Jefferson MSS., 1st Series, Vol.19.

Clark's letter.] It was in the Chickasaw territory, and these warlike Indians soon assaulted it, making a determined effort to take it by storm, and though they were repulsed with very heavy slaughter, yet, to purchase their neutrality, the Americans were glad to abandon the fort.
Clark Moves to the Falls of Ohio.
Clark himself, towards the end of 1779, took up his abode at the Falls of the Ohio, where he served in some sort as a shield both for the Illinois and for Kentucky, and from whence he hoped some day to march against Detroit.

This was his darling scheme, which he never ceased to cherish.

Through no fault of his own, the day never came when he could put it in execution.
He was ultimately made a brigadier-general of the Virginian militia, and to the harassed settlers in Kentucky his mere name was a tower of strength.

He was the sole originator of the plan for the conquest of the northwestern lands, and, almost unaided, he had executed his own scheme.
For a year he had been wholly cut off from all communication with the home authorities, and had received no help of any kind.