On the night of July 4th 1778; George Rogers Clark and his men sprung a surprise attack on the village of Kashaskia; “and within a very short time we were in complete possession of the place; with every avenue guarded to prevent any one from escaping and giving the alarm to the other villages.†Thus began Clark’s conquest of Illinois. For the next year and a half; Clark and his troops swept through the state taking hold of the old French posts; that were now occupied by British garrisons; including Cahokia and Vincennes. Fighting against the experienced Anglo-Irish soldier Governor Henry Hamilton; the young Clark was pushed to his limits and explains in detail how he was able to outmanoeuvre his opponent. The Conquest of the Illinois by George Rogers Clark is a fascinating first person account of one of the most important campaigns of the American Revolution. The book explains the full planning of Clark’s expedition and its aftermath. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the American Revolution and those who fought in it. George Rogers Clark was a surveyor; soldier; and militia officer from Virginia who became the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. Because the British ceded the entire Northwest Territory to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris; Clark has often been hailed as the "Conqueror of the Old Northwest". This edition of his memoir was edited by Milo Milton Quaife and published in 1920.
#4966897 in Books 2015-06-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .85 x 6.00l; 1.11 #File Name: 1514637537340 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Samuel was comfortable in EnglandBy Beth GrebSamuel Fraunces was not only a tavern owner who introduced international cuisine in the colonies; but he was so respected that George Washington hired him as the first Steward to the President of the United States. He set the tone and manners for the White House; although a man of color; when President Washington still owned slaves. Samuel was comfortable in England; the West Indies and the colonies; and he was innovative; creating a catering business and displayed his own extensive collection of wax figures rivaling anything in Europe at the time.Through meticulous documentation; the relations between blacks and whites in the West Indies; Europe and America; the author reveals the complicated and varying aspects of race in the 18th century.The styles of dress and eating habits in the colonies are fascinating in themselves. And the individuals we read about in history books are brought to life through correspondence that describes the inevitability of the American Revolution and the Civil War that were to come.This is a great adjunct to historical texts that tend to give dates and names without enough explanation of the motives and characters of the individuals involved.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Sam the manBy Constance ColeAs an author cited in this book only available electronically with no CONTACT OR BIO of author I found it interesting and majorly disappointing.The info was not new and more to the point none of the new info was included if the author could not access on line.I would love to have had input but was never contacted.There are numerous descendants available to interview and none were contacted. So we now have another opinion on Samuel Fraunces my my my.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. " -- This book is the perfect companion to Brian Kilmeade's book George Washington's SecretBy Margaret"You have invariably through the most trying times maintained a constant friendship an attention to the cause of our country and its independence and freedom." -- George Washington to Samuel FrauncesThis book is the perfect companion to Brian Kilmeade's book George Washington's Secret Six; the Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution. The book contains one of the best timelines I have ever read for the events taking place before and during this crucial stage in American history. It gives a wealth of historical background; specific dates and interesting details of the lives of key players in the war with England and introduces yet another little known citizen who risked his life and fortune to help the cause of Independence.The book paints a picture of a rare character; Samuel Fraunces; a combination of P.T. Barnum; Gordon Ramsay; and a little James Bond thrown in for good measure.There has been some debate as to whether Samuel Fraunces was white or black man; the book seems to make a clear case for Fraunces being a man of of mixed race and backs this with extensive research.Interestingly; this man; who was a Patriot; a spy and a friend to George Washington; was buried in an unmarked grave until 2010.This book is a good read and reference for anyone wanting to dig deeper into the time period of the American Revolution and the ordinary people who became unsung heroes.
