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[gentle music]
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- Jenny Pederson:
Welcome, everyone,
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to "History Sandwiched In."
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My name is Jenny Pederson, and
I am the public programs manager
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with the Wisconsin
Historical Society,
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and it's a pleasure
to have you all with us.
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A note that opinions expressed
today during the presentation
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are those of the speaker
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and not those of the
Wisconsin Historical Society
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or the society's employees.
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It is an absolute pleasure today
to introduce Mary.
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She is sharing a presentation,
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"Residents of 'Wisconsin'
in the American Revolution."
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And before I hand it over,
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I'm going to share a brief
biography of our lecturer.
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Mary Elise Antoine was born
and raised in Prairie du Chien.
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She is a graduate of
Marquette University, Milwaukee,
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and the State University
of New York, Oneonta,
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with an M.A.
in history museum studies.
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Mary Elise has over 40 years
of professional experience
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working for history museums
and in historic preservation.
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She was curator of collections
and research
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at Villa Louis
State Historic Site
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and National Historic Landmark,
conducting research
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that directed the restoration
of the site.
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She is past president
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of the Prairie du Chien
Historical Society
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and a member of the board of
the Historic Indian Agency House
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in Portage, Wisconsin.
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Mary Elise has researched
and written articles and books
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which document cultural
minorities in the late 18th
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and early 19th century
American society.
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These include
The War of 1812 in Wisconsin:
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The Battle
for Prairie du Chien,
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Frenchtown Chronicles
of Prairie du Chien,
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Enslaved, Indentured, Free:
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Five Black Women
in the Upper Mississippi,
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and her most recent book,
Elegant Artifice:
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The Women Who Forged
a Legacy at Villa Louis,
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all published by the Wisconsin
Historical Society Press.
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She also authored
Frenchtown Cemetery:
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Old Catholic Burying Ground
at Prairie du Chien, 1816-1840.
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She has written two books
on Prairie du Chien,
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published by Arcadia Publishing
as well.
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Mary Louise continues
to research and write
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and work at Villa Louis
in the museum field.
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She lives in a restored
French-Canadian house
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in Prairie du Chien.
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Please join me in giving a warm
welcome to Mary Louise Antoine
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and enjoy the presentation.
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[audience applauds]
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- Mary Elise Antoine:
Thank you very much, Jenny.
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It's an honor to be here,
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and I am going to enjoy sharing
this topic with you.
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I was asked how come I did this.
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Well, as you heard, I am born
and raised in Prairie du Chien,
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still live there.
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And so much of my research
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focuses around the early history
of Prairie du Chien.
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And I spent 14 years
on the East Coast,
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where they talk about the
American Revolution all the time
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and then came home to realize,
"Hey.
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That revolution also occurred in
what is now called Wisconsin."
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So, I put together this program
and hope you enjoy it.
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So, at the time
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that the American Revolution was
beginning to get thought about,
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we have this whole country here
of the western Great Lakes
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and the upper Mississippi.
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And these are the
Native American nations
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that lived within this area,
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and most people
on the East Coast
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had no idea as to who lived in,
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as the French called it,
the Pays d'en Haut,
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or as the British called it,
the Indian country.
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So, the majority of the
residents in this area
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were of Native American
heritage.
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But two small communities
had already begun by 1776,
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and one was called La Baie.
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It's now Green Bay,
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and it was at the beginning
of the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway.
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And the other small community
was La Prairie du Chien,
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or as we call it,
Prairie du Chien today.
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And this was at the end
of the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway.
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That Fox-Wisconsin Waterway
connected the Mississippi River
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all the way
to the Great Lakes,
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going through all of them.
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And from there, you could go
into the St. Lawrence River.
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So, travel between the East
Coast and what's now Wisconsin
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could be done.
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But before we get
to the revolution per se,
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there's a little background
that shows a lot of the reasons
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why the American Revolution came
to what is now Wisconsin.
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The French had been migrating
into this area
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since the late 1600s.
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And in time, they ended up
constructing three forts
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that were also communities.
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So, not only were there men
who lived there
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who were engaged
in the fur trade,
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but there was
a military component,
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there were families,
and there were also other people
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who had supports
of the fur trade,
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like carpenters or blacksmiths.
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And in this story
of the American Revolution,
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all three of these forts
play a role.
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Now, at Fort Michilimackinac,
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one of the men who lived there
was Charles Michel de Langlade.
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His father, Augustin,
had married an Odawa woman,
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and Charles was the child
of a French-Canadian man
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engaged in the fur trade
and an Odawa woman.
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He soon became very much a part
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of the Fort Michilimackinac
community,
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and as he grew older,
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he was made an officer
in the French colonial regulars.
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And that is a copy
of his commission
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from the king of France.
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Well, Great Britain and France
were vying for control
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of the lands west
of the Appalachian Mountains
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to the Mississippi River
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because this was very rich
fur-bearing country,
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and the fur trade was one
of the main economies
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of Great Britain and of France,
and the best furs came
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from the western Great Lakes/
upper Mississippi region
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besides Canada.
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And the British had
only 13 colonies
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on the eastern seaboard,
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and they began to try and get
into the land claimed by France,
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which began in the Ohio Valley
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and spread westward
and northward.
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And Charles became quite
involved in the confrontation
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that begins in what is now
western Pennsylvania
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and New York and Kentucky.
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And all of this leads to what we
call the French and Indian War.
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If you live in Europe,
it's the Seven Years' War.
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If you live
in French-speaking Canada,
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it's the War of Conquest.
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But Charles proved himself to be
an able leader of men,
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and the French called upon him
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to lead Native American
contingents against the British
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once war had been declared.
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He helped defeat General
Braddock at Fort Duquesne,
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leading Native peoples
of the Three Fires Confederacy.
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And along with them came
his very young nephew,
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Charles Gautier de Vierville.
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And they continued to lead
Native American troops
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against Robert Rogers
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and then were involved in the
Battle of Lake George in 1757.
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So, when Charles returns
to Michilimackinac,
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he is placed as second in
command of the French fort there
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and once again is called upon,
with his nephew,
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to help defend the French empire
on the Plains of Abraham.
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And at that point,
he is commissioned a lieutenant
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in the French marine.
