All that Clark had done bade fair to be undone, with worse to follow. To a weaker man it might have looked like a lost cause, but Clark's resolution and prompt action in the matter is one of the proofs of his essential greatness as a military leader. His chances of reinforcement form Virginia were slight as against the chance of Hamilton's army being augmented by Indians to an overwhelming force, and to forestall Hamilton and surprise him in his stronghold as quickly as possible was the coup that presented itself as the most hopeful step toward retaining the country. He regarded it as a desperate cause, but, as eh wrote to Governor Henry, "who knows what fortune will do for us?" The hardships of a march at this season, which put it out of the question with Hamilton did not daunt Clark and his hardy backwoodsmen.