After the raid, Captain Thomas E. Craig of Shawneetown and a company of troops boarded boats that were anchored just offshore of the French village. Sometime during the evening, shots were fired at their vessels. The troops stormed ashore to loot and burn the village. Craig then arrested the inhabitants; forced 41 men, women and children to board the two vessels; and brought them to Savage's Ferry, near present day Alton.
After the prisoners had been held for four days, Governor Edwards ordered their release. Captain Craig later reported to Edwards, "I burnt down about half the town. The damned rascals may think themselves well off that they were not scalped."
This episode marked the end of the French settlement at Peoria.
--Brock-Perry
No comments:
Post a Comment