![Fink, Denman, , Artist. On the last portage of the Great Carrying-Place / drawn by Denman Fink ; half-tone plate engraved by H. Davidson. Maine United States, 1903. [Published] Photograph.](https://www.thenmusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2024-12-22-at-2.42.40 PM.png)
![Davidson, Harry, Engraver. Working against the flood on Dead River / drawn by Sydney Adamson ; half-tone plate engraved by H. Davidson. Maine United States, 1903. [Published] Photograph.](https://www.thenmusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/master-pnp-cph-3c00000-3c08000-3c08200-3c08233u.jpg)
In the second week of October 1775, the main body of Arnold’s force reached the Carrying Place where the expedition had to leave the Kennebec River and march west through a series of swamps and glades toward the Chaudiere River that would eventually take them to Quebec City. Despite the grueling overland portage that took days to complete, the expedition’s dwindling food supply, and the growing exhaustion of his troops, Arnold remained optimistic about success of the mission.
"Our men are much fatigued in Carrying over theri Battoes, Provisions, &c, the roads being extremely bad—however their spirit and industry seems to overcome every obstacle—& they appear very cheerful—We have had remarkable fine weather since we left Cambridge, and only one death has happened, & very few accidents by water, which is the more remarkable as there seldom passes a season with some People being drowned in the Kebebec, which is very difficult & dangerous to ascend"
Col. Benedict Arnold, 12 October 1775Roberts, Kenneth (ed.) March to Quebec: Journals of the Members of Arnold’s Expedition (New York: Doubleday and Company, 1947), pp. 50-51.