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Well, when the war ends,
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the French government offers
Michel, or Charles Michel
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the opportunity to move
to France
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along with the other
French military people
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who are returning to France.
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And he has no desire to do so
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because his family and all
of his connections are here.
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And so, the French commander
at Fort Michilimackinac
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puts Charles in charge
of the French fort,
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and he is ordered to surrender
the fort to the British in 1761.
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And being ever the optimist
or something,
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Charles does surrender the fort
to the British,
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but then is placed in command
of the fort until 1763
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and becomes part
of the British military.
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And again, the reason
they are asking Charles
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to come now
onto the British side
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is because of his influence
among the Native Americans
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and of the area that is
around Sault Sainte Marie
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in Mackinac Island.
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And so, he is commissioned
a lieutenant
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in the British
Indian Department.
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The British Indian Department
is set up separate
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from the British military,
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but is run very much
on a military pattern.
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And this is Charles' coat
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from when he was a lieutenant in
the British Indian Department,
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along with his knife
and his bag.
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The coat is owned
by the Neville Museum.
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So, Great Britain gains control
of all of the land
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from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Mississippi River
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and up into what is called
Canada.
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And Canada becomes
the 14th colony of Great Britain
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in North America.
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And the colonists who live
in the 13 colonies
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immediately start venturing
into that land
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that France controlled west
of the Appalachian Mountains,
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and they start disturbing
the Native American people
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who live there.
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And that disturbance
affects the fur trade,
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which Great Britain
does not want disturbed.
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So, King George issues
a royal proclamation in 1763
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saying that there is to be
no settlement west
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of the Appalachian Mountains
to the Mississippi River
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unless someone has
the permission of the governor
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or of even Parliament.
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Those settlements that are
already there can remain
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because all of them benefit
the British fur trade.
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And so, the British set up
trading agreements
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with the Native American
nations,
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and the fur trade continues,
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much as it had been initiated
under the French,
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in the same method
as under the British.
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In the meantime, the colonists
are getting a little frustrated.
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They are not allowed
to move into that rich lands
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west of the
Appalachian Mountains.
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The farmland there
is much better
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than you're going to find
in New England or New York.
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And the southern colonies
are depleting their land
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by growing tobacco on it.
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Not only that,
the colonists are being taxed.
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And a lot of those taxes are
raised, are done to raise money
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to pay for the French
and Indian War.
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So, when you hear "No taxation
without representation,"
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those taxes are paying
for that war
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that gained North America
for Great Britain.
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Well, in time,
the frustration rises.
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And in April 1775, the Battle
of Lexington and Concord occurs.
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And as I said, by April 1775,
there are two communities,
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two Euro-American communities,
in what is now Wisconsin,
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and that is La Baie
and Prairie du Chien.
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Quite often, this doesn't get
a lot of attention
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in the study
of the American Revolution,
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but after the battles
of Lexington and Concord
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and Bunker Hill,
the United States Army,
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or Continental Army,
as it was still called then,
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decides that the first
major effort
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is going to be an invasion
of Quebec.
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The 13 colonies feel
that they can convince
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the colony of Quebec
to be part of their revolution,
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especially those French-speaking
people who are Catholic
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and are now under the subjection
of Great Britain.
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And so, a two-pronged invasion
is planned,
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one leaving from New York,
going up the Hudson River
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through Lake Champlain
to Montreal,
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led by General
Richard Montgomery.
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00:14:34,775 --> 00:14:40,214
The second part of that invasion
is led by Benedict Arnold,
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and it is going to go up through
what is now Maine and that area
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to attack Quebec.
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And immediately,
the British military
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and the governor of Canada,
Governor Carleton,
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are very familiar with Charles,
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and they start talking about
having him become involved
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00:15:06,173 --> 00:15:09,743
in protecting the province
of Quebec.
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As Governor Guy Carleton says,
Langlade is
247
00:15:13,914 --> 00:15:18,685
"a man I have every reason
to be very much satisfied with
248
00:15:18,752 --> 00:15:22,055
"and from whom his influence
among the Indians
249
00:15:22,122 --> 00:15:25,926
of that district
may be very much of use."
250
00:15:26,493 --> 00:15:30,397
By 1775, Charles and his family
have moved
251
00:15:32,699 --> 00:15:36,236
from Fort Michilimackinac
to La Baie.
252
00:15:36,303 --> 00:15:40,874
And so, Langlade,
along with the Grignon family,
253
00:15:41,875 --> 00:15:46,113
become permanent settlements,
settlers at Green Bay.
254
00:15:46,180 --> 00:15:49,783
And it's their settlement
that starts the community.
255
00:15:49,850 --> 00:15:54,121
So, Charles calls upon
the Native American people,
256
00:15:54,188 --> 00:15:57,191
with whom he has long
been allied,
257
00:15:57,257 --> 00:16:00,260
mainly the Odawa
and the Ojibwe,
258
00:16:01,595 --> 00:16:04,264
and he puts together a force.
259
00:16:05,432 --> 00:16:08,435
And Captain Arent de Peyster
is commander
260
00:16:08,502 --> 00:16:10,604
of Fort Michilimackinac.
261
00:16:10,671 --> 00:16:14,908
Charles raises a force
of 150 Odawa and Ojibwe
262
00:16:16,143 --> 00:16:19,813
and bring along a man
as an interpreter.
263
00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:24,618
You have to realize
that Charles speaks French
264
00:16:26,086 --> 00:16:28,589
and a Native American language,
265
00:16:28,655 --> 00:16:30,757
but this is
a British expedition,
266
00:16:30,824 --> 00:16:34,962
so we need someone
who can speak English.
267
00:16:35,028 --> 00:16:37,998
So, any orders
that are transmitted
268
00:16:38,065 --> 00:16:42,870
go from English to French
to the Native American language.
269
00:16:42,936 --> 00:16:45,906
So, you always have to have
an interpreter along
270
00:16:45,973 --> 00:16:47,975
with any expedition.
271
00:16:48,475 --> 00:16:50,377
And so, in July 1775,
272
00:16:52,246 --> 00:16:57,184
Langlade is ordered to beat up
for the Indian volunteers,
273
00:16:57,251 --> 00:16:59,086
meaning drum up.
