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Terms of Surrender Determined - February 24 1779

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."

Fort Sackville

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John D. Barnhart, ed., Henry Hamiton and George Rogers Clark in the American Revolution with the Unpublished Journal of Lieut.Gov.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.

The Fall of Fort Sackville

Hamilton adn La Mothe Sent in Irons to Williamsburg

225th Anniversary Exhibit