The Revolutionary War in the West:
The Conquest of the Illinois Country (I779)
Described by Colonel George Rogers Clark

[Excerpted from American History Told by Contemporaries, Vol. II: Building of the Republic, Albert Bushnell Hart, ed. (New York, MacMillan, 1899), pp. 579-582]

Clark was sent out by the state of Virginia in command of all expedition to seize the British posts north of the Ohio, and Virginia therefore claimed his conquests s e sevewa! accounts of his movements; the manuscript of this piece was captured by the British, and is in the Canadian archives.

What preceeds this part of Col. Clarke's journal is only an account of his setting out and his march till the 23rd Feb. Sett off very early, waded better than three miles on a stretch, our people prodigious yet they keep up a good heart in hopes of a speedy sight of our enemys At last about two o'clock we came in sight of this long sought town and enemy, all quiet, the spirits of my men seemed to revive we marched up under cover of a wood called the Warriours Island where we lay concealed untill sunset, several of the inhabitants were out a shooting by which was assur'd they had no intelligence of us yet. I sent out two men to bring in one who came and I sent him to town to inform the inhabitants I was near them ordering all those attached to the King of England to enter the Fort and defend it, those who desired to be friends to keep in their houses. I order'd the march in the first division Capt. Williams, Capt. Worthington's Company and the Cascaskia Volunteers; in the 2nd commanded by Capt. Bowman his own Company and the Cohos Volunteers. At sun down I put the divisions in motion to march in the greatest order and regularity and observe the orders of their officersÑabove all to be silentÑthe 5 men we took in the canoes were our guides; we entered the town on the upper part leaving detached Lt. Bayley and 15 riflemen to attack the Fort and keep up a fire to harrass them untill we took possession of the town and they were to remain on that duty till relieved by another party, the two divisions marched into the town and took possession of the main street, put guards &c without the least molestation I continued all night sending parties out to annoy the enemy and caused a trench to be thrown up across the main street about 200 yds from the Fort Gate ....

24th As soon as daylight appeared the enemy perceived our works and began a very smart fire of small arms at it, but could not bring their cannon to bear on them, about 8 o'clock I sent a flag of truce with a letter desiring Lt. Gov. Hamilton in order to save the impending storm that hung over his head immediately to surrender up the Garrison, Fort, Stores &~ Are and at his peril not to destroy any one article now in the said GarrisonÑor to hurt any house &~ belonging to the Inhabitants for if he did by Heaven, he might expect no mercyÑhis answer was Gov. H. begs leave to acquaint Col. C. that he and his Garrison were not disposed to be awed into any action unworthy of British subjectsÑI then ordered out parties to attack the Fort and the firing began very smartly on both sides one of my men thro' a bravery known but to Americans walking carelessly up the main street was slightly wounded over the left eye but no ways dangerousÑAbout I2 o'clock the firing from the Fort suspended a Flag coming out I order'd my people to stop firing till further orders. I soon perceived it was Capt. Helm who after salutations inform'd me that the purport of his commission was, that Lt. Gov. Hamilton was willing to surrender up the Fort and Garrison provided Col. Clarke would grant him honourable terms and that he beg'd Col. Clarke to come into the Fort to confer with him, first I desired Capt. Helm not to give any intelligence of G. H's strength &t being on his Parole, second my answer to Gov. H was that I should not agree to any other terms than that Lt. Gov. H should immediately surrender at discretion and allowed him half an hour to consider thereof Ñas to entering the Fort my offs. and men would not allow of it, for it was with difficulty I restrained them from storming the GarrisonÑ I dismissed Capt. Helm, with my answer, at the time allowed Capt. Helm came back with Lieut. Gov. H's second proposals which wereÑLt. Gov. Hamilton proposes to Col. Clarke a truce for three days, during which time there shall no defensive works be carried on in the Garrison provided Col. Clarke shall observe the like cessation on his partÑhe further proposes that whatever allay pass between them two and any person mutually agreed upon to be present shall remain secret untill matters be finally determined. As he wishes that whatever the result of this conference may beÑthe Honor and credit of each may be considered

so he wishes he may confer with Col. Clarke as soon as may beÑas Col. Clarke makes a difficulty of coming into the Fort Lt. Gov. H will speak to him before the Gate 24 Feb. I779 (signed) H. H.

