Hike with pike: follow Zebulon Pike as he and his men take on the challenges of a mighty landscape. What dangers will they face?Could you lead 20 soldiers and a few horses across the Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains, major mountain system of W North America and easternmost belt of the North American cordillera, extending more than 3,000 mi (4,800 km) from central N.Mex. to NW Alaska; Mt. Elbert (14,431 ft/4,399 m) in Colorado is the highest peak. in the middle of winter? That's what Lieutenant Zebulon Pike Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. (January 5, 1779 – April 27, 1813) was an American soldier and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. His Pike expedition, often compared to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, mapped much of the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase. tried to do 200 years ago, in 1806. The United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. had just purchased the Louisiana Territory Louisiana Territory was a historic, organized territory of the United States from July 4, 1805 until December 11, 1812. It consisted of the portion of the Louisiana Purchase that was not partitioned off into Orleans Territory, which later became the state of Louisiana. from France. The purchase almost doubled the size of the country, and included all or part of what would become 15 states. But what was out there? To find out, U.S. Army General James Wilkinson
The revelation in 1801 of the secret agreement of 1800, whereby Spain retroceded Louisiana to France, aroused . Pike was thrilled. Here was a chance to gain fame and perhaps fortune! Today, however, Pike is remembered mainly for finding the Colorado mountaintop moun·tain·top n. The summit of a mountain. that bears his name--Pikes Peak. His journey was dogged by bad luck. He and his men got lost, almost starved to death, and were captured by foreign troops. Discover what happened--read passages from Pike's journal, and use our map to follow his journey. 1 Starting Out July 15, 1806--We sailed from the landing at [Fort] Belle Fontaine [near St. Louis] about 3 o'clock p.m. in two boats. Our party consisted of two lieutenants, one surgeon, one sergeant, two corporals, sixteen privates, and one interpreter. We also had under our charge chiefs of the Osage and Pawnees who ... had been to Washington. 2 Released From Captivity Pike was in charge of 51 Osage Indians, most of them women and children who had been captured by Indian enemies while hunting. The U.S. government had paid to free these Indians, and it was Pike's job to safely return them to their homes near the Osage River Osage River River, western Missouri, U.S. Formed by the junction of the Marais des Cygnes and Little Osage rivers, it is about 500 mi (800 km) long and is one of the principal tributaries of the Missouri River. in Missouri. Pike recalled the reunion. August 15--Their meeting was very tender and affectionate--wives throwing themselves into the arms of their husbands, parents embracing their children, and children their parents, brothers and sisters meeting ... at the same time, returning thanks to the Good Cod for having brought them once more together. 3 Climbing "Blue Mountain" While crossing the Great Plains of Kansas, Pike saw in the distance what "appeared like a small blue cloud ahead." It was not a cloud, but a towering mountain. On November 26-27, Pike and three of his men set out to climb the "Blue Mountain." November 26--Expecting to return to camp that evening, we left all our blankets and provisions, at the foot of the mountain. ... We commenced ascending, found it very difficult, being obliged to climb up rocks, sometimes almost perpendicular, and after marching all day, we encamped in a cave, without blankets, victuals [food], or water. November 27--The summit of the Grand Peak ... appeared at the distance of 15 or 16 miles from us, and high again as what we had ascended, and would have taken a whole day's march to have arrived at its base, when I believe no human being could have ascended to its pinical [peak]. 4 Depressing Discovery Pike never climbed the mountain peak. Still, they pressed on, searching for the Red River, which formed the southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Territory. The men suffered from frostbite frostbite (chilblains), injury to the tissue caused by exposure to cold, usually affecting the extremities of the body, such as the hands, feet, ears, or nose. Extreme cold causes the small blood vessels in the extremities to constrict. , and some horses fell in the mountains and had to be destroyed. In January, Pike discovered he had been traveling in a circle for a month! January 5--The unbounded space of the prairies again presented themselves to my view, and from some distant peaks, I immediately recognized it to be the outlet of the Arkansas [River], which we had left nearly one month since! This was a great mortification MORTIFICATION, Scotch law. This term is nearly synonymous with mortmain. [embarrassment]. 