Historic Diaries: James Doty, 1820
June 14, 1820: To Sault St. Marie
Editor's Note:
George Croghan (1791-1849) joined the Army in 1810 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during the War of 1812. He led the forces that were defeated while trying to capture Mackinac during the war.
"Mrs. Armintiinger" was the wife of Wisconsin fur trader Charles Oakes Ermatinger, who maintained a post at Sault St. Marie. Their descendants became well-known traders and pioneers in the Chippewa Valley and are described by local historian William Bartlett here.
Location: Sault St. Marie, Mich.
View Doty's handwritten manuscript of this page
View page in the 1895 printed edition
At 5 we rose & embarked. We kept to the American shore, steering about N. 30 W. This river is so full of Islands that it is almost impossible to say when you are in sight of the main land. One on which we stopt to allow the men an opportunity of breakfasting is 3 m long & 1 wide.
We passed St. Josephs where there was a village destroyed by Col. Croghan during the war. On the British shore some highland is seen. The channel we took had two rapids — the first altho' short is about 5 feet and very dangerous; the bottom being large limestone rocks. Three of the canoes were damaged in ascending them. The second one 2 miles below the Sault, is less dangerous but much swifter water. The fall is about 4 feet. For 10 minutes our canoe, with all of the men at the oars and paddles, did not stir 3 feet either way. There is some good land on the river. We arrived at the Sault at sun set, and encamped opposite to Mrs. Armintingers house.
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