Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Montgomery Pikewas an American brigadier general and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado was renamed. As a U.S. Army officer he led two expeditions, first to reconnoiter the upper reaches of the Mississippi River in 1805-06 and then in 1806-07 to explore the Southwest to the fringes of the northern Spanish-colonial settlements. Pike's expeditions coincided with other Jeffersonian expeditions including the Lewis and Clark Expeditionand the Thomas Freeman and Peter Custis expedition. The second Pike Expedition crossed the...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionExplorer
Date of Birth5 January 1779
CityLamberton, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
If he was disposed to desert, I should take care to retain his horse; that for himself, he might leave as he pleased, as I only wanted men with us.
Owing to the difficulty of obtaining horses, Mr. Henry returns from this place. In descending the Mississippi I will request him to pay his respects to you.
At the lodge the chief gave me many particulars which were relative to the late visit of the Spaniards.
You have already disarmed my men without my knowledge, are their arms to be returned or not?
A discontented young fellow, filled with self pride; he certainly should have considered it an honor to be sent on so respectable an embassy as he was.
Among various demands and charges I gave them, was, that the said flag should be delivered to me, and one of the United States' flags be received and hoisted in its place.
If we go to Chihuahua we must be considered as prisoners of war?
The village had a mill near it, situated on the little creek, which made very good flour. The population consisted of civilized Indians, but much mixed blood.
There had so lately been a large force of Spanish cavalry at the village, which had made a great impression on the minds of the young men, as to their power, consequence, which my appearance with 20 infantry was by no means calculated to remove.
Give immediate instruction to all your posts in said territory, under your direction, at no time and on no pretence to hoist, or suffer be hoisted, the English flag.
The Spanish troops returned and we could yet discover the grass beaten down in the direction which they went.
The Pawnee chief had left the village the day after the doctor arrived, with 50 or 60 horses and many people, and had taken his course to the north of our route.
The toute ensemble was such as to make polished society blush, when compared with these savages.
A young man who is here speaks the Panis language, and in many other respects, is preferable.