Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born out of Lamberton, New Jersey just after the spark of the American Revolution in 1779. Zebulon was a very creative and optimistic boy with a great future ahead of him. Little did he know that his life would be filled with great and wondrous adventures, amazing showing of bravery and courage, a climb that would test his character, and imprisonment that will test his soul.
At a young age he would want to join the military just like his father, Zebulon Pike Sr. who started in 1775 to help with the American Revolution against Britain. Although being born in New Jersey, Pike didn't stay there long for Britain took over New Jersey, so he and his family settled on a few outposts in Ohio and Illinois. Chasing his
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dream to become a soldier, he joined in to the infantry and in 1799 Zebulon Pike was commissioned as second lieutenant. Zebulon did so well he was promoted to first lieutenant in that very same year. An interesting fact to note about Zebulon Pike is that he descended from an English Immigrant that went by the name of John Pike. John traveled here from England in 1635 and help found the town Woodbridge in New Jersey. That isn’t the interesting part. The interesting part is that a Surname DNA project was conducted proving roughly about 20% of participants of this experiment had some sort of same male line genetic relationship with Zebulon Montgomery Pike. Even though Zebulon never had any male offspring. So you may not know it, but you could be related to John and Zebulon Pike without even knowing it. Now away from DNA and double helixes and back to Zebulon Pike. In 1801, about 8 years from when America was finally independent, Zebulon married Clarissa Harlow Brown. They had one child throughout their marriage. Her name was Clarissa Brown Pike who later grew up to marry a man named John Harrison, son of the 9th president, William Henry Harrison. Pike’s beginning to his military career wasn’t exactly a courageous and heroic start. He worked on logistics and payrolls at several frontier posts. In that time a man named James Wilkinson became his guider and mentor. He was governor of Upper Louisiana Territory and was stationed in that particular region. Wilkinson liked Pike so much he sent him on a mission and that was to find the source of the Mississippi River. So Pike traveled up in to the Louisiana Territory that was just recently bought from France in the Louisiana Purchase. After successfully completing his first mission, Wilkinson sent Pike on yet another expedition almost immediately after Pike returned from the first mission.
This time it was to explore, map out, and find the main headwaters of Arkansas and Red rivers that ran through the region. But that wasn’t all that Pike had to do. Zebulon also had to complete the journey to establish a friendly and strong relationship with the Native Americans and also to evaluate and report back on natural resources that the expanding colonies could use to their advantage.
On the 15th of July in 1806, Zebulon Pike would begin the long journey that will later be called the “Pike Expedition”. Wilkinson even sent his own son, James Wilkinson Jr., to be Zebulon’s lieutenant. But now to historians, General James Wilkinson seemed to know that the ruthless Spaniards that controlled the region the group was sent straight in to would surely captured the crew.
In early November, Zebulon and his crew spotted and tried to climb a mountain. A mountain that would later be known as Pike’s Peak. They made it at least two-thirds the way up the majestic mountain before having to turn back. It was a smart move because there was snow all the way up to about their waist and torso. In addition to the harsh weather conditions, Zebulon and his group have not had eaten for two days straight. Those were the main reasons that forced to crew to turn
back. Continuing south, still on the watch for the Red River’s headwaters, the group accidentally crossed the border into Mexico. They were picked up in northern New Mexico and escorted to Santa Fe. Pike was treated the best out of his men who were all imprisoned. He was still kept prisoner but was invites to some social dinners. After some discussion with the governor of the state, Pike and most of his men were escorted North. While most of his men got out, many are held prisoner in Mexico for several years. Pike was again promoted, this time to Captain. Then In 1811, newly promoted Zebulon Pike and the 4th Infantry Regiment fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe. He was then again promoted Colonel in 1812 just in time for the War of 1812. In the next year, Pike was promoted to Brigadier General. He and General Jacob Brown departed from the New York shore of Lake Ontario on what would be his last expedition. He led and commanded troops on an attack on York (which is now modern day Toronto). On April 27, 1813, Pike and many of his men were killed by flying rocks and debris when the British blew up it’s ammunition magazine as Pike and his men were approaching. He was 34 years old when he died. The story of Zebulon Pike can relate to the NHD topic in many ways. He conducted not one but two expeditions exploring, mapping, and evaluating the resources around him. This fits in to the topic because his whole job was to explore and find things that would help his country expand and grow. He encountered many things on is expeditions. Such as mountains, prison, and Native Americans. He surely must have encountered some wildlife along the way as well. These encounters shaped him into the courageous and heroic general that Zebulon always wanted to be. Whether he did that or not might be a little arguable since he really only led two major battles. But it is for sure that Zebulon Pike has molded and shaped our country into what it is today for his achievements in mapping, exploration, and acts of bravery in warfare.
