Oncle Jazon knew every man
whose outlines he could see or whose voice he heard. He called
each one by name:
"Here, Roger, fall in!--Come Louis, Alphonse, Victor, Octave--
venez ici, here's the American army, come with me!" His rapid
French phrases leaped forth as if shot from a pistol, and his
shrill voice, familiar to every ear in Vincennes, drew the creole
militiamen to him, and soon Beverley's company had doubled its
numbers, while at the same time its enthusiasm and ability to make
a noise had increased in a far greater proportion. In accordance
with an order from Clark they now took position near the northeast
corner of the stockade and began firing, although in the darkness
there was but little opportunity for marksmanship.
Oncle Jazon had found citizens Legrace and Bosseron, and through
them Clark's men were supplied with ammunition, of which they
stood greatly in need, their powder having got wet during their
long, watery march. By nine o'clock the fort was completely
surrounded, and from every direction the riflemen and musketeers
were pouring in volley after volley. Beverley with his men took
the cover of a fence and some houses sixty yards from the
stockade. Here to their surprise they found themselves below the
line of Hamilton's cannon, which, being planted on the second
floor of the fort, could not be sufficiently depressed to bear
upon them.
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