274
00:16:59,152 --> 00:17:04,057
And not only does he
put together Odawa and Ojibwe
275
00:17:04,124 --> 00:17:07,861
but hundreds of Meskwaki,
Ho-Chunk, Sauk,
276
00:17:07,928 --> 00:17:10,163
Menominee, and Dakota.
277
00:17:10,497 --> 00:17:15,569
And his orders are, "You will do
your best to harass the rebels
278
00:17:15,636 --> 00:17:18,038
"wherever you may encounter
them,
279
00:17:18,105 --> 00:17:20,874
"and in all matters,
you will conduct yourself
280
00:17:20,941 --> 00:17:25,479
with your customary prudence
and humanity."
281
00:17:26,513 --> 00:17:31,518
So, Langlade and his Native
warriors go up to Montreal
282
00:17:32,219 --> 00:17:34,054
and in the process of this,
283
00:17:34,121 --> 00:17:38,358
help secure Montreal
for the British in 1776.
284
00:17:40,561 --> 00:17:45,232
The Continental Army's invasion
of Quebec fails.
285
00:17:46,767 --> 00:17:50,771
They do capture Montreal
with Montgomery,
286
00:17:51,705 --> 00:17:55,843
but Arnold is unable to capture
Quebec City.
287
00:17:57,578 --> 00:18:01,582
Langlade and his
Native American warriors
288
00:18:02,082 --> 00:18:05,319
help keep Arnold away
from Quebec,
289
00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:07,221
and then they return
290
00:18:07,287 --> 00:18:11,758
and help recapture Montreal
for Great Britain.
291
00:18:13,026 --> 00:18:15,495
So, while all this is going on,
292
00:18:15,562 --> 00:18:20,467
there are men from the 13
colonies meeting in Philadelphia
293
00:18:20,534 --> 00:18:23,270
to write the Declaration
of Independence,
294
00:18:23,337 --> 00:18:26,673
which is made public
in July 1776.
295
00:18:26,740 --> 00:18:28,075
And if you read the declaration,
296
00:18:28,141 --> 00:18:30,744
there are 27 grievances
in there.
297
00:18:30,811 --> 00:18:35,916
The grievances are somewhat
general in their discussion,
298
00:18:35,983 --> 00:18:40,220
but part of them relate
to what's been going on
299
00:18:41,355 --> 00:18:45,926
on the land west
of the Appalachian Mountains,
300
00:18:45,993 --> 00:18:51,331
west of that boundary line
from the proclamation of 1763.
301
00:18:52,332 --> 00:18:53,567
And, of course,
302
00:18:53,634 --> 00:18:57,070
all the grievances are placed
against King George III,
303
00:18:57,137 --> 00:19:00,908
even though Parliament passed
the laws, but...
304
00:19:00,974 --> 00:19:04,545
And so, everything is written
as "he,"
305
00:19:05,112 --> 00:19:07,314
meaning King George III.
306
00:19:07,381 --> 00:19:11,151
And so, one of the grievances
is that he refuses
307
00:19:11,218 --> 00:19:15,722
"to pass others encouraging
their migration hither,"
308
00:19:15,789 --> 00:19:18,192
meaning he's not allowing people
309
00:19:18,258 --> 00:19:22,563
to migrate west
of the Appalachian Mountains,
310
00:19:22,629 --> 00:19:25,799
and they can't raise
the conditions
311
00:19:25,866 --> 00:19:29,002
for new appropriation of lands.
312
00:19:29,069 --> 00:19:32,906
What this is is a complaint
that land speculators,
313
00:19:32,973 --> 00:19:35,609
of which George Washington
was one,
314
00:19:35,676 --> 00:19:39,112
cannot acquire the lands
to turn around
315
00:19:39,179 --> 00:19:44,852
and sell them to other people
who are interested in settling.
316
00:19:45,853 --> 00:19:49,223
"He has forbidden his governors
to pass laws
317
00:19:49,289 --> 00:19:51,792
of immediate
and pressing importance."
318
00:19:51,859 --> 00:19:56,330
Again, that has to do
with migration to the West.
319
00:19:57,364 --> 00:20:00,868
"He has kept among us in times
of peace standing armies
320
00:20:00,934 --> 00:20:03,370
without the consent
of our legislatures."
321
00:20:03,437 --> 00:20:07,741
While this is something to do
with the Boston Quartering Act,
322
00:20:07,808 --> 00:20:09,576
it also has to do with the fact
323
00:20:09,643 --> 00:20:13,514
that there are standing armies
in the western forts,
324
00:20:13,580 --> 00:20:16,917
which the colonists
originally requested
325
00:20:16,984 --> 00:20:19,052
to keep the Native Americans
326
00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:22,289
from attacking
American settlements.
327
00:20:22,356 --> 00:20:25,759
But now, they don't want that
standing.
328
00:20:25,826 --> 00:20:29,630
And the last one,
which is grievance 27,
329
00:20:29,696 --> 00:20:32,032
is not very commendable,
330
00:20:33,834 --> 00:20:38,205
the Declaration of Independence
and its people.
331
00:20:38,272 --> 00:20:39,873
King George "has endeavored
332
00:20:39,940 --> 00:20:43,443
"to bring on to the inhabitants
of our frontiers
333
00:20:43,510 --> 00:20:46,547
the merciless Indian Savages."
334
00:20:46,613 --> 00:20:49,449
So, those are some
of the grievances
335
00:20:49,516 --> 00:20:51,251
in the Declaration
of Independence,
336
00:20:51,318 --> 00:20:54,988
which reflect
on what is now Wisconsin.
337
00:20:57,858 --> 00:21:00,894
Well, they may have
written that,
338
00:21:00,961 --> 00:21:04,932
but it really doesn't make
much difference
339
00:21:04,998 --> 00:21:10,337
because now that England has
control of Montreal and Quebec,
340
00:21:10,404 --> 00:21:12,806
they decide it's about time
to end this war
341
00:21:12,873 --> 00:21:15,209
and put those rebels
in their place,
342
00:21:15,275 --> 00:21:18,946
and they plan
a three-pronged movement
343
00:21:21,081 --> 00:21:24,117
that they hope will divide
the colonies,
344
00:21:24,184 --> 00:21:28,155
divide the New England off
from the rest of the colonies
345
00:21:28,222 --> 00:21:30,891
and take control of New York.
