About the middle of May following, he joined the expedition under Colonel Bowman against the Shawanese towns on the sources of the Little Miami, in which he distinguished himself as a valuable and efficient officer. In August, 1780, he again' served as an officer under Colonel George Rogers Clark in the expedition which spread terror and devastation throughout the Shawanese towns, from the sources of the Scioto to those of the Wabash. From this time until the close of the Indian wars,' he was one of the regular defenders of the Kentucky stations in all attacks, and in every invasion of the Indian country. In the terrible and disastrous battle of the Blue Licks, on the 19th of August, 1782, he was a prominent actor,* and greatly distinguished himself for his generous courage. For several years subsequent to the winter of 1790, he was an active pioneer in the Northwestern Territory in establishing the first settlements made on the north side of the Ohio, between the Great and Little Miamies.

4. George Rogers Clark, a man whose history has not yet been written, was one of the most prominent pioneer defenders of the whole West; confined to no particular section of country, his field of operation was the whole western settlements, over which he exercised a watchful care, which secured them from utter extermination and ruin. For decision, energy, forethought, good sense, and intrepidity, he will compare favorably with any general of the Revolutionary war. In the West, he was certainly the best soldier that ever led an army against .he savages, and he knew how to control those uncontrollable beings better than any other man of his day.†

Clark, if not the first founder of Kentucky, was certainly a principal architect in rearing the superstructure. He was the guardian angel which stood over the infant colony from 1776 until 1785 with the ægis of his protection, and his name deserves to stand enrolled high among the worthies who have been honored as the fathers of the western country comprised in the eastern half of the Valley of the Mississippi, and his bones should lie side by side with those of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton in the capital of Kentucky, under the monument which patriotism may rear to their memories.

He has been justly esteemed as the most extraordinary mil

American Pioneer, vol. ii., p. 346.

See North American Review, No. 105, October, 1839, p. 295.

itary genius which Virginia has ever produced, although the field of his operations was the remote wilderness of the West. Judge Hall declares him to have been "a man of extraordinary talents and energy of character, and possessed of a military genius, which enabled him to plan with consummate wisdom, and to execute his designs with decision and promptitude." His great mind* readily comprehended the situation of the country; he made himself acquainted with the topography of the whole region and the localities of the enemy's forts, as well as the strength of their forces. He possessed the rare faculty of "penetrating the designs" of his antagonist; thus becoming informed of the actual condition and movements of the enemy, he could deduce his subsequent operations and his ulterior designs, and hence was enabled to anticipate and defeat all his plans and movements before they were matured. In the execution of his plans, his movements were made with such precision and celerity, and conducted with such consummate judgment, that success was always doubly insured.

In his personal appearance Major Clark was commanding and dignified; hence, as Mr. Marshall observes, "His appearance was well calculated to attract attention; and it was rendered particularly agreeable by the manliness of his deportment, the intelligence of his conversation, and, above all, by the vivacity and boldness of his spirit for enterprise."†

Major Clark was a native of Virginia, and was engaged in the early defense of the western inhabitants of the Old Dominion; yet the most important portion of his history commences in 1776, when he was upon the Ohio frontier, engaged in the protection of the settlements against Indian hostilities consequent upon the war of the Revolution. He was upon the frontiers near the Monongahela and southward to the Kenhawa during the year 1776, and superintended the construction of Fort Fincastle for the protection of the inhabitants in the vicinity of Wheeling Creek, as well as other settlements north and south of that point, near the Ohio River. Subsequently he repaired to Kentucky, and superintended the construction and defense of the settlements in that quarter. Finding those settlements in a state of insecurity, and destitute of ammunition for defense, he procured from the executive of Virginia an appropriation of five hundred pounds of powder for the use of + History of Kentucky.

Sketches of the West, vol. ii., p. 118–121.

the Kentucky stations. Repairing in person to Fort Pitt, he obtained the powder, and with six men conducted it safely through the Indian territory, down the Ohio to the "Three Islands," near Limestone Creek, where it was carefully concealed from the scrutiny of the savages, who roamed the whole country. Finding it too hazardous to advance with the precious treasure without a strong guard, he returned to Harrodsburg on foot, in company with Captain Jones, and by way of "M'Clellan's Station," for a sufficient escort to conduct it safely to the forts. Having procured the aid of Simon Kenton, Robert Patterson, and twenty-seven other hunters of like mold from the stations, he set out for the place of concealment, and returned a few days afterward, each man bearing his keg of powder.

[A.D. 1777.] Shortly afterward he received his commission from the governor, authorizing him to organize the militia of the Kentucky stations. The militia of Kentucky were accordingly organized into three companies: one at Boonesborough, under Captain Daniel Boone; one at Logan's Fort, under Captain Benjamin Logan; and one at Harrod's Station, under Captain James Harrod. This was the first militia organization in Kentucky. From this time, Major Clark, as the real father of Kentucky, continued to watch over the infant settlements with paternal solicitude, which never faltered, until the close of the Revolutionary difficulties. During his service on the western frontier, he was advanced to the rank of brigadier-general, and was actual commander-in-chief of all the Virginia forces on the Ohio.

His observing eye and his military perception soon discovered that, after Detroit, the posts at Vincennes and Kaskaskia were the grand sources of Indian hostilities, the points from which emanated the plans and operations of the western savages for the destruction of the Kentucky settlements. Having been perfectly convinced of this fact, he conceived the design of putting an end to these incursions by the capture or destruction of these posts. Concealing his designs, he proceeded to Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia, to concert with the governor and Executive Council a plan for accomplishing this object. His views and plans were approved by the governor, and measures were adopted to enable him to execute his designs. It was then that Major Clark was commissioned as

colonel, with authority to raise a battalion of seven companies in the western counties of Virginia for a secret expedition under his command.