In 1948, he was released and then he joined the Air Force. Even in the military he managed to cause trouble. He was sent to the military prison for assault many times. He also got arrested in 1950 for being absent without leave. Believe it or not, he still got an honorable discharge four years after he had joined the service. After he was released from the Air Force, he went back home to Massachusetts.
Exploration was economically, politically, and religiously motivated. All explorers had an objective before embarking on their voyages; however, not all explorers went about their expeditions the same. Christopher Columbus described in his journal how his main goal was to aid himself and Spain by treating the Natives and their lands that he encountered as a means to profitable goods. Samuel de Champlain had contrasting ideas, and he allied himself with certain tribes giving the French additional control. Champlain’s friendliness, concern, and cooperation with the natives took him past the economic dealings and into a more trustworthy relationship.
...ion with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803, and furthered it with the expedition. Some instant ramifications were present after the expedition: it led to the northern plains fur trade from 1806-1812 that came out of Lewis and Clark’s focus on improving trade. 33 In a broader sense, the expedition promoted further expansion goals for the United States as a whole later on in American history. The idea of manifest destiny later on in the 19th century reflects a continued goal of the United States to expand. Thus, the “land hungry” attitude that Jefferson himself exhibited went on to influence later American goals of expansion out west. Lewis and Clark’s expedition thus was only the beginning, as it was the first American expedition out last, but nevertheless was surely not the last based on the benefits that the United States reaped after its completion.
While Peak and his group are climbing a steep icewall, one of the climber’s ice axe broke. Peak decides to climb down and help the fellow climber. This act could have killed Peak, yet he would risk his own life for a friend. “Got him! I shouted down to Zopa”(202). This quote reveals that Peak saved his fellow climbers life. Also, when Peak is less than 10 feet away from the summit of Everest he lets Sun-Jo reach the top. Even though Sun-Jo was having issues up the whole mountain and Peak saved his life. Peak and Sun-Jo are both 14. They both would be the youngest to make it to the Summit of Everest. Sun-Jo is poor and all Sun-Jo wants to do is go to school. Peak lets Sun-Jo reach the summit and get all the money and fame. “I don’t have a reason for being here. I’m heading back down the north side”(230). This quote shows Peak is letting Sun-Jo to the summit, and Peak just climbs down the mountain, not even reaching the summit after Sun-Jo. Too often in life, criminals do not change to kind people but, Peak’s actions show readers that 1 little thing can fix up someone's
== == == = George Custer was born on December 5, 1839 in New Rumley, Ohio. He was educated in the United States Military Academy.
Clark, during the 1770’s, was helping Kentucky defend itself from Native Americans. At the time, Clark was transporting gunpowder to the frontier between the Americans and the British. The Native Americans, who lived in the Northwest, disliked the Americans in the Northwest and their claim on Kentucky and with the British backing, waged war with the Americans. Clark was now in charge of defending the settlements and was promoted to major. Clark then made plans in taking British held forts in the region and persuaded Governor Patrick Henry to support him in capturing the forts. Clark had won the support of Patrick Henry, was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and was given command of the mission (“George Clark” 1). With the command of the mission, Clark had lead 175 men who traveled to Fort Kaskaskia, Illinois in six days. The fort was almost defenseless and was easily taken with Clark’s force. Clark had sent Captain Leonard Helm to capture Fort Sackville, after learning that the fort was undefended from American spies. Leonard Helm had then captured the fort, but was taken back by Henry Hamilton shortly after. Henry Hamilton, the famous British “Hair Buyer”, used militia and Native Americans to take Fort Sackville. In the winter, Clark lead a force of 170 men ...
Geographic discovery was an essential goal that Jefferson set for the expedition. Lewis and Clark recorded a wealth of scientific knowledge as they noted significant geographic features, made detailed route maps, and recorded their observations of longitude and latitude. Lewis performed most the astronomical duties and Clark charted the course and drafted expedition maps.