346
00:21:32,993 --> 00:21:38,899
And one of those movements is to
be led by General John Burgoyne,
347
00:21:39,633 --> 00:21:44,471
and he enrolls Charles Langlade
and Charles Gautier
348
00:21:44,538 --> 00:21:47,875
into the Quebec
Indian Department.
349
00:21:48,375 --> 00:21:53,247
They again are to help raise
Native American troops.
350
00:21:53,313 --> 00:21:55,349
And one of the
Native American leaders
351
00:21:55,415 --> 00:22:00,721
who is very pro-British and more
than willing to help is Wabasha.
352
00:22:00,787 --> 00:22:03,357
Wabasha is a Dakota leader.
353
00:22:03,690 --> 00:22:06,693
Wabasha, Minnesota,
is named for him.
354
00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:09,830
And so, Wabasha
and another Dakota chief
355
00:22:09,897 --> 00:22:12,366
travel all the way to Montreal.
356
00:22:12,432 --> 00:22:16,069
And they came with him
was an interpreter,
357
00:22:16,136 --> 00:22:19,907
Joseph Roc,
who lives at Prairie du Chien.
358
00:22:19,973 --> 00:22:21,909
And Wabasha tells the governor
359
00:22:21,975 --> 00:22:26,313
that he's heard "your summons
addressed to the whole world"
360
00:22:26,380 --> 00:22:29,983
and he comes from "the most
distant of your children"
361
00:22:30,050 --> 00:22:35,522
to offer the services of
15,000 warriors to the British.
362
00:22:35,589 --> 00:22:40,394
And he says, "Therefore I will
return when it is your pleasure
363
00:22:40,460 --> 00:22:42,863
"and tell them of the happiness
I have
364
00:22:42,930 --> 00:22:45,966
in speaking with the father
of the world."
365
00:22:46,033 --> 00:22:49,970
And at this point,
Wabasha and his companions
366
00:22:50,037 --> 00:22:51,705
are given a medal.
367
00:22:53,907 --> 00:22:56,243
France had started this,
368
00:22:56,610 --> 00:23:00,781
granting medals
to Native American leaders
369
00:23:00,848 --> 00:23:03,851
with the image of King Louis
on it.
370
00:23:03,917 --> 00:23:07,921
And the medals were presented
almost like a contract.
371
00:23:07,988 --> 00:23:10,891
"You wear your father's medal.
372
00:23:11,658 --> 00:23:16,096
You are willing to trade with
us, and we will trade with you."
373
00:23:16,163 --> 00:23:20,067
And so, Great Britain does
exactly the same thing.
374
00:23:20,133 --> 00:23:22,336
But with Great Britain,
375
00:23:22,402 --> 00:23:26,573
it is more than just
an agreement to trade.
376
00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,244
It's an agreement
to support Great Britain
377
00:23:30,310 --> 00:23:33,447
in its conflict
against the colonies.
378
00:23:33,514 --> 00:23:36,583
And so, Wabasha
and the other leaders
379
00:23:36,650 --> 00:23:38,385
are granted these medals
380
00:23:38,452 --> 00:23:42,122
with an image of King George III
on them.
381
00:23:42,456 --> 00:23:46,660
And so, this is the British plan
to win the war.
382
00:23:46,727 --> 00:23:50,130
General Howe is to progress
up the Hudson River
383
00:23:50,197 --> 00:23:52,099
from New York City.
384
00:23:53,133 --> 00:23:57,371
General Burgoyne is to progress
from Quebec,
385
00:23:59,706 --> 00:24:03,010
up the St. Lawrence,
down the Richelieu,
386
00:24:03,076 --> 00:24:07,981
into Lake Champlain,
and then down the Hudson River.
387
00:24:09,082 --> 00:24:12,085
And he would meet Howe
at Albany.
388
00:24:13,153 --> 00:24:17,524
And the third branch,
under Barry St. Leger,
389
00:24:17,591 --> 00:24:19,526
is to leave Montreal,
390
00:24:19,593 --> 00:24:23,197
continue up the St. Lawrence
to Lake Ontario,
391
00:24:23,263 --> 00:24:26,266
and then go down
the Mohawk River
392
00:24:26,867 --> 00:24:28,669
and meet at Albany.
393
00:24:30,270 --> 00:24:34,274
And therefore the colonies
will be divided
394
00:24:34,775 --> 00:24:36,877
and the British
will have control
395
00:24:36,944 --> 00:24:38,378
not only of New York City,
396
00:24:38,445 --> 00:24:43,016
but all of New England
and the capital of New York.
397
00:24:43,984 --> 00:24:46,587
So, the campaign
for General Burgoyne begins
398
00:24:46,653 --> 00:24:48,655
in the summer of 1777,
399
00:24:49,823 --> 00:24:53,627
and the first engagement
is at the Battle of Saratoga.
400
00:24:53,694 --> 00:24:58,398
And as part of the British
troops at the Battle of Saratoga
401
00:24:58,465 --> 00:25:02,836
is Charles leading Menominee
and Ottawa people
402
00:25:02,903 --> 00:25:07,374
and Charles Gautier
leading Sauk and Meskwaki.
403
00:25:08,141 --> 00:25:12,613
Charles Langlade is placed
as second in command
404
00:25:12,679 --> 00:25:16,416
of what are called
Burgoyne's Indians,
405
00:25:16,483 --> 00:25:19,486
and it includes
more than Native Americans
406
00:25:19,553 --> 00:25:21,622
from what is now Wisconsin
407
00:25:21,688 --> 00:25:26,093
but also other Native nations
from the Ohio Valley.
408
00:25:26,159 --> 00:25:31,164
They would continue to fight,
especially the Ottawa,
409
00:25:31,832 --> 00:25:37,638
under Langlade's leadership
until the Battle of Bennington.
410
00:25:38,739 --> 00:25:40,174
But, of course,
411
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:45,379
this three-pronged plan
to divide the colonies fails.
412
00:25:46,346 --> 00:25:50,250
First of all, General Howe
never leaves New York City.
413
00:25:50,317 --> 00:25:53,187
Barry St. Leger gets as far
as Fort Stanwix,
414
00:25:53,253 --> 00:25:56,757
and he is so inebriated
he can't lead his troops.
