By the time of the Revolutionary War, Fort
Michilimackinac had stood along the shores of the Mackinac
Straits for many years, as a symbol of British authority and
control in the area. The Revolutionary War would bring a new era
to the coast line, as Great Britain saw her holdings and her
influence dwindle in the new world. Still the demand for the now
elusive beaver ran strong and Europe was not willing to forgo the
fur trade. Recognizing the inability to defend a wooden fort
against cannon fire, Vice-Governor Patrick Sinclare, commander of
British interest in the area, decided to move the fort to
Mackinac Island, several miles off shore in the middle of the
Mackinac Straits. Here, high on a bluff overlooking lower
Michigan a fort with walls of limestone was constructed. The
old fort was dismantled and many of the buildings moved to the
island. As per tradition, spirited by need, the fur trade
followed the fort, also moving to the island and the people
followed. Within a short period of time the island population
blossomed and a community was born. For 15 years, the British
held the fort which was actually within territories belonging to
the United States. Finally the fort was surrendered by treaty in
1796, but by 1812, the British were back capturing the fort
during that war, only to again relinquish it to the Americans
three years later. American troops continued to be stationed there until its closure in 1895 when the fort and lands around it became
Michigan's first state park.
As we got off the ferry and began our wanderings through the town
until we found ourselves gazing up a long ramp to the fort walls
500 feet above. The ramp looks formidable but we took our time,
stopping several times to gaze out over the lilac bushes that
dotted the park below. The view from the top of the fort is
spectacular. Life for the soldiers stationed here was not bad In
the soldiers' barracks building we learned that Companies
"E" and "K", 23rd Regiment of Infantry
arrived at Fort Mackinac in the summer of 1884. For the next six
years, longer then any other troops, they garrisoned the post and
cared for Mackinac National Park. Soldiers spent most of their
time drilling on the parade ground, working on fatigue duty and
enjoying the resort atmosphere of Victorian Mackinac Island.
Today the restored fort looks very much like it did in the
1880's. The fort is now without its point of history. The first
land battle of the War of 1812 took place on Mackinac Island. A
strategic military post and valuable fur trade center, Mackinac
island was the key to the upper great lakes. Aware of Fort
Mackinac's importance, British troops from Fort St. Joseph made
it their target as soon as war was declared. The tides of war
proved no match for the driving force of men's fashions as need
for the beaver skin shadowed the military decisions on both
sides. Each of the restored building holds something different
for the curious. One of the stories told is that of Dr. William
Beaumont who served as post surgeon at Fort Mackinac in the early
1820's Beaumont treated many soldiers and civilians while at
Mackinac including Alexis S. Martin who was wounded in the
abdomen by a accidental rifle shot at a distance of 3 feet, in 1822. Beaumont took a
special interest in St. Martin's wound as the hole never
completely closed. During his long period of recovery St. Martin
lived with the Beaumont family. Dr Beaumont was in the unique
position to observe the human digestive system at work through
the opening of the wound. His studies would eventually explain
the digestive process. On the parade ground, Sgt. Denis Havlena,
an 18 year veteran at the fort was conducting drill and firing
practice with his rare 45-70 cal. Springfield trapdoor rifle. A
tall man with a clear voice, Sgt. Havlena kept kids and parents
alike fascinated with his stories of the old soldiers days and a
description of one of the more colorful helmets of the United
States Army. Yet another uniform was quite prevalent in the area.
The Boy Scouts of Troop 114 from Big Rapids were deployed
throughout the Fort lending direction and assistance where ever
needed. There is a different troop or combination of troops every
week, and the kids sleep at the Fort. The actual area is not
large but with the activities going on it still takes several
hours to see it all.
For more information
check out Mackinac State Historic Parks at www.mackinac.com/historicparks
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