James Trump

Rogers Rangers and the Search for the River Ourigan James Trump

Thirty-six years before Lewis and Clark set out on their voyage of discovery, Major Robert Rogers, Commandant of Fort Michilimackinac, launched his own expedition in search of the elusive Northwest Passage. He was certain this water route across the continent existed. The key, however, was finding the River Ourigan, so named by the western Indians and said to run from the Shining Mountains to the Great Western Ocean. Lack of funds to sustain the mission and Rogers' arrest, alleging he was conspiring with the French to betray the British Crown (which were proven false) forced the expedition to turn back.

Now with the backing of King George, Rogers assembles a coalition of investors creating the Far West Company, whose success depends on the opening of a new trading empire west of the Mississippi River and over the Shining Mountains. Upon returning to Fort Michilimackinac, Rogers leads a battalion of Rangers in search of the fabled passage leading to the riches of the Pacific Ocean and the Far East.

Travel with Major Rogers and his men through the interior of the continent and experience the wonders and dangers they encounter along the way. Does the passage really exist? Join the expedition to find out.