Early in June his recruiting captains returned with their levies from the counties west of the Blue Ridge to Pittsburgh, and he descended the Ohio with the broken companies to "the Falls." Here, encamped on "Corn Island," he tarried some time, in hopes of recruiting his forces from the stations; but the secret expedition was unpopular in the settlements, which were entirely dependent on the protection of the militia, and it was deemed inexpedient to reduce their numbers, and thereby invite attack from the enemy.

With one hundred and fifty-three men, he descended the river below the mouth of the Tennessee; there concealing his boats, he advanced through the wilderness direct to Kaskaskia, and on the night of July 4th took possession of the British post and the town of Kaskaskia, without the loss of a man or the fire of

a gun.

[A.D. 1778.] A few days sufficed to reduce the whole country to the allegiance of Virginia, and the posts to her arms. Before the lapse of many days he was master of all the British posts from the Wabash to the Upper Mississippi, had established the authority of Virginia, and had sent the governor and commandants prisoners of war to the State capital.

[A.D. 1779.] The following year, the British commandant at Detroit having advanced upon Vincennes and recovered the post, which had been without a garrison, Colonel Clark, with the same celerity as at Kaskaskia, advanced eastward to the Wabash, at the most wet and inclement season of the winter, and after an investment of thirty-six hours, captured the entire British force and recovered the place, sending Colonel Hamilton and his officers prisoners of war to Virginia.

[A.D. 1780.] Having supreme military command on the Lower Ohio and on the Mississippi, he established Fort Jefferson on the Mississippi, a few miles below the Ohio, thus extending the authority and the arms of Virginia to the remotest limit of British power in the West. For several years afterward he commanded on the Ohio above "the Falls," and became the admiration and the terror of the hostile tribes.

The history of Colonel Clark during the subsequent years, until 1786, is so intimately blended with that of Kentucky, that it is unnecessary here to trace his services further.

CHAPTER III.

EXTENSION OF VIRGINIA SETTLEMENTS AND JURISDICTION TO THE MISSISSIPPI.-INDIAN HOSTILITIES UPON THE OHIO.-A.D. 1776 TO 1780.

Argument.-Retrospect of the frontier Settlements of Western Virginia, Pennsylva nia, North Carolina, and Kentucky in 1776.-Check to these Settlements by hostile Cherokees.-Cherokee War.-Three-fold Invasion of Cherokee Country.-"Treaty of Dewett's Corner."-" Treaty of Long Island," on Holston.-Cherokees retire from ceded Territory.-Hostilities of Northwestern Tribes.-Kentucky Stations supplied with Powder by Major Clark.-Posts on the Ohio.-Attack on M'Clellan's Station, December, 1776.-Hostilities in West Augusta.-County of Kentucky erected.— Militia Organization in 1777.-District of West Augusta divided into three Counties. -Ohio County organized.-Settlements in West Augusta.-The Indians attack Harrod's Station; also, Logan's Fort and Boonesborough.-Militia organization in Ohio County.-Memorable Siege of Boonesborough from July 4th to September.-Captain Logan's Re-enforcement from North Carolina.-Colonel John Bowman's Re-enforcement.-County of Kentucky organized.-Militia Organization.-Extent of Kentucky County. Colonel Henderson indemnified for Loss of Transylvania.-Indian Hostilities near the Ohio.-Cornstalk, Ellinipsico, and Red Hawk killed at Point Pleasant. -Condition of Wheeling Fort.-" Fort Henry."-Situation and Importance of this Fort.-Attacked by four hundred Indians under Simon Girty.-Loss of the Garrison near the Fort.-Incidents of Indian Warfare.-Major M'Cullock.-Captain Mason.Major Clark plans the Reduction of Kaskaskia.-The Expedition proceeds from "the Falls."-Surprise and Capture of Kaskaskia and "Fort Gage."-Suspension of Civil Government in West Augusta.-Martial Law suspended.-Courts organized.-Attorneys and Attorney-general.-Daniel Boone and twenty-seven Men captured at Blue Licks. His Captivity among the Indians.-His Escape and Return to Boonesborough.-Makes an Incursion to Paint Creek.-Boonesborough invested by large Indian Force, August, 1778.-Defense and Incidents of the Siege.-" Fort M'Intosh" erected." Fort Laurens" erected.-Protracted Siege of Fort Laurens.-Court of Land Commissioners established in Kentucky, 1779.-First Settlement at Lexington, Bryant's Station, Forks of Licking, and on Sources of Salt River.-Massacre of Colonel Rodgers and ninety Men on the Ohio.-Colonel Bowman's unsuccessful Expedition to the Miami Towns.-Emigration to Kentucky.-Arrival of Immigrants in 1779. -Scarcity of Provisions.-Depreciation of Paper Currency.-Distress of Emigrants until 1780.-Defenses on the Ohio.-"Fort Nelson."-Colonel Slaughter.-Landed Interest in Kentucky.-The Indians capture Ruddle's and Martin's Stations, and retire.-Destruction of the Moravian Towns on the Coshocton.-Massacre of Captives and friendly Moravians.-Colonel Clark invades the Shawanese Country in 1780.Militia Organization in 1780.-Colonel Clark erects "Fort Jefferson" on the Mississippi. Southern Boundary of Virginia extended to the Mississippi.

[A.D. 1776.] DURING the period under consideration, the state of Virginia, in virtue of her royal charter, claimed all the territory which would be included by extending her northern and southern boundaries due west to the Mississippi. This would comprise all the lands east of the Mississippi between the parallels of 36° 30′ and 39° 40', of course including Ken