415
00:25:56,823 --> 00:26:00,394
And then General Burgoyne
is defeated
416
00:26:01,295 --> 00:26:03,363
at the Battle of Saratoga
417
00:26:03,430 --> 00:26:09,069
and has to surrender his forces
after the Battle of Bennington.
418
00:26:10,103 --> 00:26:11,772
So, Charles--
419
00:26:12,139 --> 00:26:15,976
or both of the Charles,
Langlade and Gautier,
420
00:26:16,043 --> 00:26:19,046
return with their
Native American peoples
421
00:26:19,112 --> 00:26:24,017
to what is now Wisconsin
and the Upper Great Lakes.
422
00:26:24,084 --> 00:26:26,987
And the Native Americans
are a bit disgusted
423
00:26:27,054 --> 00:26:30,591
because there was nothing
that really occurred
424
00:26:30,657 --> 00:26:33,060
that they could celebrate.
425
00:26:34,094 --> 00:26:38,765
But the war continues,
and there is a new movement.
426
00:26:40,667 --> 00:26:44,238
George Rogers Clark
had already gone into Kentucky.
427
00:26:44,304 --> 00:26:47,140
He is William Clark's
older brother.
428
00:26:47,207 --> 00:26:52,346
And he goes to the governor
of Virginia, Patrick Henry,
429
00:26:54,114 --> 00:26:56,683
and tells him,
"You know, I'm very familiar
430
00:26:56,750 --> 00:27:01,555
with this area of Kentucky,"
in what's now Indiana.
431
00:27:02,656 --> 00:27:07,528
And he said, "I would like
permission to take this over
432
00:27:07,594 --> 00:27:13,066
for the state of Virginia,"
and not only capture Vincennes
433
00:27:15,936 --> 00:27:18,272
but also the communities
434
00:27:18,739 --> 00:27:22,676
that are in what is called
the Illinois Country.
435
00:27:22,743 --> 00:27:26,547
And Patrick Henry gives
his permission,
436
00:27:26,613 --> 00:27:29,216
and also gives him a little bit
of money.
437
00:27:29,283 --> 00:27:32,953
And so, George Rogers Clark
and his men,
438
00:27:33,420 --> 00:27:38,292
who were called the
Illinois Regiment of Virginia,
439
00:27:38,358 --> 00:27:42,029
leave Virginia
and progress westward.
440
00:27:43,030 --> 00:27:46,600
They readily capture
Fort Vincennes,
441
00:27:47,067 --> 00:27:50,904
and then they move on
to three communities
442
00:27:50,971 --> 00:27:52,606
that are now
in southern Illinois,
443
00:27:52,673 --> 00:27:57,144
Kaskaskia, Cahokia,
and Prairie du Rocher,
444
00:27:57,211 --> 00:28:01,148
and very quietly walk in
and take them over.
445
00:28:01,215 --> 00:28:04,084
The residents there are all
French-speaking people.
446
00:28:04,151 --> 00:28:07,120
They really have no love
for the British.
447
00:28:07,187 --> 00:28:12,192
And so, George Rogers Clark,
very quietly and calmly,
448
00:28:13,694 --> 00:28:17,030
gains control
of southern Illinois
449
00:28:17,531 --> 00:28:21,502
and claims all of the land
from Virginia
450
00:28:21,568 --> 00:28:24,938
to the Mississippi River
for the state of Virginia.
451
00:28:25,005 --> 00:28:26,573
And if you look at early maps,
452
00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:28,909
you'll see that Virginia
progresses
453
00:28:28,976 --> 00:28:34,214
all the way across the eastern
half of the United States.
454
00:28:34,748 --> 00:28:39,653
Well, the British are
not about to take this easily.
455
00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:44,758
And Lieutenant Governor
Henry Hamilton puts together
456
00:28:44,825 --> 00:28:48,462
a British force, again composed
of Native Americans
457
00:28:48,529 --> 00:28:51,198
from the Ohio-Indiana area,
458
00:28:52,232 --> 00:28:55,669
and engages
in the Battle of Fort Vincennes
459
00:28:55,736 --> 00:29:01,675
to try to recapture Vincennes
for Great Britain and fails.
460
00:29:01,742 --> 00:29:04,645
He ends up becoming a prisoner.
461
00:29:05,612 --> 00:29:09,082
But that does not stop
Great Britain,
462
00:29:09,650 --> 00:29:15,422
and they have another impetus
to try and gain this area back.
463
00:29:15,489 --> 00:29:18,058
Everything west
of the Mississippi River
464
00:29:18,125 --> 00:29:23,263
is claimed by Spain, so
they call it Spanish Louisiana,
465
00:29:24,765 --> 00:29:28,435
and in 1764,
they establish a community
466
00:29:30,003 --> 00:29:33,407
which they call St. Louis,
or St. Louis,
467
00:29:33,473 --> 00:29:35,809
which the English call Precour.
468
00:29:35,876 --> 00:29:38,212
And then, in June of 1779,
469
00:29:39,112 --> 00:29:43,851
Spain joins not as an enemy
of the United States
470
00:29:43,917 --> 00:29:47,187
and Great Britain,
but as an ally of France.
471
00:29:47,254 --> 00:29:51,692
Well, France has already come in
as an ally of the United States,
472
00:29:51,758 --> 00:29:56,129
and so Spain is now allied
against Great Britain.
473
00:29:56,196 --> 00:29:58,799
And the Americans
are very happy for this,
474
00:29:58,866 --> 00:30:02,536
because the Spanish
have been able to bring goods
475
00:30:02,603 --> 00:30:05,305
and material
up the Mississippi River,
476
00:30:05,372 --> 00:30:10,444
and now they're willing to sell
it across the Mississippi River
477
00:30:10,511 --> 00:30:14,314
to George Rogers Clark
and support them.
478
00:30:16,049 --> 00:30:18,519
And so, with this measure,
479
00:30:19,620 --> 00:30:24,892
Clark decides maybe he ought
to move westward and northward
480
00:30:24,958 --> 00:30:27,027
and start to control the rest
481
00:30:27,094 --> 00:30:31,098
of the northern part
of the Indian country.
482
00:30:32,699 --> 00:30:35,502
And so, the rumors started
that Rogers' forces
483
00:30:35,569 --> 00:30:39,973
are building boats at Chicago
to come up the Mississippi River
484
00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:44,178
and capture La Baie,
all the land on both east
485
00:30:46,213 --> 00:30:51,552
and west side of Lake Michigan
and Fort Michilimackinac.
