More than two hundred years after the Lewis and Clark expedition reached its end. Sacagawea's name lives on in many places throughout the united states. There's mount Sacagawea, the Sacagawea river, Sacagawea glacier and Sacagawea peak. There are schools, lakes, and parks named after Sacagawea. There are monuments and statues that honor her. There is even a Sacagawea dollar coin. In 2001, President William J. Clinton made Sacagawea an honorary sergeant in the U.S army. Sacagawea is one of the most famous women in American history. but who was Sacagawea, and why do we remember her today?
Sacagawea is famous for her heroic efforts as she traveled more than eight thousand miles with the Lewis and Clark expedition from 1805 to 1806. Sacagawea's courage, determination, and knowledge helped Lewis and Clark achieve their of crossing the continent. Without Sacagawea, the expedition might not have been a success.
Sacagawea stepped into history's in November 1804, when she met captain Meriwether Lewis and captain William Clark. The explorers built fort Mandan near Sacagawea's home in North Dakota. They spent the winter at fort Mandan, preparing to complete their journey across America.
Lewis and Clark hired Sacagawea's husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, to join their expedition because he spoke many native American Languages. However, he did not speak Shoshone. Lewis and Clark had to have someone who spoke Shoshone.
They needed to trade for Shoshone horses to help them cross the towering rocky mountains. Fortunately, Charbonneau's Wife Sacagawea, spke this language! So Sacagawea and her infant son, Jean Baptiste (nicknamed Pomp), also joined the Lewis and Clark expedition. Sacagawea had grown up in the mountains and was excited to go with Lewis and Clark. She would be able to return to her childhood home.
On the morning of April 7, 1805, the expedition fort Mandan. Sacagawea soon proved she was an excellent addition to the group. She collected roots, which added vegetables to the men's diet of meat. She thought Captain Lewis the Native American names for plants and animals as they traveled. She helped make camp each night, setting up the tepee and cooking meals. and she cared for baby Pomp, who was a happy reminder to the tired men of their faraway homes and families.
The Journey up the Missouri river was difficult. The men paddled and poled against the Missouri's rough current. They sailed when they could. The group battled millions of mosquitos and gnats. Hail pelted them. Thunderstorms drenched them . Grizzly's attacked them.
One day, Sacagawea was travelling in a small boat with pomp. Suddenly, a gust of wind hit the boat's sail. The boat tipped and filled with water. Sacagawea made sure Pomp was safe. Then she rescued compasses, books, clothing, and other equipment the expedition needed in order to survive. Captain Lewis and Captain Clark praised Sacagawea's heroic efforts. They named a small river the Sacagawea River in her honor.
Summer was passing quickly, and Lewis and Clark were becoming more and more anxious. They still had not reached the rocky mountains. They had to hurry to find the Shoshones and, with Sacagawea's help, trade for the horses they needed. Sacagawea was eager , too. She wanted to see her Shoshone home and family.
One day, Sacagawea recognized Beaverhead rock. Sacagawea told Lewis and Clark that they were near her people. Finally, the expedition had reached the Shoshone camp high in the mountains. Sacagawea approached the Shoshone chief to trade for the horses. Suddenly, Sacagawea jumped up and hugged the chief. The chief was her brother Cameahwait!
Even with the horses, the expedition struggled to cross the mountains. at last, they reached the western slope, built canoes, and hurried down the rivers to the sea as best as they could. On November 7, 1805, Captain Clark wrote, "Ocean in view! O the joy!"
The Pacific Ocean
The Lewis and Clark expedition and Sacagawea had finally reached the Pacific Ocean. The men Built fort Clatsop, where they spent the long, wet winter. Sacagawea sewed elk-skin clothes and moccasins, cooked elk meat, and collected roots and berries. She even saw a whale wash up on shore. Captain Clark made a map of the areas they had passed through. Captain Lewis wrote in his journals about the people they had met and the adventures they had had.
Journal of Captain Meriwether Lewis
In March 1806, the expedition began the long journey home. They paddled up the Columbia river and crossed the rocky mountains. Lewis and Clark split up so they could explore more land. Captain Lewis went North. Captain Clark and Sacagawea went south. The two groups planned to meet on the Missouri river. Sacagawea knew this land well. She had often traveled here with her people. She guided Captain Clark, showing him a pass through the mountains.
Lewis and Clark met as they had planned. Now they did not have to battle the mighty Missouri river. Instead, they raced down stream until they reached the Native Americans near fort Mandan. Here Sacagawea, Pomp, and Charbonneau left Lewis and Clark.
Charbonneau received $500 for his work. Sacagawea received only praise for all she had done. By finding food, rescuing supplies, making clothes, trading for horses, and leading the way at times, Sacagawea had heroically helped make the Lewis and Clark expedition the great success it was.
In March 1806, the expedition began the long journey home. They paddled up the Columbia river and crossed the rocky mountains. Lewis and Clark split up so they could explore more land. Captain Lewis went North. Captain Clark and Sacagawea went south. The two groups planned to meet on the Missouri river. Sacagawea knew this land well. She had often traveled here with her people. She guided Captain Clark, showing him a pass through the mountains.
Lewis and Clark met as they had planned. Now they did not have to battle the mighty Missouri river. Instead, they raced down stream until they reached the Native Americans near fort Mandan. Here Sacagawea, Pomp, and Charbonneau left Lewis and Clark.