Arrival at Kaskaskia

A map showing Corn Island at the Falls of the Ohio. This is the place where Clark stopped in the late spring of 1778 to train his men before proceeding to Fort Sackville.

Departing on May 12th, Clark’s 150 Virginia Volunteers traveled down the Ohio River to Corn Island, opposite of the town of Louisville. During this time, Clark received word that France had formally recognized the United States and was prepared to offer their support to the American cause. After spending time training his men, Clark’s force left Corn Island with a new determination on June 24th, 1778, continuing downriver by boat towards his first destination, Kaskaskia, a town first established by the French in 1702. Partway there, Clark became suspicious of river spies who might have alerted the British to his presence in the area. Consequently, Clark had his troops take their boats out near Fort Massac (by the mouth of the Tennessee River) and continued 120 miles overland on foot. On July 4th, Clark and his men reached Kaskaskia, taking the village without firing a shot. Not long after arriving, Clark soon met Father Pierre Gibault, the Roman Catholic vicar general of the Illinois Country who would quickly become one of Clark’s biggest allies and a great asset in winning the support of French villagers in the area.

Click Here to read about Gibault’s reaction to Clark’s arrival.

Did the knowledge of France’s support give courage to Clark and his men? How might have Clark’s expedition ended differently if river spies had detected his whereabouts?