e
Illinois, every person that set about the business had a set of colors
given him, which they brought with them to the amount of ten or twelve
pairs. These were displayed to the best advantage; and, as the low
plain we marched through was not a perfect level, but had frequent
risings in it seven or eight feet higher than the common level (which
was covered with water), and as these risings generally run in an
oblique direction to the town, we took the advantage of one of them,
marching through the water under it, which completely prevented our
being numbered. But our colors showed considerably above the heights, as
they were fixed on long poles procured for the purpose, and at a
distance made no despicable appearance; and, as our young Frenchmen had,
while we lay on the Warrior's Island, decoyed and taken several fowlers
with their horses, officers were mounted on these horses, and rode
about, more completely to deceive the enemy.

In this manner we moved, and directed our march in such a way as to
suffer it to be dark before we had advanced more than half-way to the
town. We then suddenly altered our direction, and crossed ponds where
they could not have suspected us, and about eight o'clock gained the
heights back of the town. As there was yet no hostile appearance, we
were impatient to have the cause unriddled. Lieutenant Bayley was
ordered, with fourteen men, to march and fire on the fort. The main body
moved in a different direction, and took possession of the strongest
part of the town.

The firing now commenced on the fort, but they did not believe it was an
enemy until one of their men was shot down through a port, as drunken
Indians frequently saluted the fort after night. The drums now sounded,
and the business fairly commenced on both sides. Re-enforcements were
sent to the attack of the garrison, while other arrangements were
making in town.

We now found that the garrison had known nothing of us; that, having
finished the fort that evening, they had amused themselves at different
games, and had just retired before my letter arrived, as it was near
roll-call. The placard being made public, many of the inhabitants were
afraid to show themselves out of the houses for fear of giving offence,
and not one dare give information. Our friends flew to the commons and
other convenient places to view the pleasing sight. This was observed
from the garrison, and the reason asked, but a satisfactory excuse was
given;