MOST FORGOTTEN HERO IN U.S. HISTORY, GEORGE ROGERS CLARK!

Family Tree Nuts, History & Genealogy Service
Family Tree Nuts, History & Genealogy Service
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Published 2022-05-18
He has been called, the “Washington of the West”, the “Conquer of the Old Northwest”, and the “Founder of Louisville”, General George Rogers Clark. Clark, often referred to as “GRC”, is today buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, in Louisville, Kentucky, but his life that lead here to his final resting spot was nothing short of amazing. George Rogers Clark was born in 1752, near Charlottesville, Virginia. He was taught to survey land by his grandfather, and in 1771, he took his first surveying trip into Kentucky, four years before settlement, in 1774. He served as a Captain in the Virginia militia, in Lord Dunmore’s War. In June of 1776, he was sent as a delegate to the Virginia Legislature, to request them to make Kentucky a County, of Virginia. The next year was the “Year of Three Sevens”, or also known as, the “Bloody Sevens”, when there were numerous attacks on the Kentucky frontier, by Native Americans, that were backed by the British. The Colonial army could not spare men, or supplies to Kentucky, so Clark visited Governor Patrick Henry, to request that he allow him to lead a secret mission against the British outposts, north of the Ohio River. In 1778, GRC established an outpost on Corn Island, at the Falls of the Ohio. This settlement eventually became the city of Louisville, and in 1778, Clark led 175 men into British territory and captured three British forts, and several Native American villages. The British Lieutenant Governor William “the Hair Buyer” Harrison recaptured Vincennes, in modern day Indiana, but Clark led a surprise winter attack and retook the fort, and captured Hamilton in the process. Soon, the British and the Native Americans led more attacks on Kentucky, which prompted Clark and his men to lead counter attacks, invading, and defeating the Shawnee, near modern day Springfield, Ohio. Governor Patrick Henry then promoted Clark to Brigadier General, in command of all the troops in Kentucky, and the Illinois Territory. Washington assigned Clark to attack for Detroit, but plans fell out for the invasion when troops sent by Washington were defeated before arriving, in 1782. The British and Native Americans again attacked Kentucky at Bryan Station, and eventually defeated the Kentucky militia at the Battle of Blue Licks. Clark responded once again, by leading another retaliatory expedition into Ohio, that destroyed many villages along the Miami River. This was the last major expedition of the Revolutionary War. Treaties were made with the Native Americans north of the Ohio River, but raids into Kentucky continued. In 1786, Clark yet again led 1,200 men against Native American villages along the Wabash River. At this time, Clark moved to Indiana near modern day, Clarksville, and that's when his financial issues started. He had borrowed money to finance his military campaigns, and he even paid the army out of his own pocket, but poor record keeping caused Virginia, and the U.S. government to not reimburse him. In 1803, he moved to his retirement home on the Ohio River across from Louisville. While living there, his brother William Clark of the famous, Lewis and Clark Expedition, recruited the first members of the Corps of Discovery, which were known as the “Nine Young Men from Kentucky”. It was form GRC’s home place, that the Lewis and Clark expedition stepped off. In 1809, Clark suffered a stroke and fell into the fireplace. One of his legs was burned so badly, that it had to be amputated. He was sent to live with his sister and brother-in-law Major William Crogan, at Locust Grove farm, in Louisville. In 1812, Virginia awarded him a $400 a year pension, which is about $1,500 today. They also awarded him a ceremonial sword for his service. These rewards were not even close to reimbursing General Clark for all his sacrifices and to his country. In 1818, General George Rogers Clark suffered a second stroke and passed away. He was buried at Locust Grove, but he was moved to Cave Hill Cemetery, in 1869, and he is buried next to family. One import family member buried at the same location is, General Jonathan Clark, the second in command under General Lincoln, at the Revolutionary War battles of Brandywine, Monmouth, and others. General Jonathan Clark was once captured and eventually released. GRC is also buried next to one of his other brothers, Captain Edward Clark, and other family members. His youngest brother William Clark, from the Lewis and Clark expedition is buried in St. Louis. He has a magnificent monument at Vincennes, which was the site of Fort Sackville, one of Clark's biggest conquests. George Rogers Clark is a name that many people today have never heard of, but his impact on early America cannot be denied.