486
00:30:52,219 --> 00:30:55,122
In response,
the new British governor,
487
00:30:55,189 --> 00:30:57,191
Sir Frederick Haldimand,
488
00:30:57,257 --> 00:31:00,727
stages another
three-pronged attack plan.
489
00:31:00,794 --> 00:31:03,530
Lieutenant Campbell,
who is at Pensacola,
490
00:31:03,597 --> 00:31:06,333
is ordered to attack
New Orleans.
491
00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,736
Arent de Peyster,
who is at Detroit,
492
00:31:10,437 --> 00:31:13,440
is ordered to attack Vincennes.
493
00:31:13,874 --> 00:31:17,511
And the commander at Fort Pitt,
which is now Pittsburgh,
494
00:31:17,578 --> 00:31:22,749
is to prevent any U.S. forces
to go to Kaskaskia or Cahokia
495
00:31:22,816 --> 00:31:25,619
to support George Rogers Clark.
496
00:31:26,653 --> 00:31:28,722
Thirdly, Sinclair,
497
00:31:28,789 --> 00:31:32,426
who is now a lieutenant governor
at Fort Michilimackinac,
498
00:31:32,492 --> 00:31:36,129
is to gather,
at Prairie du Chien, troops
499
00:31:36,196 --> 00:31:38,699
and descend
the Mississippi River
500
00:31:38,765 --> 00:31:41,902
and attack St. Louis
and Cahokia.
501
00:31:42,769 --> 00:31:47,007
So, this military plan is begun
in early 1780.
502
00:31:50,544 --> 00:31:53,514
Now, in the meantime,
along the Mississippi River,
503
00:31:53,580 --> 00:31:57,384
the fur trade continues
as it had before,
504
00:31:58,652 --> 00:32:03,590
especially with people along
the Mississippi and La Baie,
505
00:32:03,657 --> 00:32:08,095
because they're still far enough
away from what's going on.
506
00:32:08,161 --> 00:32:13,066
And one of the men who lives
at Cahokia is Charles Gratiot.
507
00:32:13,133 --> 00:32:18,138
A little community in Wisconsin,
Gratiot Grove, is named for him.
508
00:32:18,205 --> 00:32:21,808
And he is a major fur trader
in Cahokia.
509
00:32:21,875 --> 00:32:25,546
He has often traded
at Prairie du Chien.
510
00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:28,615
So, in the spring of 1780,
511
00:32:30,117 --> 00:32:34,688
he has a boat filled
with all sorts of trade goods
512
00:32:34,755 --> 00:32:37,491
that he wants brought up
to Prairie du Chien
513
00:32:37,558 --> 00:32:40,661
to trade for the furs
that have been captured
514
00:32:40,727 --> 00:32:44,097
and processed during the winter
by the Dakota
515
00:32:44,164 --> 00:32:48,135
and the other
northern Native nations.
516
00:32:48,202 --> 00:32:52,539
And he puts Jean-Baptiste
Cardinal in charge.
517
00:32:53,173 --> 00:32:55,742
Cardinal is from St. Louis,
518
00:32:56,176 --> 00:32:59,680
but again, he's very familiar
with Prairie du Chien.
519
00:32:59,746 --> 00:33:03,917
He has traveled up there
since the mid-1700s,
520
00:33:03,984 --> 00:33:08,255
when the land was still part
of New France.
521
00:33:08,322 --> 00:33:10,991
And he puts together a crew,
522
00:33:11,058 --> 00:33:15,095
and the boat is loaded
with Gratiot's goods
523
00:33:15,162 --> 00:33:19,733
and starts proceeding
up the Mississippi River.
524
00:33:20,667 --> 00:33:25,739
On April 13, they dock
overnight at the Iowa River.
525
00:33:25,806 --> 00:33:27,774
They do a little trading there,
526
00:33:27,841 --> 00:33:33,380
and while there they meet
two men from Prairie du Chien,
527
00:33:33,447 --> 00:33:37,050
Joseph Calvè
and Jean-Marie Ducharme.
528
00:33:37,117 --> 00:33:39,720
And again,
they are both fur traders.
529
00:33:39,786 --> 00:33:41,622
They know one another.
530
00:33:41,688 --> 00:33:46,593
Joseph asks Jean-Baptiste
Cardinal, "Where are you going?"
531
00:33:46,660 --> 00:33:48,595
And he goes, "Well, I'm going
to Prairie du Chien."
532
00:33:48,662 --> 00:33:50,197
"Well, what are you gonna do
up there?"
533
00:33:50,264 --> 00:33:52,566
"Well, I'm gonna trade
these goods
534
00:33:52,633 --> 00:33:55,035
for furs
that are probably up there."
535
00:33:55,102 --> 00:33:59,006
And Joseph says, "Well, how
about if I go along with you?
536
00:33:59,072 --> 00:34:01,341
Because I'm gonna go up
that way."
537
00:34:01,408 --> 00:34:06,213
And in the meantime, Joseph
tells Jean-Marie Ducharme,
538
00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:08,348
"You get up to Prairie du Chien
right away
539
00:34:08,415 --> 00:34:10,817
"and tell them
what is coming up here,
540
00:34:10,884 --> 00:34:13,921
"because this boat
is loaded with material
541
00:34:13,987 --> 00:34:18,458
that we, as part
of the British forces, can use."
542
00:34:18,926 --> 00:34:24,398
And so, Cardinal and Calvè
continue up to the Turkey River.
543
00:34:27,267 --> 00:34:29,503
When they arrive there,
544
00:34:30,771 --> 00:34:36,343
they are met by Ducharme and
other men from Prairie du Chien.
545
00:34:38,145 --> 00:34:44,051
And so, Cardinal and his men are
captured as British prisoners,
546
00:34:44,852 --> 00:34:47,387
and things that they're carrying
547
00:34:47,454 --> 00:34:51,525
now are part of Great Britain's
war materiel,
548
00:34:51,592 --> 00:34:54,828
and they all go up
to Prairie du Chien.