This moment received intelligence that a party of Indians were coming up from the falls with Prisrs or Scalps, which party was sent out by G. Hamilton for that purpose, my people were so enraged they immediately intercepted the party which consisted of 8 Indians and a frenchman of the Garrison. they killed three on the spot and brought 4 in who were tomahawked in the street oposite the Fort Gate and thrown into the riverÑthe frenchll an we shewd mercy as his aged father had behaved so well in my partyÑI relieved the two poor Prisrs who were French hunters on the Ohio, after which At Hehn carried my answer thusÑCol. Clarks compts to G. H. and begs leave to inform him that Col. Clarke will not agree to any other terms than of G. H. surrendering himself and Garrison prisoners at discretionÑif G. H. desires a conference with Col. Clarke, he will meet him at the church with Capt. Helm.

24 Feb. I779 (signed) G. R. CLARK.

I imediately repaired there to confer with G. Hamilton where I met with him and Capt. Helm.

Gov. Hamilton then begd I would consider the situation of both parties that he was willing to surrender the Garrison but was in hopes that Col. Clark would let him do it with HonourÑI answered him I have been informed that he had 800 menÑI have not that number but I came to fight that number. G. H. then replied who could give you this false information I am Sir (replied I) well acquainted with your strength and force and am able to take your Fort, therefore I will give no other terms but to submit yourself and Garrison to my discretion and mercyÑhe reply'd Sir my men are brave and willing to stand by me to the last, if I can't surrender upon Honble terms I'll fight it out to the lastÑAnswered, Sir this will give my men infinite satisfaction and pleasure for it is their desire, he left me and went a few pays aloof I told Capt. Helm Sir you are a prisoner on your parole, I desire you to reconduct G. H. into the Fort and there remain till I retake you. Lt. Gov. Hamilton then returned saying, Col. Clarke why will you force me to dishonour myself when you cannot acquire more honor by itÑI told him could I look on you as a Gentleman I would do to the utmost of my power, but on you Sir who have embrued your hands in the blood of our women and children, Honor, my country, everything calls on me alloud for Vengeance. G. H. I know my character has been stained hut not deservedly for I have allwaise endeavour'd to instill Humanity as much as in my power to the Indians whom the orders of my superiours obliged me to employ. C. C. Sir I speak no more on this subject my blood glows within my veins to think on the crueltys your Indian parties have committed, therefore repair to your Fort and prepare for battle on which I turned off and the Gov. and Ct Helm towards the FortÑwhen Capt. Helm says Gentlemen don't be warm, strive to save many lives which may be usefull to their country which will unavoidably fall in case you don't agree on which we again conferdÑG Hamilton 4 said, is there nothing to be done but fightingÑYes, Sir, I will send you such articles as I think proper to allow, if you accept them, wellÑI will allow you half an hour to consider on them on which At Helm came with me to take them to G. H.Ñhaving assembled my officers I sent the following articles viz.

1st Lt. Gov. Hamilton engages to deliver up to Col. Clark Fort Sackville as it is at present with all the stores, ammunition, provisions, &c

2nd. The Garrison will deliver themselves up Prisrs of War to march out with their arms accoutrements, Knapsacks &c

3. The Garrison to be delivered up tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.

4th. Three days to be allowed to the Garrison to settle their accounts with the traders of this place and inhabitants.

5. The officers of the Garrison to be allowed their necessary bag

(signed) Post Vincent 24th Feb. 1779 G. R. CLARK.

Within the limitted time Capt. Helm returned with the articles signed thus, viz.

Agreed to for the following reasons, remoteness from succours, the state and quantity of Provisions &~ the unanimity of officers and men on its expediency, the Honble terms allowd and lastly the confidence in a generous Enemy.

(signed) H. HAMILTON Lt. Gov. & Superintendt

Journal of Colone1 Clark in American Historical Review (New York, etc.,1896), I, 91-94 passim.