CAHOKIA.
While we could not rightfully take much praise to ourselves for having
captured a post where no resistance was made, the members of Major
Clarke's force, including even Paul and myself, looked with triumph upon
the exploit, bloodless though it had proven to be.
Surely the king would not have thus lost possession of his outpost had
we, meaning the entire company, remained at home, and, therefore, might
we claim that the garrison was now held in the name of the province of
Virginia solely through our efforts.
As we learned next day from those to whom Major Clarke had confided the
facts, many of Monsieur Rocheblave's papers had been destroyed by his
wife after he was made prisoner, for our people did not consider it
necessary to make a woman captive. She was allowed to retain possession
of the house until morning, and during that time burned many papers
which should have come into our keeping.
There was not time, however, for her to destroy all Monsieur's
correspondence, and enough was found to prove beyond a doubt that he,
acting under instructions from England, had been inciting the Indians to
hostilities against such of the settlers as dared believe the rebellious
colonists were in the right.
I believe of a verity our men would have wreaked speedy vengeance upon
this Frenchman who had caused the death and torture of so many of our
countrymen, but for Major Clarke's presence of mind.
Immediately after learning that the members of the force were aware of
the Frenchman's guilt, he detailed twenty of the most reliable
men--those whom he could trust to carry out his orders to the letter,
and sent them in charge of Monsieur Rocheblave and his wife to
Williamsburg in Virginia, that the wicked man might be tried for the
crimes he had committed against defenseless women and children.
The party set off before noon of the day following our capture of the
garrison, at a time when our people were occupied in other directions,
and thus no act was committed which might have brought shame upon us,
although I hold even now that it would not have been wrong had we wiped
out Monsieur Rocheblave's crime with his own life, regardless of the
fact that he, being a prisoner, was entitled to our protection.
He had entertained no such notions of honor when he set the savages upon
the defenseless settlers, knowing full well how much of horrible
suffering would be caused.
He left with a whole skin, however, as I know full well, since Paul and
I aided in making ready the boat which was to carry the party to the
mouth of the Ohio River, from which point they would strike across the
country to Williamsburg.
The Frenchman's wife went with him, as a matter of course, and I have
since tried to learn what became of the scoundrel, but without success.
He deserved hanging, if ever any man did, although many people claimed
that he was not really guilty, since he had but carried out the orders
given by his superiors.
Had any of those who pleaded so eloquently for his release known what it
was to have a father tortured to death, as I knew, there would have been
leas said in favor of such a wretch.
However, that has nothing to do with the story of what Paul Sampson and
I did and saw while we scouted in company with Simon Kenton.
When our people learned that Monsieur Rocheblave had been sent away with
a whole skin, for, as I have said, all the preparations for his
departure were made with the utmost secrecy and he and his wife
smuggled on board the boat, there was something very like mutiny in the
camp, and Major Clarke had quite as big a job to quiet the men as he
could well handle; but the volunteers soon settled down quietly,
promising themselves that the time would come when they might have more
voice in deciding the fate of the Frenchman.
Having seized the outpost, it was as if Major Clarke counted on
loitering in Kaskaskia without making any further effort toward
capturing the other possessions of the king's on the Mississippi River.
During three days we remained quietly in the settlement, amusing
ourselves as best we might, and many of the company indulged in much
grumbling because of the inactivity.
We had come to open the river for our own people, they said, and it was
little short of a crime to loiter when there were so many garrisons near
at hand which should come into our possession.
Before the three days were passed, however, we came to understand our
commander's purpose. He had not disturbed the French settlers whom we
found in Kaskaskia; but, on the contrary, showed his intention of
protecting them as he would those who were bound to us by ties of blood,
and the result was that the people began to realize how much had been
gained by this change of governors.
The savages were no longer welcome to hold their hideous pow-wows there,
and the soldiers could not rob the settlers as had been done when
Monsieur Rocheblave was in command. In every respect the people were the
gainers by our coming, and fully appreciated the fact.
The next British outpost up the river above Kaskaskia, was Cahokia, a
settlement where considerable trade was carried on, and a depository of
British arms for distribution among the savages.
It had been occupied by the Caoquias, a tribe of Illinois Indians, long
before the discovery of the Mississippi. The French settled there
shortly after La Salle descended the river, and it was said to contain
not less than forty families in addition to the garrison of about sixty
soldiers.
This was the post Major Clarke had counted on capturing when he left
Corn Island, and we soon came to know that he had not changed his
intentions, but was busily engaged perfecting his plans at the very time
when some of us accused him of spending the days in idleness.
Between these two outposts were three small villages which the king
claimed as his own, and these it would be necessary to capture before
arriving at the larger settlements.
When all his arrangements were completed, Major Clarke announced that
Captain Joseph Bowman, the commander of one of the companies, was to
lead the expedition to Cahokia, which would consist of about two hundred
men, while he, Major Clarke, with the remainder of the force, was to
remain at Kaskaskia, and at the same time be prepared to keep in check
such of the Indians nearabout as might take into their ugly heads to
make trouble for us.
