Indiana's State Motto: The Crossroads of America - adopted in 1937
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Indiana Claimed for Virginia
by George Rogers Clark
Clark and his men trekked on foot over 100 miles in 6 days until he reached Kaskaskia (south of St Louis). He caught the British by surprise and took the fort without firing a shot. That's when Clark discovered that the British had already deserted Fort Sackville in Vincennes; he sent men to capture it and had claimed both forts for the Americans within a days time.
Clark then began making friends with the Indians and asked for a Council of the Chiefs. He held out a white belt of peace and a bloody belt of war and asked the Chiefs to choose what they wanted. The Indians were impressed with Clark's bold approach and chose the white belt of peace, claiming they had been fooled by the lies of the British.
The British Claim Indiana Again
A British man, Henry Hamilton, was in charge of the Indian attacks in Kentucky; he was determined to put Clark in his place.
Hamilton took 600 men and attacked Fort Sackville in Vincennes. Clark had left only 2 men there; they had to surrender the fort back to the British.
The rivers in Southern Indiana were over flowing and much of the area was swampy. Hamilton decided to stay in Vincennes.
George Rogers Clark Plans to Take Indiana Back
A fur trader named Francis Vigo arrived in Kaskaskia in late January, he met up with Clark and told him what had happened in Vincennes.
Vigo also told the 27 year old Clark that Hamilton planned to attack him there in Kaskaskia in the spring.
Clark had no money to finance an attack; many of his men had already gone home. He told Vigo what he had to do and Vigo decided to lend him some money. He got more supplies from another trader.
Clark figured that it was now or never, by spring the British troops would be well rested, strong, and ready to fight. His plan meant attacking in the dead of winter and catching them by surprise.
On February 5, 1779 , Clark's army of 125 men started their march across Illinois and it was horrible. He didn't want to follow any of the usual trails to Vincennes. He had a boat with about 50 men go up the Mississippi River, to the Ohio River and then up the Wabash to meet him before they got to Vincennes. On board the boat was food, ammunition and supplies.
The rivers and streams had overflowed, the ground was soft and muddy, and it was a cold February day. The men were hungry and they hadn't been able to find any game to shoot, they were getting discouraged.
They were near Vincennes when their food ran out. The men now just didn't have the energy to go on. But the worst problem was that the boat full of supplies and food - didn't show up.
Clark figured this was his only chance to capture the fort, and now he didn't even have the ammunition he needed. Clark decided he couldn't turn back.
The Wabash River had also overflowed and there was a long stretch of land between Clark and Fort Sackville, he borrowed some boats from some hunters and crossed the Wabash into Indiana.
The land on the other side in Indiana was swampy with water 4-5 feet deep. His men wanted to give up; Clark waded through the swampy water up to his chest, holding his ammunition and guns above his head, and his men followed behind him.
On February 23, 1779 Clark was just a few miles from Vincennes, but his men could hardly walk they were so tired. About 2 miles outside of town they found dry land; he told the men that capturing Vincennes meant food. He figured that capturing the town would make capturing the fort easier.
He sent a message to the people of Vincennes that a large army was nearby and that all those friendly with the British should go to the fort, and anyone friendly with the Americans should stay in their house.
At dark Clark attacked Vincennes but nobody from town had joined the British troops in the fort. Clark captured the town since everybody was on his side; he now needed Fort Sackville.
Hamilton was shocked by the fact that Clark was in his face; he thought he was safe for quite a while yet. He was the one planning to do the attacking and this wasn't part of his plan.
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This information is the research of many people across the United States and may contain errors. It is presented as the best information to date. Like all of those whose work I have incorporated herein, my research is a work in progress and subject to change without notice. A special thanks to Marlene Ricci of CA, Dwayne Meyer of CA, Jacqueline Bean of TX, Debbie Dick of IN, Milus Miller of IL, Carol Hendricks Miller of IN, Clarence Miller of IN, and Harold Glen Miller of IN. There are numerous others too; many of which are unknown, but their findings and stories are still much appreciated. Much of this would not have been possible with out their information. Also this website includes historical facts gathered from Washington County History, Indiana History, Rowan County and Salisbury North Carolina Historical sources and other US Historical sources.
James A. Miller- Great -Great -Great -Great Grandson of Adam Miller and Hannah Sheets.
©2007 The Millers of Washington County
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Last Updated 06/04/07 03:45:24 PM -0700