History is for Everyone

IL, USA

Mississippi River Crossing — Clark's Route

Trail

The strategic geography that made Kaskaskia significant: the confluence of the Kaskaskia River with the Mississippi, where Clark's men crossed on the night of July 4–5, 1778. Clark's force had marched overland from the Falls of the Ohio, then used boats to descend the Ohio and cross the Mississippi near Fort Massac before marching overland to Kaskaskia. The approach route — crossing hostile, largely unmapped territory in summer heat — was a feat of frontier endurance. Historical markers along the Mississippi River bottom trace portions of the approach.

Visiting Today

Address

Near Kaskaskia Island, Randolph County, IL

Connected Events

Jan 1703
French Missionaries Establish Kaskaskia

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark

Oct 1765
Britain Takes Control of the Illinois Country

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark

Jan 1778
Clark Secures Virginia Commission for Illinois Campaign

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark

Jun 1778
Clark's Overland March Through the Illinois Wilderness

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark

Jul 1778
Clark Captures Kaskaskia Without Firing a Shot

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark, Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave

Jul 1778
Clark Wins the French Creole Population

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark, Father Pierre Gibault

Aug 1778
Vincennes Peacefully Transfers to American Allegiance

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark, Father Pierre Gibault, Captain Leonard Helm

Dec 1778
Hamilton Recaptures Vincennes in Midwinter

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark, Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton, François Vigo, Captain Leonard Helm

Feb 1779
Clark's Winter March Retakes Vincennes

Brigadier General George Rogers Clark, Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton

Mar 1784