Now was seen the wisdom of the major's proceedings during such time as
we had remained in the captured garrison.
The inhabitants of Kaskaskia had had time to realize that they were much
better off under the rule of the colonists than that of the king, and
once this was brought fully home to them, they became eager that the
other outposts on the river should experience the same change of
government.
Therefore, instead of secretly sending scouts ahead to warn these
villages through which we must pass, the people of the post begged
permission to accompany the volunteers, claiming that by relating what
had occurred in their own settlement they could quickly bring the others
to terms, thereby preventing bloodshed, and doing a favor to their
neighbors at the same time they benefited themselves.
As Simon Kenton put it: "Once they knew that the Americans were prepared
to take possession of America--or such portion of it as came in their
way--the one desire was that the rule of the king might be wiped out
speedily, which was good sense, inasmuch as both parties could not hold
portions of the river without coming to blows."
If these people whose settlements we had taken without striking a blow
could have had their way, every outpost now garrisoned by men who gave
allegiance to the king would be speedily in our possession, and while
the temper of the people was at this point, the proper time had come to
push the advantage.
When it was announced that among those who would set out under command
of Captain Bowman would be the scout Kenton and his two companions, I
had no misgivings.
The anguish of mind that had been mine with so little cause just before
we surprised the Kaskaskia garrison had taught me a lesson, and, in
addition, I believed that we would continue our march in the same
bloodless, triumphant fashion as it had been begun.
And in this I was not mistaken.
Lest I draw out this story to too great length, setting down facts which
strangers may think are of no importance in the history of our taking
possession of the Mississippi River, I shall go straight ahead toward
the end without stopping here to relate what at the time seemed to us of
considerable importance, or to explain how Paul and I acted or felt
under certain trying and disagreeable circumstances.
Simon Kenton was to have charge of the advance portion of the force
which Captain Bowman led. That is to say, if we were speaking of such
maneuvers at this day, we should say that Simon Kenton was in command of
the skirmishers, and, as a matter of course, Paul Sampson and I played
the part, however poorly, of his assistants.
We, and I am now speaking not only of us three who called ourselves
scouts, but twelve or fifteen more who were ordered to join us, set out
from Kaskaskia on the morning of the 8th of July, about two hours in
advance of the main force, with the understanding that it was our duty
to capture such spies as might be met, or to fall back in case we were
confronted by any considerable number of savages.
Well, we began the sixty-mile tramp in good spirits, and when, late on
that same day we were come within hailing distance of the first small
settlement that lay on the road, our march had been no more than a
pleasure excursion.
Neither spy nor Indian had we seen, and I believe that eighteen or
twenty men could have taken possession of this village belonging to the
king, by force of arms, had it been necessary, without any very serious
trouble.
But the orders were for us to halt until the main body should come up,
and this we did, whereupon those settlers from the captured post
advanced to hold a parley with the occupants of this clearing.
It was not a lengthy conference. After those who had so lately
recognized Monsieur Rocheblave as their governor, explained to these
other settlers the advantages to be gained, the village was ours.
We had simply to walk in as honored guests, and the American flag was
hoisted in token that they no longer held themselves as subjects of the
king.
And the story of our successful advance thus far was the same as must be
told from this point.
We marched into two other villages, our allies from Kaskaskia going
ahead to pave the way, and left the settlers, while we continued on up
the river, as brothers rather than enemies.
Three villages hoisted our flag in token of their sympathy with and
desire to aid the colonists, and then we were come, at the close of the
third day, near to Cahokia, the post, as I have said, of no mean
importance, and garrisoned by sixty soldiers.
Here at least did Paul Sampson and I believe our entrance would be
opposed; but as before, Captain Bowman sent our allies ahead, and we
came into the trading village where the king had deposited large
quantities of arms for barter with the Indians, having met with no
opposition, and being received right generously.
The people greeted us with huzzas when we marched into the stockade,
behind our allies, and were equally as enthusiastic on being told by
Captain Bowman that they must take the oath of allegiance to the colony
of Virginia.
The purpose for which our force had left Corn Island was accomplished in
the capture of Cahokia, for this post was really the last which Major
Clarke had claimed it might be possible to reduce.
It is true he had mentioned Vincennes in his plans to the authorities of
Virginia; but, as we understood from Simon Kenton while we laid here at
Cahokia, the garrison on the Wabash River was not to be attacked unless
it might be done with reasonable assurance of success.
Now this outpost of Vincennes was one of the first settlements formed in
the valley of the Mississippi. It was occupied by the French emigrants
as early as 1735, and called post St. Vincent. In 1745, the name of
Vincennes was given to it in honor of F. M. de Vincennes, a gallant and
much respected French officer who was killed in the battle with the
Chickasaws in 1736.
It was the most important post in the valley, but whether it was to be
attacked, we who were at Cahokia could not even so much as guess.