549
00:34:56,797 --> 00:34:59,233
While all of this is going on,
550
00:34:59,299 --> 00:35:01,468
Lieutenant Governor
Patrick Sinclair
551
00:35:01,535 --> 00:35:04,771
receives his order
from Haldimand
552
00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:09,843
to "reduce the Spanish posts
in the Illinois Country."
553
00:35:09,910 --> 00:35:14,381
So, he decides that he's going
to get two forces together.
554
00:35:14,448 --> 00:35:17,351
They're both gonna leave
from Michilimackinac.
555
00:35:17,417 --> 00:35:20,387
One is going to go down
to Green Bay,
556
00:35:20,454 --> 00:35:24,791
through the Fox-Wisconsin
Waterway to Prairie du Chien
557
00:35:24,858 --> 00:35:28,395
and from Prairie du Chien
down to St. Louis.
558
00:35:28,462 --> 00:35:33,800
And the other one, under
the command of Charles Langlade,
559
00:35:34,468 --> 00:35:38,272
is to go through Lake Michigan
to Chicago
560
00:35:38,805 --> 00:35:43,610
and across the country,
and he is to attack Cahokia.
561
00:35:46,413 --> 00:35:48,482
And so, the plan is set
in motion,
562
00:35:48,549 --> 00:35:51,785
and it begins
in the spring of 1780.
563
00:35:52,753 --> 00:35:57,090
Joseph Roc, who has been
with Charles Langlade
564
00:35:57,991 --> 00:36:01,195
and the Dakota people
for a long time,
565
00:36:01,261 --> 00:36:04,598
is hired as the king's
interpreter.
566
00:36:05,132 --> 00:36:08,535
And Lieutenant Key
is the English interpreter
567
00:36:08,602 --> 00:36:10,237
and commissary.
568
00:36:10,304 --> 00:36:15,008
Wabasha, the Dakota leader,
is well thought of
569
00:36:15,075 --> 00:36:19,613
by both Governor Haldimand and
Lieutenant Governor Sinclair.
570
00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:23,217
Haldimand says he has
"the zeal manifested
571
00:36:23,283 --> 00:36:25,886
that warrants our attention."
572
00:36:25,953 --> 00:36:31,625
And so, Sinclair gives him a
commission as a British general.
573
00:36:33,260 --> 00:36:36,930
He finds him one
"of uncommon abilities
574
00:36:37,431 --> 00:36:42,436
and generously attached
to His Majesty's interest."
575
00:36:43,637 --> 00:36:48,208
So, you have the Dakota
and some Sauk and Meskwaki
576
00:36:48,842 --> 00:36:52,379
who have gathered
at Prairie du Chien
577
00:36:52,446 --> 00:36:55,649
to begin the trek
down the Mississippi River
578
00:36:55,716 --> 00:36:57,851
and attack St. Louis.
579
00:36:59,186 --> 00:37:04,258
Along with him is Emmanuel
Hesse, who is a fur trader,
580
00:37:04,324 --> 00:37:07,961
and some Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk,
Menominee,
581
00:37:08,028 --> 00:37:10,163
and Sauk and Meskwaki.
582
00:37:12,833 --> 00:37:15,068
With Charles Langlade,
583
00:37:15,135 --> 00:37:18,939
you have Sergeant Phillips
of the 8th British Regiment
584
00:37:19,006 --> 00:37:22,009
and Matchekewis and the Ojibwe.
585
00:37:24,278 --> 00:37:27,080
And also with him is Chanawon.
586
00:37:27,881 --> 00:37:30,217
He is a Menominee leader.
587
00:37:31,485 --> 00:37:37,291
And this is his commission from
Governor Frederick Haldimand.
588
00:37:37,357 --> 00:37:40,294
And he is also given
a British medal
589
00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:42,930
and a British silver gorget
590
00:37:43,764 --> 00:37:46,900
with the British coat of arms
on them.
591
00:37:46,967 --> 00:37:52,139
So, there's great respect
for the abilities of the Ojibwe,
592
00:37:52,206 --> 00:37:57,511
the Menominee, and the Dakota
to support Great Britain.
593
00:37:57,578 --> 00:38:02,716
And the Illinois River
expedition leaves in May of 1780
594
00:38:03,483 --> 00:38:08,088
with Charles Langlade,
Charles Gautier, Pierre Durand,
595
00:38:08,155 --> 00:38:12,826
and a variety of Native people
and some Canadians.
596
00:38:13,927 --> 00:38:18,165
In May of 1780,
750 to 1,000 Native Americans,
597
00:38:19,833 --> 00:38:23,637
along with Joseph Roc
and Emmanuel Hesse
598
00:38:24,304 --> 00:38:27,241
and other traders
and their servants,
599
00:38:27,307 --> 00:38:29,643
leave Prairie du Chien.
600
00:38:29,710 --> 00:38:34,081
And they assume that they are
going to very quietly proceed
601
00:38:34,147 --> 00:38:39,019
on both of the treks into the
Illinois Country and St. Louis
602
00:38:39,086 --> 00:38:43,757
and attack and capture both
of those communities.
603
00:38:44,992 --> 00:38:50,130
Well, rumor has made its way
to the Spanish at St. Louis,
604
00:38:51,765 --> 00:38:54,968
and the Spanish
lieutenant governor there
605
00:38:55,035 --> 00:39:00,040
immediately commands
the building of Fort San Carlos
606
00:39:01,008 --> 00:39:02,509
at St. Louis.
607
00:39:02,576 --> 00:39:06,346
It was supposed to originally
have four towers,
608
00:39:06,413 --> 00:39:10,517
like you see here,
but only one was built.
609
00:39:11,652 --> 00:39:14,922
The Spanish have a regular army.
610
00:39:14,988 --> 00:39:17,824
They also have local militia,
611
00:39:17,891 --> 00:39:20,894
and they also have
French militia.
612
00:39:20,961 --> 00:39:24,097
And they are ready to defend
St. Louis.
613
00:39:24,164 --> 00:39:26,099
Not only do they have the fort.
614
00:39:26,166 --> 00:39:30,304
They have outer barriers
of chevaux de frise
615
00:39:31,805 --> 00:39:35,475
to keep anyone coming close
to the fort.
616
00:39:36,944 --> 00:39:41,148
And so, in May, the force from
Prairie du Chien lands canoes
617
00:39:41,215 --> 00:39:45,118
and starts coming overland
toward St. Louis.
