George Rogers Clark Flag
Encyclopedia
The George Rogers Clark Flag is a red and green striped banner in the model of American Flags commonly associated with George Rogers Clark
, although Colonel Clark did not campaign under these colors. The “Clark” flag was made in Vincennes, Indiana
, and likely flew over Fort Sackville even before Clark arrived.
On 12 November 1778, Vincennes resident François Bosseron
recorded the following items under the heading "1778 fournie au Capne Helm pour les Compagne des Etats":
This flag was designed by Captain Leonard Helm
, who held Fort Sackville until forced to surrender to Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton. Although historians are not sure exactly what it looked like, most US flags were based on the “stripes of rebellion.” Helm’s design was clear enough that Hamilton recognized two on his approach to Vincennes, one on a boat and one on the fort. One of these may have been Bosseron's flag, although Father Pierre Gibault
may have brought a flag with him. Captain Helm had earlier brought an American flag to Ouiatenon, so it seems likely he would have also brought one to Vincennes. When Hamilton took the fort, he allowed Helm to take down "the continental flag" before raising the British flag.
The choice of a red and green flag instead of red and white flag remains a mystery. It is possible that there simply was not enough white serge available in Vincennes at the time. It is worth noting, however, that whereas Colonel Clark had offered a red (war) or white (peace) belt to Indians in Cahokia
, Captain Helm presented the Wabash Indians with a red or green belt. On December 27 at Vincennes, a Piankeshaw chief presented Lt-Gov Hamilton with red and green wampum
, which was said to represent the Wabash River. The stripes, themselves, were a defining feature of American flags even before the Revolution, and many military banners used by Americans featured stripes of differing colors. Records describe flags similar or identical to this in the 13 colonies. It is possible that Busseron ordered the banner for his own militia unit in Vincennes, when they declared for the Americans.
Which flag Clark’s men actually rallied around is not known. In his memoir, he says he had 10 or 12 sets of colors when they took Vincennes. Some theorize that he probably marched under the flag of Virginia, his home state, but Lt-Gov Henry Hamilton refers to several "American" flags in his journal entries as he leads his expedition down the Wabash River
, including a "rebel flag" he received at Ouiatenon
on 4 December. When Clark arrived in Vincennes on 23 February 1779, he used many banners to give the impression of a large army. Clark's Captain Bowman notes in his journal that an "American flag" was raised over Ft Sackville on 25 February 1778, but does not describe it.
Of all the flags which may have been used during Clark's Illinois campaign, the 13-striped, red and green banner is the only banner historically documented, and was one of the first “American Flags” flown in the modern State of Indiana
. The pattern has been flown by Indiana National Guard
units deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though Clark, himself, probably never used it, the flag bears his name and is sold by flag retailers as a "George Rogers Clark flag." It is often flown at events in Indiana and Illinois to represent Clark's historic ties with those states. A red and green flag is still flown at the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park
, and at the Locust Grove
plantation near Louisville, Kentucky
, where George Rogers Clark died.
George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky militia throughout much of the war...
, although Colonel Clark did not campaign under these colors. The “Clark” flag was made in Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
, and likely flew over Fort Sackville even before Clark arrived.
On 12 November 1778, Vincennes resident François Bosseron
François Riday Busseron
François Riday Busseron was a French fur trader, general store operator, and militia captain in the American village of Vincennes. He supported the Americans during the American Revolution and funded the first American flag made in Indiana. As a U.S...
recorded the following items under the heading "1778 fournie au Capne Helm pour les Compagne des Etats":
This flag was designed by Captain Leonard Helm
Leonard Helm
Leonard Helm was an early pioneer of Kentucky, and a Virginia officer during the American Revolutionary War. Born around 1720 probably in Fauquier County, Virginia, he died in poverty while fighting Native American allies of British troops during one of the last engagements of the Revolutionary...
, who held Fort Sackville until forced to surrender to Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton. Although historians are not sure exactly what it looked like, most US flags were based on the “stripes of rebellion.” Helm’s design was clear enough that Hamilton recognized two on his approach to Vincennes, one on a boat and one on the fort. One of these may have been Bosseron's flag, although Father Pierre Gibault
Pierre Gibault
Father Pierre Gibault was a Jesuit missionary and priest in the Northwest Territory in the 18th century, and an American Patriot during the American Revolution....
may have brought a flag with him. Captain Helm had earlier brought an American flag to Ouiatenon, so it seems likely he would have also brought one to Vincennes. When Hamilton took the fort, he allowed Helm to take down "the continental flag" before raising the British flag.
