In the Current of the Revolution 89 



by Captain Leonard Helm, then acting as comman- 

 dant at Vincennes. He had but a couple of Ameri- 

 cans with him, and was forced to trust ta the creole 

 militia, who had all embodied themselves with great 

 eagerness, having taken the oath of allegiance to 

 Congress. Having heard rumors of the British ad- 

 vance, he had despatched a little party to keep watch, 

 and in consequence of their capture he was taken 

 by surprise. 



From Ouiatanon Hamilton despatched Indian 

 parties to surround Vincennes and intercept any 

 messages sent either to the Falls or to the Illinois; 

 they were completely successful, capturing a mes- 

 senger who carried a hurried note written by Helm 

 to Clark to announce what had happened. An ad- 

 vance guard, under Major Hay, was sent forward 

 to take possession, but Helm showed so good a front 

 that nothing was attempted until the next day, the 

 1 7th of December, just seventy-one days after the 

 expedition had left Detroit, when Hamilton came up 

 at the head of his whole force and entered Vin- 

 cennes. Poor Helm was promptly deserted by all 

 the creole militia. The latter had been loud in 

 their boasts until the enemy came in view, but as 

 soon as they caught sight of the red-coats they 

 began to slip away and ran up to the British to sur- 

 render their arms. 10 He was finally left with only 

 one or two men, Americans. Nevertheless he re- 

 fused the first summons to surrender ; but Hamilton, 



10 Do. Intercepted letter of Captain Helm, Series B, Vol. 



122, p. 280. 



