The fort was established in 1723 on the Missouri River by Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont. It was to be the Missouri River headquarters of the newly claimed La Louisiane territory. Like the newly founded New Orleans, Louisiana, it was named for the Duke of Orléans. De Bourgmont had commanded the French fort at Fort Detroit. In 1706 he and other soldiers deserted when criticized by Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac for his handling of a skirmish with attacking tribe members. A French priest and soldier were killed by the Indians, and the French killed 30 Ottawa tribesmen.