Providing Intelligence to Clark

Vigo kept his promise, traveling directly back to St. Louis and then immediately made the journey to Cahokia, where Clark was stationed, to report about the situation at Vincennes. Clark recorded in his memoir that Vigo arrived on January 29th, 1779. Vigo reported that 30 British regulars and 50 French volunteers from Detroit, as well as 400 Indians had taken over the post in December. But because it was the middle of winter, Hamilton had allowed his Indian and French allies to return home. Only a small group of British troops remained to repair the Fort. Hamilton was waiting for reinforcements to come in the Spring and then he planned to march toward Clark at Cahokia. Clark was stunned by this vital information, writing of Vigo that, “In short, we got every information from this gentleman that we could wish for, as he had had good opportunities, and had taken great pains to inform himself, with a design to give intelligence.” Vigo also suggested that Clark immediately march his troops to Ft. Sackville and take the small British force by surprise. Clark took Vigo’s advice, a recommendation that would play a large role in Clark’s success at Sackville.