5 Captured! The horses were worn out, so Pike led his men across the mountains on foot. On January 28, Pike thought he had found the Red River. But it was actually the Rio Grande Rio Grande, city, Brazil Rio Grande (rē`  grän`dĭ), city (1991 pop. , and Pike was in New Spain New Spain: see Mexico, country. . When Spanish troops arrested him, Pike told them he did not know where he was. February 26-- "What, said I, is not this the Red River?" "No, sir! The Rio del Norte Del Norte can refer to multiple things:
How had Pike strayed into Spanish territory? Some historians think he had a secret order to spy on the Spanish. The Spanish took Pike to Santa Fe Santa Fe, city, Argentina Santa Fe, city (1991 pop. 341,000), capital of Santa Fe prov., NE Argentina, a river port near the Paraná, with which it is connected by canal. for questioning, then south to Chihuahua, and finally to Natchitoches where Pike and his men were released in 1807. Pike died fighting in the War of 1812. Your Turn 1. Should Pike be more famous? Explain. 2. What technological advantages do explorers have today that Pike did not? * Write the letter of the correct answer on the line before each question. --16. Zebulon Pike was ordered to explore part of which new U.S. territory? A. California B. Louisiana Purchase C. New Spain D. Spanish West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. --17. Which part of that territory did he explore? A. northeastern B. northwestern C. southeastern D. southwestern --18. Who was part of Pike's original traveling group? A. President Thomas Jefferson B. Lewis and Clark C. Osase and Pawnee Indians D. General James Wilkinson --19. The mountain peak named for Zebulon Pike is in which state? A. Arkansas B. Colorado C. Missouri D. New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). --20. While on his expedition, Pike was captured by whom? A. British soldiers B. Osage and Pawnee Indians C. Spanish troops D. U.S. Army ANSWER 16. B 17. D 18. C 19. B 20. C * Objectives Students should be able to: * understand who Zebulon Pike was. * give at least one reason why some states are honoring him with bicentennial bi·cen·ten·ni·al adj. 1. Happening once every 200 years. 2. Lasting for 200 years. 3. Relating to a 200th anniversary. n. A 200th anniversary or its celebration. Also called bicentenary. events this year. * Background "I believe no human being could have ascended its pinical (pinnacle)," wrote Pike of the mountain named for him. In July 1820, three members of another expedition: Edwin James, J. Verplank, and Z. Wilson climbed the mountain--but not in winter. For a while, the peak was named for James. By 1859, however, it was once again known by Pike's name, as gold-rush hopefuls spurred themselves westward with the saying "Pikes Peak or Bust!" Today, Pikes Peak is a popular site for races by runners, bicyclists, and car drivers. * Critical Thinking RECALLING DETAILS: How was Pike's expedition "dogged by bad luck"? (group unable to reach mountaintop; got lost; arrested by Spanish troops; other answers acceptable.) FORMING A SUPPORTED OPINION: Is Pikes Peak an appropriate name for the mountain, even though Pike never reached the top? Explain. (Answers will vary.) * Activity PLAN A PARTY: This year, six states (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas) are holding special events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pike's expedition. Ask students to imagine that they are in charge of planning. What kind of events would they stage, and why? (For actual events, see the Bicentennial Calendar section at zebulonpike.org.) STANDARD SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * People, places, and environments: Pike's expedition faced difficult terrain and harsh weather. RESOURCES * Calvert, Patricia, Zebulon Pike: Lost in the Rockies (Benchmark Books, 2005). Grades 5-8. * Hart, Stephen Harding, and Hulbert, Archer Butler (eds.), The Southwestern Journals of Zebulon Pike, 1806-1807 (University of New Mexico Press The University of New Mexico Press, founded in 1929, is a university press that is part of the University of New Mexico. External link
WEB SITES * The Pike Page zebulonpike.org * Zebulon Pike documents zebulonpike.net/ pike-docs.htm |
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