Men were slipping from house to house, arming themselves and joining their neighbors.

Clark had sent an order earlier in the evening forbidding any street demonstration by the inhabitants; but he might as well have ordered the wind not to blow or the river to stand still.

Oncle Jazon knew every man whose outlines he could see or whose voice he heard.

He called each one by name: "Here, Roger, fall in!--Come Louis, Alphonse, Victor, Octave--venez ici, here's the American army, come with me!" His rapid French phrases leaped forth as if shot from a pistol, and his shrill voice, familiar to every ear in Vincennes, drew the creole militiamen to him, and soon Beverley's company had doubled its numbers, while at the same time its enthusiasm and ability to make a noise had increased in a far greater proportion.

In accordance with an order from Clark they now took position near the northeast corner of the stockade and began firing, although in the darkness there was but little opportunity for marksmanship.
Oncle Jazon had found citizens Legrace and Bosseron, and through them Clark's men were supplied with ammunition, of which they stood greatly in need, their powder having got wet during their long, watery march.
By nine o'clock the fort was completely surrounded, and from every direction the riflemen and musketeers were pouring in volley after volley.