Daniel Boone was born November 2, 1734 in a log cabin in Berks County, near Pennsylvania. Boone is one of the most famous pioneers in history. He spent most of his life exploring and settling the American frontier.
Carolina. The. His father died before the war, and his mother and siblings all died during the war from disease or other causes, leaving him an orphan at the age of 14. When he was a kid he only received sporadic education, and education back then was simply not enough. But he did well and eventually went on to study law.
Many used the slogan “Pikes Peak or Bust” to show that it was all or nothing, either they gave it their all to reach the location of Pikes Peak or they would lose everything they had tried. The Pikes Peak Gold Rush nearly increased Colorado’s population by 50,000 people overnight. Miners had begun their search for gold in the streams and gravel beds when they first came over to Colorado. But as time progressed and gold became harder to find in those places, miners began to dig deeper into the land, which allowed them to find larger rocks of gold. By the end of September, about 891 men were mining for gold.
Davy Crockett, the celebrated hero, warrior and backwoods statesman, was born August 17, 1786 in a small cabin on the banks of Nolichucky River, near the mouth of Limestone Creek, which today lies about three and a half miles off 11-E Highway near Limestone, Tennessee.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the crowning achievement of Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency. Without the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the United States may never have expanded west. The expedition set out from outside St. Louis in May of 1804. During that summer and into the fall, the explorers paddled upstream, northwest on the Missouri River to Fort Mandan where the Corps of Discovery set up camp, wintered, and prepared for the journey to the Pacific. This expedition was extremely important for the new nation because on their journey, the Corps of Discovery did find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. They documented and cataloged the geography, as well as new flora and fauna they encountered, resulting in an extensive journal of new scientific information. They also established diplomatic and trade relations with the Native American Tribes they encountered along the way.
After practicing law in Savannah for a short time, Milledge supported the patriotic cause, joined the Georgia militia like his father, and served in the Revolutionary War. In May of 1775, along with Edward Telfair, who served as governor of Georgia in the late 16th century, and numerous other patriots, John Milledge stormed the British gover...
George S. Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California (General, Bio).George grew up knowing that he wanted to become a hero (The Official, Bio). Of course the reason why he wanted to become a hero is that his family was a military family and he wanted to be like them (The Official, Bio). Patton’s ancestors and relatives fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the Mexican War (The Official, Bio).
The Lewis and Clark expedition across the present day United States began May 14, 1804. With the approval of President Jefferson and the U.S. Congress, Lewis and Clark gathered an exploration party of about four dozen men. These men headed off to discover Western America. On September 1, 1805, they arrived at the Bitterroot Mountains, near present day Idaho. This began a nightmare that would not end until they reached modern-day Weippe. September 1, 1805, the explorers set out traveling west, heading into rough, seldom traveled, mountainous country. They stopped at today’s North Fork of the Salmon River, known as Fish Creek to Lewis and Clark, where they caught five fish, and were able to kill a deer (MacGregor 125). Some of the men’s feet and horse’s hooves were injured due to the rough, rocky terrain. The next day, they were entering mountains far more difficult to pass than any American had ever attempted (Ambros 284). Clark describes the route: "Throu’ thickets in which we were obliged to cut a road, over rocky hillsides where horses were in perpetual danger of slipping to their certain distruction and up and down steep hills…" (De Voto 232). Traveling along the steep hills, several horses fell. One was crippled, and two gave out. Patrick Gass described the trip that day as, "…the worst road (If road it can be called) that was ever traveled" (MacGregor 125). To make conditions even worse, it rained that afternoon, which made the trail even more treacherous. The party was only able to travel five miles that day. On September 3, snow fell and the team’s last thermometer broke. Several more horsed slipped and injured themselves. Later that day, the snow turned into sleet. The expedition family consumed the last of their salt pork and fish and began their descent into the Bitterroot Valley. That night, was the coldest yet. The next day, the party went down a very steep descent to a river that Lewis named, Clark’s River, (Today known as The Bitterroot River.) There, they encountered a band of Salish Indians, whom the captains called Flatheads. They stayed there with the Indians the next couple of days to trade. They acquired thirteen new Appaloosa Horses, including three colts, for seven worn out horses. The Salish Indians shared berries and roots with the men for their meals. On September 6, they set off traveling northward along the Bitterroot River for about ten miles.