first terror-stricken and expected
to be massacred, but they were soon convinced of their mistake by the
bearing and representations of the Virginia commander. Cahokia was
captured shortly afterwards, without difficulty.

Clarke's situation was now extremely critical, and he duly appreciated the
fact. Vincennes was still in front, so garrisoned, that it seemed madness
to attempt its capture by direct attack. But a bold offensive movement
could alone render the conquests which had been made, permanent and
advantageous. A French priest, named Gibault, secured the favor of the
inhabitants of Vincennes for the American interest, and the Indians of the
neighborhood were conciliated by the able management of Colonel Clarke,
who knew how to win the favor of the men better than any other borderer;
but on the 29th of January, 1779, intelligence was received at Kaskaskia,
where Clarke was then posted, that Governor Hamilton had taken possession
of Vincennes, and meditated the re-capture of the other posts, preparatory
to assailing the whole frontier, as far as Fort Pitt.

[Illustration: BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT.]

Clarke determined to act upon the offensive immediately, as his only
salvation. Mounting a galley with two four-pounders and four swivels, and
manning it with forty-six men, he dispatched it up the Wabash, to the
White River, and on the 7th of February, 1779, marched from Kaskaskia at
the head of only one hundred and seventy men, over the drowned lands of
the Wabash, against the British post. The march of Arnold by way of the
Kennebec to Canada can alone be placed as a parallel with this difficult
expedition. The indomitable spirit of Clarke sustained the band through
the most incredible fatigues. On the 28th the expedition approached the
town, still undiscovered. The American commander then issued a
proclamation, intended to produce an impression that his force was large
and confident of success, and invested the fort. So vigorously was the
siege prosecuted that the garrison was reduced to straits, and Governor
Hamilton compelled to capitulate. (24th of February, 1779.) This was a
brilliant achievement and reflected the highest honor upon Colonel Clarke
and his gallant band. Detroit was now in full view, and Clarke was
confident he could capture it if he had but five hundred men; but he could
not obtain that number, till the chances of success were annihilated, and
thus his glorious expedition terminated. The object o