Cahokia
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is the area of an ancient indigenous city located in the American Bottom floodplain, between East Saint Louis and Collinsville in south-western Illinois, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. The site included 120 human-built earthwork mounds...
, Captain Helm presented the Wabash Indians with a red or green belt. On December 27 at Vincennes, a Piankeshaw chief presented Lt-Gov Hamilton with red and green wampum
Wampum
Wampum are traditional, sacred shell beads of the Eastern Woodlands tribes of the indigenous people of North America. Wampum include the white shell beads fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell; and the white and purple beads made from the quahog, or Western North Atlantic...
, which was said to represent the Wabash River. The stripes, themselves, were a defining feature of American flags even before the Revolution, and many military banners used by Americans featured stripes of differing colors. Records describe flags similar or identical to this in the 13 colonies. It is possible that Busseron ordered the banner for his own militia unit in Vincennes, when they declared for the Americans.
Which flag Clark’s men actually rallied around is not known. In his memoir, he says he had 10 or 12 sets of colors when they took Vincennes. Some theorize that he probably marched under the flag of Virginia, his home state, but Lt-Gov Henry Hamilton refers to several "American" flags in his journal entries as he leads his expedition down the Wabash River
Wabash River
The Wabash River is a river in the Midwestern United States that flows southwest from northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery across northern Indiana to southern Illinois, where it forms the Illinois-Indiana border before draining into the Ohio River, of which it is the largest northern tributary...
, including a "rebel flag" he received at Ouiatenon
Ouiatenon
Ouiatenon is a name that refers to a dwelling place of members of the Wea tribe of Native Americans. The name Ouiatenon, also variously given as Ouiatanon, Oujatanon, Ouiatano or other similar forms, is a French rendering of a term from the Wea dialect of the Miami-Illinois language which means...
on 4 December. When Clark arrived in Vincennes on 23 February 1779, he used many banners to give the impression of a large army. Clark's Captain Bowman notes in his journal that an "American flag" was raised over Ft Sackville on 25 February 1778, but does not describe it.
Of all the flags which may have been used during Clark's Illinois campaign, the 13-striped, red and green banner is the only banner historically documented, and was one of the first “American Flags” flown in the modern State of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The pattern has been flown by Indiana National Guard
Indiana National Guard
The Indiana National Guard is the armed force of the state of Indiana. It consists of the Indiana Army National Guard and the Indiana Air National Guard, and is part of the larger Army National Guard and the Air National Guard...
units deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though Clark, himself, probably never used it, the flag bears his name and is sold by flag retailers as a "George Rogers Clark flag." It is often flown at events in Indiana and Illinois to represent Clark's historic ties with those states. A red and green flag is still flown at the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, located in Vincennes on the banks of the Wabash River at what is believed to be the site of Fort Sackville, is a United States National Historical Park. A classical memorial here was authorized under President Calvin Coolidge and dedicated by President...
, and at the Locust Grove
Historic Locust Grove
Historic Locust Grove is a 55-acre 18th century farm site and National Historic Landmark situated in eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky . The site is presently owned by the Louisville Metro government, and operated as a historic interpretive site by Historic Locust Grove, Inc.The main feature on...
plantation near Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, where George Rogers Clark died.
Sources
- Barnhart, John D. and Riker, Dorothy L. Indiana to 1816. The Colonial Period. ©1971, Indiana Historical Society. ISBN 0-87195-109-6
- Mastai, Boleslaw and Marie-Louise D'Otrange 'The Stars and the Stripes. The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the Republic to the Present' ©1973. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. ISBN 0-394-47217-9
- Shaw, Janet P. (editor) Account Book of Francis Bosseron Edited by Janet P. Shaw 1929. In the original French and in translation.
- Somes, Joseph Henry VandeBurgh. Old Vincennes Graphic Books, New York. 1962. LCCN 62-18417.
External links
- National Park Service: George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
- Online transcripts of journals by Lt-Gov Henry Hamilton and Capt Bowman, and George Rogers Clark's memoir.