Simon Kenton believed our portion of the work would end here, arguing
that Major Clarke must leave a garrison both at Kaskaskia and Cahokia in
order to hold the stockades, and by so doing his little army would be
greatly weakened; so that he could hardly hope for a victory if it
chanced that we were obliged to resort to force in order to gain
possession.
"Accordin' to my way of thinkin', lads, our work is done," the scout
said, late on that night after we took possession of Cahokia. "There's
naught left us to do save retrace our steps, for I should guess that you
were not minded to remain in either of these settlements as members of
the garrison."
"Indeed we are not," I replied promptly. "My mother awaits me at Corn
Island, and unless she decides to go back to the land which my father
cleared, I must set about making a home for her."
"I have no wish to remain," Paul added. "It may not be that my father
needs me; but I have a mother in Maryland, and service in a garrison is
not pleasing. If, as you believe, the work laid out for Major Clarke has
been accomplished, Louis Nelson and I will return with you, if it so be
you are going back."
"Indeed I am, my boy," Simon Kenton replied with the air of one who
anticipates much pleasure in the future. "Now that there is no longer a
shadow over me, I am as eager to find my father and my mother as are you
lads to meet yours."
"When shall we return?" I asked, for now that the homeward journey was
being considered, I, who really had no home, was eager to begin it.
"It was understood between Major Clarke and myself that I might be at
liberty to turn back whenever Captain Bowman should state he no longer
required my services, and I reckon, lads, that the time has come. Wait
you here until I learn what he has to say regardin' the matter."
Within an hour it was decided that we three were to carry Captain
Bowman's report to Major Clarke, and when I lay down to sleep that night
it was with the knowledge that at the first light of dawn we would begin
the sixty-mile journey, counting on making it within four-and-twenty
hours with but little labor, since from this point we could proceed in
a canoe, aided by the swiftly running current.
We set out as had been decided upon, one of the settlers in Cahokia
willingly lending us a dugout, with the understanding that we should
leave it at Kaskaskia to be returned whenever opportunity offered, and
before midnight Simon Kenton was giving to Major Clarke the account of
our successes.
We remained three days longer at this post; but all that happened which
concerned us three may be told in few words.
It was decided that all save those who chose to remain to man the
garrisons might return whenever it pleased them, and, knowing that fifty
or more who had left relatives on Corn Island were counting on going
back soon, we three waited for them in order that our force might be so
large as to deter the savages who were possibly lurking about the banks
of the Ohio River, from making an attack.
When three days had passed, however, we found that none of the men were
disposed to begin quite so soon what would doubtless prove an arduous
undertaking, and Simon Kenton laid the matter before us by saying:
"Lads, I am eager to get back into Fauquier County. If it so be you have
no stomach for layin' around here eatin' the bread of idleness suppose
we start to-morrow mornin'? There is nothin' to keep us, and much to
incline our hearts toward the journey."
Unless I have utterly failed in making it appear here that I had a great
affection for my mother, it can readily be understood how we answered
the scout, and without delay we set about the few necessary preparations
for the voyage, determined to leave Kaskaskia before daylight next
morning.
And now at this point let me copy what I read many years later regarding
Vincennes:
"The stronger and more important post of Vincennes, situate on the east
bank of the Wabash River, one hundred miles above its entrance into the
Ohio, was yet unsubdued, and Major Clarke felt that the object of his
mission would be but half accomplished if he did not gain possession of
that place. It was necessary to garrison Kaskaskia and Cahokia in order
to retain them, and to do this would so weaken his little army that he
could, scarcely hope for victory in an attack upon Vincennes, unless he
should be as successful in effecting a surprise as he had in capturing
the posts already in his possession. While thus perplexed and doubting
which course to pursue, he communicated his desires to Father Gabault, a
French priest, who agreed to bring those inhabitants of Vincennes over
whom he had pastoral charge, to the support of the American cause. The
influence of the priest was successful; the inhabitants arose in the
night and cast off their allegiance to the British, expelled the
garrison from the fort, and pulled down the English standard. The
American flag floated in triumph over the ramparts in the morning."
All this was done before we three were come again to Corn Island, and I
question if the British king ever lost more territory at a less cost in
blood, either on the part of those who made the capture or the hirelings
who should have held the garrisons, than in this expedition of Major
Clarke's into the valley of Mississippi.
I am now come to be an old man, and yet since that time have heard but
little spoken concerning the achievements of Major Clarke and his force
of four hundred, when the most fertile portion of the Mississippi River
was taken from the Britishers and made a portion of the American
colonies.
We had done our work well, as it seemed to me then and does now,
although in the telling of it there is none of that clash of arms and
cheers of triumph which have accompanied far smaller achievements.
And here would my story properly end but for the fact that we three must
make the journey down the Mississippi to the Ohio, following the course
of this last noble river on foot, because we could not well stem the
current in a canoe, through a country infested by savage enemies, who
would use every effort to take our lives.