72 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Proceed down the noi-tli shore of Lake Huron to the entrance of the Straits of St, 

 Mary's — Character of the shores, and incidents — Ascend the river to Sault Ste. 

 Marie — Hostilities encountered there — Intrepidity of General Cass. 



Having spent six days on the island, rambling about it, and 

 making ourselves as well acquainted with its features and inhabit- 

 ants as possible, we felt quite recruited and cheered up, after the 

 tedious delays along the southern shores of Lake Huron. And 

 we all felt the better prepared for plunging deeper into the 

 northwestern forest. Before venturing into the stronghold of 

 the Chippewas, whose territories extend around Lake Superior, 

 it was deemed prudent to take along an additional military force 

 as far as Sault de Ste. Marie. But five or six years had then 

 passed since this large tribe had been arrayed in hostilities 

 against the United States (in the war of 1814), and they were yet 

 smarting under the wounds and losses which they had received 

 at Brownstown and the Eiver Thames, where they had lost some 

 prominent men. Generals Brown and Macomb,* when making 

 a reconnoissance, with their respective staffs, a couple of years 

 before, had been fired on in visiting Gros Cape, at the foot of 

 Lake Superior, and although no one was killed on that occasion, 

 the circumstance was sufficient to indicate their feeling. 



This additional force was placed under the command of Lieu- 



* The following are the official data of this distinguished officer: — 

 Alexander Macomb, Jr., born April 3, 1782, Detroit, N. Y. ; Cornet Cavalry, 

 January 10, 1799; Second Lieutenant, February, 1801; retained, April, 1802, in 

 Second Infantry; First Lieutenant of Engineers, October, 1802; Captain, June, 

 1805 : Major of Engineers, February 23, 1808 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, July 23, 1810 ; 

 Acting Adjutant-General of the Army, April 28, 1812; Colonel Third Artillery, 

 July G, 1812; Brigadier-General, January 24, 1814; Brevet Major-General, "for 

 distinguished and gallant conduct in defeating the enemy at Plattsburg, September 

 11, 1814" (October 1, 1814); received the "thanks of Congress" of November 3, 



