The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-19
HOW PIERRE FOUND HISFATHERI
a Story of Vincarras
A Story of Vincennes.
BS- NrEEeeDITII ~IcHoLsorV.
[copyrIght. 1gge. by MeredIth Nlcholsonl

Pierre DcleaN was not tlInid boy. but
when he raised his hand to sound the
knocker on Col. George Rogers Clark's door
al Fort Kaskaskia one cold day in Febru-
airy. l779 his heart thumped at distressing
rate. The loghouse before which he stood
was not imposing, but 1t was the headduar-
tiers Of the American army and the fame
Of the distinguished Virginia soldier was
such that a small boy of fifteen might well
be anxious for his reception.
come inr' called a gruf voice. and
Pierre lifted the latch Colonel Clark was
alone in The room busily writing at a rough
table. lie continued to scratch with his
Quill while Pierre closed the door. In
moment Colonel Clark turned so quickly
that Pierre dropped the coon-slSin cap which
he was twirling IN his hand.
well, boy" said the soldier kindly.
MY name is Pierre Dejean," the boy
began.
IF that's so, youngster, you'd better set
an American name for yourself before you
get much older What DO you want?"
Pierre did his best with the speech he had
been getting ready to make for at least two
days The village priest, who was also
school teacher. had complimented Pierre's
English more than once, but traces of
French formality often crept into it.
Il have come to ask your excelIency's per-
mission to go with the soldiers to Fort Vim
ceunes."
Colonel Clark frowned and shook his head
you're too little for a soldier. lad" he
said, kindly. He arose and drew on his
cloak Already lively preparations were
making for descent on Fort Vincennes of
which much was expected by the authori-
ties in Virginia. The great battles of the
revolution were being fought east of the
Alleghenies; but it was nevertheless a mat
ter of grave concern that the American
cause at the West should not suffer Under
instructions from Governor Patrick Henry,
Of Virginia the brave men Of Clarks COM
mand, long Injured to hardships. were soon
to descend upon Fort Vincennes. Governor
Hamilton, who commanded the post on the
lower Wabash, was greatly feared because
he was believed to be melting the Indians
against the struggling colonists. Kaskas-
kia, Detroit and Vincennes were points from
which the Indians had received arms and
ammunition. Kaskaskia had already been
taken by Clark. 1t was now of Importance
to seize Vincennes, which commanded the
Wabash then an important link in COM
munication between Louisiana and Canada.
1t was for permission TO join the attack on
this post which the English now called
Fort Sackville, that Pierre had appealed
TO Colonel Clark.
The commander had moved toward the
door, but Pierre was regaining his courage.
He began again:
Sir. I win make a good soldier. I have
a rifle of true aim. My father is long a
prisoner at Vincennes."
Colonel Clark's attention was arrested.
He asked a number of questions, with his
finger on the latch. 1t seemed that Pierre
Dejean's mother and sister were there at
Kaskaskia, but that several months ago
his father, Victor Dejean, had been seized
by the English commandant at Fort Vim
cennes while there on a trading e. petition.
Like most of the French in this region he
favored the American cause, and his open
expressions of sympathy had led to his ar
rest on the charge of being an American
spy. Pierre had heard much of this Colonel
Clark and had taken a lively interest in the
discussion Of the proposed campaign against
Hamilton. His mother and he had talked
of the result to themselves, for should
Colonel Clark be successful surely Pierre's
father would be given his liberty.
You may go down to the barracks and
tell Captain Bowman to enlist you" said
the colonel finally. Tell him-tell him you
arc to be chief translator Of the expedition"
he added with laugh
So it came about that Pierre was distin-
guished among other boys at Kaskasl1ia in
the following days, while Colonel Clark per-
fected his plans. The whole village turned
out to witness the departure of the exoe-
dltion on the 5th of February. The force
numbered only about 10 men, but they were
brave. hardy patriots. Pierre carried a long
iii
equipped with hunting knife borrowed for
the expedition.
Pierre quickly struck up a great friendship
with several coureurs de bois who had at
tached themselves to the expedition. The
woodmen were sturdy fellows, skilled hunt
ers and trappers, but illiterate and untrust-
worthy. They were capital rifemen, how
ever. and Colonel Clark was glad enough
to have their services. Game abounded and
the expedition enjoyed an abundance of
fresh meat Pierre himself brought down a
deer one day, and several times secured
wild turkeys. which were especially priced
by the commander AS the party neared the
Wabash the low plains We're found covered
with water and it rained almost necessarily.
Instead of marching the men waded much
of the time. Their wet clothing froze as
the water was so deep that one of the tall
coureurs was obliged to carry Pierre on his
shoulder. But on the evening of Feb. IS
the booming Of General Hamiltons sunset
gun cheered the hearts of Clarks volunteers.
and the sound put the command in capital
spirits
Pierre Dejean" The word was passed
down the lire soon after an en9mpment
had been made for the night Pierre
FASTENED forward to find that a Frenchman,
resident of Vincennes, had been seized
while cunning for ducks in the Wabash.
His English had proved limited and Colonel
Clark had ordered Pierre to be called.
Boy. ask this man some questions for
ne said the commander. "and tell him
that it will be the worse for him if he
doesn't tell the truth
Pierre performed the duty of translator
satisfactorily. 1t appeared that the people
at Fort Nincennes had no idea that Clark
was I'm the neighborhood. 1t was supposed
that the impassablity OF much of the coun
try between the post and kaskaslxia insured
immunity from attack. Colonel Clark wrote
an address TO the Inhabitants of Post
NinCenneS" threatening Vengeance should