Description
George Rogers Clark wrote this letter to Governor Patrick Henry to report that he had taken the fort at Vincennes on the Wabash River from the British under the command of Henry Hamilton. Clark and his soldiers arrived at Vincennes after enduring a 200-mile march from Kaskaskia through harrowing conditions. Clark took the fort after controversially executing prisoners. This escapade made Clark famous as a leader of Americans in the West.
Full Transcript of Letter from George Rogers Clark to Patrick Henry
Transcribed Excerpt from the Letter from George Rogers Clark to Patrick Henry
Source-Dependent Questions
- Control of the fort at Vincennes changed hands several times during 1778. The British had original control, Clark and the Americans took control, then the British regained control. When you look at a map of British and French Dominions of North America in 1763, make an analysis of the locations of these forts and summarize their strategic importance on the river.
- What can you infer about Clark's leadership skills based on his response when he learned that British Governor Hamilton had "weakened himself," but was still planning to attack Vincennes?
- In this letter, Clark details a 200-mile march he took to Vincennes with 130 men. As you read about the conditions of the march, consider what leadership skills Clark possessed to motivate those men to complete the march and not give up. Describe at least three characteristics of leadership you think he would have had to possess.
- Clark wrote that, "I made all the preparations I possibly could for the attack and was necessitated to set fire to some of the houses in Town to clear them out of the way..." What does this passage indicate of the brutality of Clark's leadership?
Citation Information
Clark, George Rogers, "George Rogers Clark to Patrick Henry, April 29, 1779, Illinois Expedition; Capture of British Trading Post at Vincennes," 29 April 1779. Courtesy of Library of Congress