It was not until the eve of the day set for departure that Clark divulged to his men his real object. He says:

"After my making known my instructions almost every gentleman espoused the enterprise and plainly saw the utility of it, and supposed they saw the salvation of Kentucky almost in their reach; but some repined that we were not strong enough to put it beyond all doubt. The soldiery in general debated on the subject, but determined to follow their officers. Some were alarmed at the thought of being taken at so great a distance into the enemy's country, that if they should have success in the first instance they might be attacked in their posts without a possibility of getting succor or making their retreat. … Some dissatisfaction was discovered in Captain Dillard's Company, consequently the boats were well secured and sentinels placed where it [was] thought there was a possibility of their wading from the island. My design was to take those from the island down on our way who would not attempt to desert, but got outgeneraled by their lieutenant, whom I had previously conceived a very tolerable opinion of. They had, by swimming in the day, discovered that the channel opposite their camp might be waded, and a little before day himself and the greater part of the company slipped down the bank and got to the opposite shore before they were discovered by the sentinels. Vexed at the idea of their escape in the manner they did, as one of my principal motives for taking post on the island was to prevent desertion, and intending to set out the next day I was undetermined for [a] few minutes what to do, as it might take a party several days to overtake [them], and, having no distrust of those who remained, the example was not immediately dangerous, but might prove to hereafter; and recollecting that there was a strong party to pursue them, and for the foot and horse to relieve each other regularly, and so put to death every man in their power who would not surrender. They overhauled them in about twenty miles. The deserters, discovering them at a distance, scattered in the woods; only seven or eight were taken. The rest made their way to the different posts, however, many who were not woodsmen almost perished. The poor lieutenant and the few who remained with him, after suffering almost all that could be felt from hunger and fatigue, arrived at Harrodstown. Having heard of his conduct [they] would not, for some time, suffer him to come into their houses nor give him anything to eat. On the return of the party of soldiers burnt and hung his effigy."