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All Comments (21)
  • @kentuckydeb55
    So amazing to see others refer to General Clark as the forgotten hero in history. I have read much about George and his story is completely amazing. We visited his memorial at Vincennes and toured Locust Grove in Louisville. I am in awe of all he accomplished. Thank you for honoring this wonderful hero. I am so thrilled to have found this group.
  • @eb4600
    It’s tragic that George Rogers Clark hasn’t been acknowledged for all of the heroic sacrifices he made and those affects on our country. He definitely made some mistakes, but can you imagine being a person in charge of 2/3s of the American Military without the benefit of today’s technology? It’s heart wrenching that so many of our country’s extraordinary heroes spent their golden years poor and forgotten.
  • @JohnJohnson-zz8re
    Second time viewing this great work on a great American that so few really know about. I share your enthusiasm on GRC life's work! Thank you!
  • @defendfreedom777
    Wow so many unsung heroes that I never heard of,this life surely throws all of us some real curve balls.
  • @noahcartermusic2546
    The Revolution was in some ways (but not all) an extension of the French and Indian war, of which this man was an important player. One thing I’ve learned from y’alls videos is that everything is so interconnected, especially in the colonial era. Men like Clark opened up Kentucky and the area for my family to settle and also affected the chain of events that led to the Revolution, directly or remotely.
  • @GideonStahl
    Years ago I was able to read his journal. It was fascinating and awesome to read. My interest with George Rogers Clark started with the History Channel series, "Legends of the Old Northwest ", perhaps my favorite series from the History Channel. Thank you for shedding light on this unsung hero.
  • @clf8668
    I love all your videos they all are my family relatives..who wouldn’t brave men and women 👩‍🌾
  • @YourHistoryGirl
    Thank you for this video on George Rogers Clark! It's a shame that his name is rarely (or never) mentioned when people talk about the American Revolutionary War. This year marks the 245th anniversary of Clark's siege of Fort Sackville. For everyone watching: the George Rogers Clark National Memorial Park (shown here in the video) will be holding a ceremony on February 23rd to commemorate this event in American history.
  • @brucelanzerotti
    I reenact the Clark's Militia since 1976, he gained more territory for this country than any other military leader during the Rev War
  • @marywright6759
    So surprised to see this as I am reading for the second time From Sea to Shining Sea by Alan Eckert. First half is about George and his family and second half about his brother and his journey west. It's a shame how our country has treated him. I read where some of his statues have been removed.
  • @judypierce7028
    This was just an awesome video Col. Martin! Clark is one of my favorite people to study. Locust Grove is such a great place to visit and was one place that Clark loved. Clark was a highly intelligent and creative man. I just wish that people living today would appreciate him more. I pray that all of his statutes that were removed will be replaced in their original location. He was a true Patriot!!
  • @coolcat5714
    He was a major badass ,special forces of that time …the British and the Indians had a syndicate that was terrorizing the whole area . He burned it down
  • @Brigid.em.Galloway86
    My 5th Great Grandfather, Col. Patrick Brown was with General Clark on that Miami river expedition.
  • @daviddean952
    Thank you for keeping his memor alive. Our choldren need real heros like him.
  • @colsc55
    My 1st cousin 6 x removed. I was just at cave hill last week.
  • @christopherherndon4891
    I recommend that you expand on this story and bring in some of GR Clark’s subordinates including Captain Leonard Helm and Lt Todd. Lt Todd was the officer who brought British Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton to Virginia Government Patrick Henry. Todd was an ancestor of Mary Todd Lincoln.
  • @chrismaurer2075
    Another excellent history lesson with your excellent research in the background. Thank You !