to command the
town and all approaches to ii. Clarke
had never relinqushed the idea
of getting possession of this
place He was now the more
anxious to carry out his purpose, because
among the official papers captured at Has
kaskia were found orders from Detroit,
the British headquarters, requiring the
enlisting the savages, and for other prep
arations looking to a new and general in
vasion OF Kentucky in the coming spring
The same orders, he knew, had been dis
patched TO Vincennes, hence the greater
necessity for capturing that place. with
all his concern on this point he was not
able t0 move. II would be long march,
his fore. was too small for such an nm
dertakint. and failure in that direction
won d leave his rear exposed 10 attack.
Thus any fruitless adventure at that par
ticular time might result in the loss Of
what he had already acc omplished.
W. have referred above 10 the growing
partial Of the French inhabitants OF
the captured country under the wise mea-
sures Of The cOnqueror. Among those
! found at Kaskaskia when 1t fell into
Clarkes hands was a Catholic priest who
was visitor at the place, and whose
| home was at Vincennes. He indeed was
the officiating minister at the latter place
/ The Rev NJ. Gbault had become the
| friend Of the American cause. Clarke, III
! his anxiety as to his position, fell upon
new plan Of operations He sent for Mr.
| Gibault and had a consultation with him.
| helving upon the attachment OF the
| Catholic priest TO himself and American
interests. he proposed that he should go
at once 10 Vncennes, explain the condi-
ton OF things TO his people, inform them
of the treaty lately made with the French
nation. and use all his influence 10 pre-
vail upon them 10 renOunce the British
yoke. Gibault at once agreed 10 the pro-
posal, and departed on bis mission. Up
on arriving at Vincennes, he found Gov
ernor Hamilton had gone TO Detroit, and
the post occupied by a vcry'small garrison.
He FASTENED to assemble his people, and
pat before them the true state
Of the case He explained the
nature Of Clarke's purposes and
the policy he had adopted; told how
their cmpatriots had been treated by the
Americans, and contrasted their condl-
ton with that of the people at kaskaskia
Upon showing his authority from Colo
mel larke to enter iato engagements
with them upon the liberal principles just
set forth bv himself, the entire population
agreed to his proposals, and at once took
the oath of allegiance TO the State OF
Virginia Gibault now returned to kas-
kaskia with the welcome news to Clarke,
whose establishment was only equalled by
his delight at the result Of his timely ne
gotiations. One of his most trusted Off
GERS, Can ain Helm Of West Augusta
county, Va, was dispatched to take com
manG Of this new acquisition.
Immediately after his success on the
Mississippi Clarke had sent information
of it to Williamsburg, and begging for re-
Inducements The distance was so great,
and the time consumed in transmitting
dispatches through the wilderness, to-
gether with the dangers attending 1t,
were reasons for his not indulging much
hope in that direction. II he could have
gotten even a small addition TO his al
ready diminished command he might
have been able to put into the fort at
Vincennes such a force as would have
held i, permanently. As it was Captain
Helm was only commander in name.
The result of this unfortunate state OF
things will be seen hereafter