On 12 November 1778, Vincennes resident François Bosseron recorded the following items under the heading ""1778 fournie au Cap Helm pour les Compagnie des États"":[1] This flag was designed by Captain Leonard Helm, who held Fort Sackville until forced to surrender to Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton.

It is worth noting, however, that whereas Colonel Clark had offered a red and white belts to American Indians in Cahokia to represent war or peace, Captain Helm presented the Wabash Indians with a red or green belts.

[7] On December 27 at Vincennes, a Piankeshaw chief presented Lt-Gov Hamilton with red and green wampum, which was said to represent the Wabash River.

When Clark arrived in Vincennes on 23 February 1779, he used many banners to give the impression of a large army.

[11] Clark's Captain Bowman notes in his journal that an "American flag" was raised over Ft Sackville on 25 February 1779, but does not describe it.