, and forgot that he had
suffered anything, saying that all that had passed was owing to good
policy and nothing but what a man could bear; and that a soldier had no
right to think, etc.,--passing from one extreme to another, which is
common in such cases.

It was now we had to display our abilities. The plain between us and the
town was not a perfect level. The sunken grounds were covered with water
full of ducks. We observed several men out on horseback, shooting them,
within a half mile of us, and sent out as many of our active young
Frenchmen to decoy and take one of these men prisoner in such a manner
as not to alarm the others, which they did. The information we got from
this person was similar to that which we got from those we took on the
river, except that of the British having that evening completed the wall
of the fort, and that there were a good many Indians in town.

Our situation was now truly critical,--no possibility of retreating in
case of defeat, and in full view of a town that had, at this time,
upward of six hundred men in it,--troops, inhabitants, and Indians. The
crew of the galley, though not fifty men, would have been now a
reenforcement of immense magnitude to our little army (if I may so call
it), but we would not think of them. We were now in the situation that I
had labored to get ourselves in. The idea of being made prisoner was
foreign to almost every man, as they expected nothing but torture from
the savages, if they fell into their hands. Our fate was now to be
determined, probably in a few hours. We knew that nothing but the most
daring conduct would insure success.

I knew that a number of the inhabitants wished us well, that many were
lukewarm to the interest of either, and I also learned that the grand
chief, the Tobacco's son, had but a few days before openly declared, in
council with the British, that he was a brother and friend to the Big
Knives. These were favorable circumstances; and, as there was but
little probability of our remaining until dark undiscovered, I
determined to begin the career immediately, and wrote the following
placard to the inhabitants:--

"TO THE INHABITANTS OF POST VINCENNES:

"_Gentlemen:_--Being now within two miles of your village, with my
army, determined to take your fort this night, and not being
willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you
as are true citizens and willing to enjoy the liberty I bri