A 26-Acre Park With The George Rogers Clark Memorial And Scenic Paths Commemorating Americas History
When people think of the Revolutionary War they often think of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Lexington, Concord... And when they hear the last name Clark, they think of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. But the George Rogers Clark Natural Historical Park in Vincennes, Indiana offers a new bit of history – a new story – for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, memorial hunters and knowledge seekers alike.
Surrounded by beautiful foliage and colorful trees, park guests can walk down a scenic path on the 26-acre park towards the George Rogers Clark Memorial, a stunning granite structure with an eagle towering over the column-clad entrance. Inside the impressive building are several murals, each painted by Ezra Winter over two and a half years. Quotes and bronze statues complete the short walk through the memorial.
On the outside of the building are a few Roman numerals, including one that represents the year 1779. That's the year that Clark captured Fort Sackville from the British. And that happened right where the memorial now proudly sits. To visit the memorial is to walk the same ground where a great battle took place, a battle that is often considered one of the most important Revolutionary War moments on the west of the Appalachians.
“This is a hidden story we don't often hear about in our textbooks,” said Chief Ranger Joe Herron. “People often don't know who George Rogers is. They mix him up with his brother, from Louis and Clark. This is a hidden story that often surprises people because of George's dedication. He had put his whole family fortune on the line. The people of Indiana just want to acknowledge that.”
During the Revolutionary War, it was not common to fight during the wintertime. It was “completely unseen,” said Herron. But that didn't stop Clark and his men, a militia that was half made up of Canadian volunteers sympathetic to the American cause. He led his men over 180 miles, across the state of Illinois, noting that the journey was “wet” and how they often had to walk through water several inches deep.
They reached the Little Wabash River on February 13. It was flooded. The stream was about five miles wide. Clark and his men built a large canoe to shuttle their men across. Many men waded through the river. With little supplies and no food for the past few days, moral was low. Still, they marched.
George Rogers Clark and his men reached the British garrison led by Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton at sunset on February 23, catching Hamilton off guard. He didn't realize the fort was under attack until one of his men was wounded by a bullet coming through a window.
“Hamilton had been accused of having Native Americans attack American settlers throughout Kentucky and the northwest territory,” said Herron. “These were some really horrific attacks. The attitude at the time was that Hamilton was inciting a lot of that violence, supposedly providing scalping knives to the Indians. These stories were really affecting the minds of a lot of men that had to go fight in the east.”
The capturing of Hamilton and the fall of Fort Sackville was a major turn of events for Americans in the northwest, who then felt more confident in traveling to the east to fight the British in the more major battles.
At 10 am on February 25, Hamilton's garrison of 79 men marched out of the fort and Clark's men raised the American flag. They renamed it Fort Patrick Henry.
For Herron, the park is just the tip of the iceberg for history buffs who come to visit. The park is just a mile walk from the capital of Indiana. While many people visit Vincennes to see the landmark the town has other historical sites sprinkled throughout, including Henry Harrison's mansion and a military museum.
And the town all comes together on Memorial Day weekend for the Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous, a living history encampment that comes to the park. The park provides historic speeches and a space for the reenactors to camp out, the town provides vendors, merchants and other entertainment. The event has been known to draw between 500 and 600 visitors.
Reenactors dress up as the British troops, American militia men, Native Americans and even civilians. Visitors can watch demonstrators shear sheep, milk goats, carve bowls, make soap and pottery, and more.
“One of the coolest parts is at the very end,” said Herron, who has attended the Rendezvous for the past three years. “All of the military reenactors will march out and do a large salute. They march out in front of the memorial and fire a cannon. It's really cool. To be on the grounds – on the site where Clark and his men fought – and acknowledge it... It kind of takes over. It pulls you out of time. It's definitely like taking a step back.”
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Casey KOA, near the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Costumed guides play Tom and Sarah Lincoln and their neighbors at the working living history farm, owned in the 1840s by Honest Abe's father and stepmother.