Sacagawea was most likely was
born in 1789. She was Shoshone Native American. When she was
twelve the Shoshone camp was raided by the Hidatsas,
They took horses and prisoners. Sacagawea and her friend Jumping
Fish were captured. Jumping fish managed to escape but Sacagawea
stayed to take care of a sick friend.
Charbonneau was her
husband. He had either won, or bought her from the Hidatsas. Sacagawea
was not his only Shoshone wife. Lewis And when
Clark started the expedition on May 14, 1804,
they wanted Sacagawea to come by herself. Charbonneau gave the two captains
a list of demands for the expedition. Lewis and Clark said no.
Charbonneau ended up joining the corps without any of his demands.
Sacagawea's son was born on Febuary 11, 1805.
She named him Jean Babtiste. Clark nicknamed
Babtiste "Pomp".
Two days after the expedition had started Sacagawea had already helped
them, by finding roots for them.
Sacagawea had become very sick but after Clark gave her medicines
she was able to get better and on June 24 she was able to go fishing.
Sacagawea and York had a special bond. They were the only
people who were "different" in the exploring party.
Sacagawea was very happy when she found her people. She found
that her brother was the chief, and the only people that were
left of her family were her brother and her nephew. Becouse of tradition
she adopted her nephew. But Sacagewea left them with her people, when she left
to continue on with the expedition. The Chief of the Shoshones traded
with the Corps so that they could have some horses.
Other indian tribes were calmed down by Sacagawea because they knew
that people would not bring a woman when they would start a war.
When the expedition was over Clark offered to take care of Babtiste.
Charbonneau and Sacagawea decided that when he was older that they would
agree.
Sacagawea died at Fort Manuel in 1811.
Sacagawea
Alana J. White
1997
