From Clark's Memoir:
". . . we could not help doubting the honor of men who could condescend to encourage the barbarity of the Indians, although almost every man had conceived a favorable opinion of Governor Hamilton. . . . The morning of the 25th approaching, arrangements were made for receiving the garrison (which consisted of seventy-nine men) . . . my resolutions changed respecting Governor Hamilton's situation. . . .
"What had passed being made known to our officers, it was agreed that we should moderate our resolutions. . . . articles [of surrender] were sent to the garrison and an answer immediately returned."
Articles of Surrender - Fort Sackville
"1. . . . . That Lt Govr Hamilton engages to deliver up to Col. Clark Fort Sackville as it is at present With all the stores &c,
"2. . . . The Garrison the Garrison [sic] are to deliver themselves prisoners of War, & march out with their arms & accoutrements &c.
"3. . . . The garrison to be deliver'd up to morrow at ten o Clock.
"4. . . . Three days time to be allow'd the Garrison to settle their accounts with the Traders & Inhabitants of this place.
"5th The officers of the Garrison to be allow'd their necessary baggage &c. signed at Post Vincent 24th Feb'y. 79. Agreed to for the following Reasons - The Remoteness of Succour, the state and Quantity of Provisions &c. the Unanimity of officers and men on its expediency, The Hon'ble Terms allow'd and lastly the confidence in a Generous enemy.
HENRY HAMILTON L. Govr
& Supr Intendt."
From Bowman's Journal, James Alton James, ed., George Rogers Clark Papers, 1771-1781 (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1912), p. 162.
Surrender of Fort Sackville
Hamilton's Journal:
"[February 25, 1779] . . . At ten o'Clock we marched out with fixed Bayonettes and our Knapsacks . . .
"The Colors were not hoisted this morning that we might be spared the mortification of hawling them down but the Rebels had them presently hoisted with their 13 Stripes over them."
John D. Barnhart, ed., Henry Hamiton and George Rogers Clark in the American Revolution with the Unpublished Journal of Lieut.Gov. Henry Hamilton (Crawfordsville, Ind.: R. E. Banta, 1951), p. 186.
Bowman's Journal:
"[February] 25th [1779] About 10 O Clock Capt. Bowman & Capt. McCarty Companies paraded on the one side of the Fort Gate, Govr Hamilton and his Garrison Marched out whilst Col. Clark Capts Williams & Wetheringtons comp'y marched into the fort Reliev'd the Centry's hoisted the American colors - Secur'd all their arms Govr Hamilton marched back to the fort."
James Alton James, ed., George Rogers Clark Papers, 1771-1781 (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1912), p. 162.
225th Anniversary Exhibit
- Home
- Under Many Nations
- American Revolution in the East
- American Revolution in the West
- Clark Goes West
- Year of the "Bloody Sevens"
- Clark's Daring Plan
- The Campaign Begins
- Taking Kaskaskia
- Taking Cahokia
- Taking Fort Sackville
- Peace with the Indians
- The British Retake Fort Sackville
- Clark Learns about Hamilton's Move
- March to Vincennes - February 5, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 15, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 17, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 22, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - The Dry Ground
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - Warriors Island
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - Clark Attacks the Fort
- The Fort under Siege - February 24, 1779
- Terms of Surrender Determined - February 24, 1779
- Clark and the End of the American Revolution
- Clark after the American Revolution
- Plat of Clark's Grant
- Additional Aspects of Clark's Life and Work
- Clark's Death
- Celebrating Clark
- Note on the Sources
- Who's Who
- Timeline
- Exhibit Bibliography
- Contributing Organizations