Opening up the northwest
Vincennes, IN: Located in southwestern IN on the Wabash River just a stone’s throw from Illinois, the town of Vincennes overflows with history: Imperial Wars, flip-flopping of countries, and American Revolution battles – it’s an action-packed story waiting to be told.
First, the backstory: Let’s begin with Vincennes taking the title as the oldest city in IN and containing the oldest IN church. The city was established by French fur traders in 1732 but France had occupied the area earlier in the 1600s. However, Europe’s imperial politics had IN, IL, OH, MI, and WI changing hands from France to England after the French-Indian War (aka the Seven Years’ War – 1754-1763). Parts were also Spanish owned.
But here’s an interesting turn: When the British owned the northwest lands of OH, IL, IN, MI, WI, they did not allow American colonists to settle further west than the Appalachian Mountains. Additionally, the British heavily taxed the Colonies to pay for the expensive war which the Americans felt was unjust. So what did the Americans do? They settled the northern frontier anyway as who was there to stop them?
In the 1770s, there were only 8,000 British troops scattered across all of North America. And only 100 were garrisoned at Fort Detroit which was the main post west of the Appalachian Mountains. Tensions brewed and the Revolution began in 1776.
When I think of the Revolutionary War, I think of fighting in the northeast. Vincennes, IN on the Wabash River never entered my mind. Nonetheless, one of the largest war memorials in the United States sits in Vincennes. It is here where US western expansion was secured with tug-of-war victories.
Virginian Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark (older brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition) took British Fort Sackville in Vincennes in the summer of 1778 with 170 volunteers. The French citizens living in the area embraced the patriots cause and allied with colonists. Lt. Col. Clark left a few men behind to guard Ft. Sackville while he and his men went to nearby native settlements to secure neutrality.
In the meantime, British forces learned of the fallen Ft. Sackville and retook control in Fall 1778. Overwhelmed, the French renounced their recent alliance with the Patriots. With winter on the horizon, the British commander sent most troops back to Ft. Detroit and dismissed native warriors allied with the British. He figured no one would attack during winter. This proved to be a great tactical error as they underestimated the American resolve to fight against all odds.
Wealthy Spanish fur trader Francis Vigo warned Clark of the British overturn at Ft. Sackville and financed the retaliation. In the winter of 1779 the land around Vincennes flooded like a lake; Clark and his men of 170 soldiers marched 160 miles wading day after day through miles of shoulder-height icy waters. They had little food and cold nights chilled them to the bone. Miraculously, none died. Nearing Ft. Sackville the men were desperate and exhausted – Clark ordered any deserter to be shot – All volunteers were needed to succeed.
On February 25, 1779, Clark grabbed a fistful of mud, smeared it on his face, and with a war whoop the 26-year old Clark and his men surrounded the fort and opened fire. The American frontiersmen were sharp shooters and their aim was effective. The French allied again with the colonists and gave them food and dry gunpowder. When the British leader surrendered, he asked where Clark’s army was. Clark responded that they stood before him – 170 ragged volunteers.
With George Rogers Clark securing Ft. Sackville, more northwestern settlement was encouraged and ultimately pushed the United States map line with Britain up to the Great Lakes. This land became the future states of OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, and eastern MN.
This northward extension then opened up the far Northwest Territory for Lewis and Clark (William Clark was Lt. Col George Clark’s younger brother) to explore when Jefferson signed the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The states of Washington and Oregon were not included in the Louisiana Purchase, but it wasn’t long before the US secured those lands.
An interesting point in flag history is the creation of the Clark flag. It is unknown if the green and red flag ever flew but historians identified women in town in the after taking Ft. Sackville who sewed together the flag. Annually on Memorial weekend you can see the Clark flag displayed as well as full-uniformed reenactments of battles and ceremonies.
The memorial, constructed in the 1930s, is a beautiful tribute to the area’s history and the battles at Ft. Sackville. The kids completed the Jr. Ranger workbook, obtained their badge, bought souvenirs, and strolled the grounds. The park takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete this FREE National Historical Memorial and museum.
The bridge crossing over the Wabash River from IN to IL is close to the memorial and within sight. The park ranger advised that this is the bridge that Abraham Lincoln’s family used to moved from IN to IL.