In 1702 Bourgmont was reported to be with Charles Juchereau de St. Denys and the Troupes de la marine, who were setting up a tannery for buffalo hides at the mouth of the Ouabache River (Wabash River) on the Ohio River.
In 1705 on orders from Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, Bourgmont moved to Fort Pontchartrain at present-day Detroit, Michigan, where he assumed command in 1706.