618
00:39:45,185 --> 00:39:47,988
Jean-Marie Ducharme
and the Ojibwe
619
00:39:48,055 --> 00:39:51,825
cross the river
to go and attack Cahokia
620
00:39:51,892 --> 00:39:55,329
along with Charles Langlade's
troops.
621
00:39:55,395 --> 00:40:00,467
Some of the Dakota and the
Ho-Chunk attack St. Louis,
622
00:40:00,534 --> 00:40:04,538
but they are unable to take
Fort Don Carlos.
623
00:40:05,205 --> 00:40:08,108
And so, Hesse calls
the troops back,
624
00:40:08,175 --> 00:40:11,178
and they leave and head north.
625
00:40:11,245 --> 00:40:13,881
Langlade's force is stopped
en route,
626
00:40:13,947 --> 00:40:17,050
so it doesn't even make it
beyond Chicago,
627
00:40:17,117 --> 00:40:21,889
and the American force,
led by George Rogers Clark,
628
00:40:21,955 --> 00:40:26,627
repulses Ducharme's attempt
to capture Cahokia.
629
00:40:27,427 --> 00:40:30,564
And so, the whole invasion
fails,
630
00:40:33,267 --> 00:40:38,405
and people return to either
La Baie or Prairie du Chien.
631
00:40:39,773 --> 00:40:42,442
But they get quite concerned
632
00:40:44,178 --> 00:40:48,782
because when George Rogers Clark
came into the Illinois Country,
633
00:40:48,849 --> 00:40:54,421
he demanded everybody show proof
of ownership of their lands.
634
00:40:54,488 --> 00:40:57,324
And the people who live
at La Baie and Prairie du Chien
635
00:40:57,391 --> 00:40:59,092
have no proof of ownership.
636
00:40:59,159 --> 00:41:01,528
They just selected lands,
637
00:41:01,595 --> 00:41:04,231
and they have bought
and sold to one another.
638
00:41:04,298 --> 00:41:07,100
And so, they go up
to Michilimackinac
639
00:41:07,167 --> 00:41:13,173
to Lieutenant Governor Sinclair
and ask for proof of ownership.
640
00:41:14,541 --> 00:41:17,277
And he conducts a treaty
with the Native nations
641
00:41:17,344 --> 00:41:19,980
of the western Great Lakes,
upper Mississippi,
642
00:41:20,047 --> 00:41:24,818
and they sign a treaty
giving Mackinac Island, La Baie,
643
00:41:24,885 --> 00:41:28,689
and Prairie du Chien
to their residents.
644
00:41:29,556 --> 00:41:32,459
So, these are sort of
some of the residents
645
00:41:32,526 --> 00:41:37,130
that are involved
in the American Revolution.
646
00:41:37,197 --> 00:41:42,369
Some of them live in the area:
the Native Americans,
647
00:41:42,436 --> 00:41:47,107
Charles Langlade, Joseph Roc,
Maurice Blondeau.
648
00:41:49,843 --> 00:41:54,381
Other ones, interestingly
enough, lived in St. Louis,
649
00:41:54,448 --> 00:41:59,887
but in time, come to make
their home in Prairie du Chien.
650
00:41:59,953 --> 00:42:02,723
After the war,
there's really no hostilities
651
00:42:02,789 --> 00:42:06,226
between the residents
of Prairie du Chien
652
00:42:06,293 --> 00:42:08,996
and the Illinois Country
and St. Louis.
653
00:42:09,062 --> 00:42:12,699
And so, there's a migration
up to Prairie du Chien,
654
00:42:12,766 --> 00:42:18,438
and a lot of the early settlers
are from the Illinois Country.
655
00:42:19,072 --> 00:42:24,978
So, war ends with the surrender
of American forces at Yorktown.
656
00:42:27,648 --> 00:42:29,716
The British are still
in control, though,
657
00:42:29,783 --> 00:42:32,686
of Mackinac Island and Detroit
658
00:42:34,388 --> 00:42:38,825
and the upper Mississippi/
western Great Lakes.
659
00:42:38,892 --> 00:42:41,195
And the Native Americans
are quite willing
660
00:42:41,261 --> 00:42:44,064
to continue the hostilities.
661
00:42:45,265 --> 00:42:48,302
And Governor Sinclair
at Michilimackinac
662
00:42:48,368 --> 00:42:50,370
realizes they can't.
663
00:42:51,772 --> 00:42:54,942
And so, a large council is held
at Prairie du Chien
664
00:42:55,008 --> 00:43:00,714
with the Native American nations
to explain what has happened,
665
00:43:00,781 --> 00:43:05,352
but the fact that the Native
people are always welcome
666
00:43:05,419 --> 00:43:08,222
to come and visit the British.
667
00:43:09,823 --> 00:43:15,062
So, with the Treaty of Paris,
if you read the articles of it,
668
00:43:15,128 --> 00:43:18,432
it pertains very much
to the concerns of the residents
669
00:43:18,498 --> 00:43:21,668
of the 13 colonies,
the 13 states.
670
00:43:21,735 --> 00:43:24,037
It has to do with government.
671
00:43:24,104 --> 00:43:27,107
It has to do
with the ability to fish
672
00:43:27,174 --> 00:43:30,177
in the Atlantic Ocean
off of Canada,
673
00:43:30,244 --> 00:43:35,182
for trade, for the ability
to move westward if they want.
674
00:43:35,249 --> 00:43:38,151
There is absolutely no mention
675
00:43:38,819 --> 00:43:42,890
of the land west
of the Appalachian Mountains,
676
00:43:42,956 --> 00:43:48,529
which is inhabited by a variety
of Native American nations.
677
00:43:50,130 --> 00:43:52,933
And this inability to address
678
00:43:54,868 --> 00:43:57,538
the majority of the residents
of this area
679
00:43:57,604 --> 00:44:00,941
will be played out
in the War of 1812,
680
00:44:01,942 --> 00:44:07,047
when the residents of La Baie,
Prairie du Chien, Mackinac,
681
00:44:07,114 --> 00:44:13,120
and all of the Native nations of
this area support Great Britain.
682
00:44:14,855 --> 00:44:16,957
Thank you all very much.
683
00:44:18,992 --> 00:44:20,961
[audience applauds]