AncientPages.com - During the Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolutionary War and the U.S. War of Independence, the Colonists often had to bluff their way to victory.
That's what happened in 1779 in Vincennes, Indiana.
This dramatic painting is one of several at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes, Indiana that depicts the life of Patriot Clark. Here he is accepting the surrender of Fort Sackville from Colonel Henry Hamilton.
To stop the raids, George Rogers Clark led his Kentucky militia and frontiersmen into Illinois territory to strike at the base of Indian operations. He captured two British posts along the Mississippi, then turned his small army toward Vincennes. After an 18-day march, Clark and his force of 170 Americans and Frenchmen reached Fort Sackville, arriving on February 23, 1779.
After the French and Indian War, the British controlled much of the Trans-Appalachian frontier.
In 1763, they forbade the settlement of lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. From their posts north of the Ohio River, they began sending Indian war parties against settlers who ignored the proclamation line.
After an 18-day march, Clark and 170 Americans and Frenchmen reached Fort Sackville on February 23, 1779.
After spending February 24 re-supplying, thanks to French citizens of Vincennes, Clark convinced the larger British garrison that he had an even larger force.
Clark's men surrounded the fort and paraded flags sufficient for an army of 500 men. His frontiersmen also maintained such a rapid rate of fire that the British thought there were many Americans. He next ordered tunneling operations to convince the British that he was tunneling to place explosives under the fort walls. Further, he collected five captured Indians to be tomahawked in full view of the fort to un-nerve the defenders.
On February 25, the defeated British army surrendered Fort Sackville.
The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous is held annually on Memorial Day weekend. The event celebrates the capture of Fort Sackville in 1779.
Today, participants of the Vincennes Rendezvous include artisans, strolling musicians, and re-enactors portraying soldiers and camp followers. Revolution-era food, such as buffalo burgers, turkey legs, and homemade pies, is served.
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