[Footnote: Letter to Henry.] In a few days Helm returned successful, and the spoils, together with the goods taken at Vincennes, were distributed among the soldiers, who "got almost rich." [Footnote: "Memoir."] The officers kept nothing save a few needed articles of clothing.

The gun-boat _Willing_ appeared shortly after the taking of the fort, the crew bitterly disappointed that they were not in time for the fighting.

The long-looked-for messenger from the governor of Virginia also arrived, bearing to the soldiers the warm thanks of the Legislature of that State for their capture of Kaskaskia and the promise of more substantial reward.

[Footnote: One hundred and fifty thousand acres of land opposite Louisville were finally allotted them.

Some of the Piankeshaw Indians ceded Clark a tract of land for his own use, but the Virginia Legislature very properly disallowed the grant.] Disposal of the Prisoners.
Clark was forced to parole most of his prisoners, but twenty-seven, including Hamilton himself, were sent to Virginia.