These operations, which may be regarded as constituting the first chapter of Clark's campaign, put him in possession of the Illinois country; but Vincennes and Wabash country were of equal importance. From the French priest, Father Gibault, he learned that the British commandant there, Governor Abbott, had gone with his force on some business to Detroit, and this informant, who was won over completely to the American cause, suggested that with his influence Vincennes might be secured without even the trouble of an expedition against it, his proposition being that he go thither as an emissary. The plan pleased Clark, and ten days after the taking of Kaskaskia, Gibault, a Doctor Lafont and their retinue departed for the Wabash post. Arriving there, a day or two spent in explaining matters sufficed, and the inhabitants repaired in a body to the church, there to take the oath of allegiance and assume the status of American Citizens. To further win their confidence, an officer was elected from their own number, and the fort was garrisoned with the citizen soldiery, under the American flag. The report of this success to Clark he speaks of in his "Memoir" as "joyful news," for he adds, "without the possession of this post all our views would have been blasted." Subsequently, he sent one of his officers, Captain Leonard Helm, to take command of the fort, and Captain Bowman was put in charge at Cahokia.