Clark.

This is coolbert:

A most significant person from American history in general and from American military history in particular is George Rogers Clark?

It is because of the efforts of Clark, while in command of a small band of frontier militia, that the size of the United States was DOUBLED in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War.

And yet, little if nothing is ever mentioned about George Rogers Clark in American history books. This would appear to be a significant oversight.

I believe the bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville is called the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge. And that is about it. Not much is remember about George Rogers Clark. A lot more is known about and has been written about the younger [by 18 years] brother of George Rogers, his brother, William. William Clark of course was the co-commander of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition to survey the Louisiana Purchase. But of George Rogers, a blank slate for the most part seems to exist.

George Rogers Clark was a man of the most extraordinary abilities and talents.

A military leader of repute, respected both by the American Indian and his fellow English speaking frontiersmen.

"The fact that the Kentucky settlers entrusted Clark with such great responsibility at the age of 24, and that he was sufficiently persuasive to bring the General Assembly and a number of important men around to his way of thinking was indicative of his personal charisma, speaking abilities, leadership and qualities of mind. He was well over six feet tall, had red hair and was reliably reported to have been rugged and handsome. The fear and respect which he inspired in his Indian enemies indicated that he was a formidable warrior . . . [but] whenever possible he used diplomacy and bluff rather than battle in dealing with the Indians. When he retired to Clarksville in later life, the Indian chiefs and warriors still came to smoke the pipe of peace and friendship with their conqueror, calling him "the first man living, the great and invincible long-knife."

Skilled at military intelligence, negotiation, psychological warfare, and leadership. A man possessing a keen sense of offensive action and initiative.

"George Rogers Clark was a master of military intelligence, strategy and tactics; a practical psychologist who could persuade literally anybody to his thinking, including French settlers, chiefs of Native American tribes, the British military, and his own men; a brilliant field commander; and a 6-foot, 200-pounder with red hair."

A man who believed in measured audacity. Audacity that resulted in great rewards for the at-the-time-newly-formed United States.

AND ALL THIS FROM A MAN WHO WAS ONLY TWENTY FOUR YEARS OLD?!

It should be remembered that the American territory at the time of the Revolutionary War consisted of only the original thirteen states on the eastern seaboard. All territory west of the Allegheny Mountains was generally under the control of Great Britain. The land that became the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indian, Illinois and Wisconsin was known at the time as the Northwest Territory. Small settler towns and [inhabited by primarily settlers of French or French-Canadian ancestry] and forts manned by British troops [fortified by large numbers of American Indians loyal to the British cause] dotted the territory.

***********************

"In 1776, when independence was declared, the United States included only the thirteen original States on the seaboard. With the exception of a few hunters there were no white men west of the Allegheny Mountains, and there was not even an American hunter in the great country out of which we have since made the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. All this region north of the Ohio River then formed apart of the Province of Quebec. It was a wilderness of forests and prairies, teeming with game, and inhabited by many warlike tribes of Indians."

************************

From 1776 onward, the British commander of the garrison at Detroit, Hamilton, encouraged the Indian nations of the Northwest Territory to wage war against the American settlers of Kentucky. Bounty was paid for scalps brought back as trophies. Proof that a settler had been killed.

This challenge and attacks upon the American settlers was answered by the inspired leadership of George Rogers Clark. Empowered to lead an expeditionary force to defeat the British garrisons with the Northwest Territory, Clark made ready and put his plans into fruition.

In 1778, the then GENERAL George Rogers Clark [at the age of TWENTY SIX!!] led his expeditionary party of about two hundred frontier militia on a campaign that had as it's goal the defeat of British forces in the Northwest Territory. A campaign that succeeded in a manner that could not have been anticipated. A successful campaign that had dramatic consequences.

"As George Rogers Clark pushed onward through British territory, he succeeded in capturing the forts at Vincennes, Cascaskia, and Cahokia, winning control of the Northwest Territory and doubling the size of the newly forming United States of America. All of this was accomplished without the loss of one man. In fact, it has been theorized that if Clark had not been as victorious as he was against the British, the Canadian and U.S. border might have been the Ohio River. Now there is something to think about!!"

These victories of George Rogers Clark are astounding by what seems the relative ease with which the enemy capitulated. [these victories were obtained without losing a man???!!!].

Rather than focus upon the ineptitude of the British, credit should be given to Clark and his men for their daring-do.

Clark and his men were experienced fighters, frontiersmen accustomed to living rough and crossing uncharted territory with ease. Skilled in the use of the weaponry they carried and led by an inspired and skilled commander.

And yet, for a combination of reasons, as has been mentioned before, the name of George Rogers Clark is not well known in American history annals. This should be considered to be an unfortunate oversight.

"Political enemies, the bureaucracy of Virginia, and the indifference of history has robbed George Rogers Clark of his titles and reputation, beggared him of most of his fortune, and has confused him with his brother William of the Lewis and Clark Expedition."

[the quotation between the asterisks is from Theodore Roosevelt's American History].

coolbert.