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Articles of Surrender from Henry Hamilton to George Rogers Clark
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British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton Surrendered
February 25, 1779
Clark discovered that Hamilton was strengthening his defenses at Fort Sackville at Vincennes, Indiana. To capture the fort, Clark needed to attack soon. He could rely on his men's expert marksmanship, but with only 200 buckskin-clad pioneers under his command, he needed a plan.Clark arrived in Vincennes on February 23, 1779. He ordered his men to march all the company's flags back and forth behind a bluff in sight of the fort. Hamilton, thinking he was overwhelmed by a company of 600 men instead of 200, thought he should surrender. He requested that Clark meet with him at a nearby church on February 24 to discuss terms. On the morning of February 25, Hamilton surrendered. He was imprisoned at Williamsburg, and the British never regained control of the fort. An American flag was raised above the fort and cannon shots were fired in celebration.
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