Sacagawea
Accounts of Sacagawea are full of conflicting information; historians even disagree on the spelling and pronunciation of her name. Most of us know her as Sacajawea, but some authors refer to her as Sakakawea. The most common sources lately use Sacagawea. Her name meant Bird Woman, in Hidatsa, but in Shoshoni it is translated Boat Pusher.
She was of the Shoshoni (Snake) tribe, but was captured by the Minatarees (Hidatsa) at about age 12. Sometime later she was sold or given to Toussaint Charbonneau, a Frenchman who often hired out as interpreter or guide for white explorers. Charbonneau married her (he had Indian wives in numerous parts of the West, and is said to have been "always marrying somebody.")
While Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery were wintering at Ft. Mandan in 1804, Charbonneau applied to accompany them as an interpreter when the journey resumed. He was able to communicate with several tribes; however the captains were more interested in his 16 year old wife, Sacagawea, because they would need a link to the Shoshoni in order to acquire horses for crossing the Rocky Mountains.
On February 11, 1805, Sacagawea gave birth to a son, Jean Baptiste. Lewis, the unofficial doctor for the party, attended the birth, which was difficult. A few weeks later, the Corps of Discovery, including Charbonneau and his family, departed up the Missouri in search of a route to the Pacific. It soon became evident that Charbonneau was a poor waterman and horseman, but he was a passable cook, and his wife proved to be such an asset that the company put up with his bumbling.
Early on, Sacagawea earned respect by saving valuable supplies when a boat, piloted by Charbonneau, nearly capsized. She also gathered roots for food and medicine and helped out in any capacity she could. When tribes fearful of, or hostile to, whites were encountered, the presence of a woman and child with the party were reassuring.
Clark seems to have developed a rapport with Sacagawea that was gently teasing, but his journals show that he held her in high esteem and often worried about her. His nickname for her was Janey, and he became very fond of the child, whom he called Pomp, a name meaning "First Born," in Shoshoni.
When the party entered Shoshoni territory, near what is presently Three Forks Montana, Sacagawea began to recognize landmarks, and on July 28, they made camp at the site of her kidnapping. On August 11, after Lewis and a few of the men struck out on land ahead of the main party, they encountered a group of Shoshoni, who were wary of the whites. Camehwait, the head chief, was more agreeable, and went with Lewis to meet with the remainder of the Corps. The rendezvous occurred on August 15, amid much rejoicing as Sagcagawea renewed old acquaintances. Upon being brought into the tent to interpret, she recognized
Camehwait as her older brother, and was overcome with joy. After learning that a sister had died, leaving a son, she promptly adopted the boy, in the way of her people.
The Corps were able to trade for some horses before continuing the journey, and Sacagawea elected to accompany the group. Her knowledge of the mountain country was helpful in numerous instances. They experienced many hardships before reaching their destination, and upon arrival were forced to winter on the coast in miserable conditions. During this time some local Indians arrived at the camp to report a large whale beached nearby. Sacagawea expressed a desire to see it, as well as the ocean, saying it seemed only fair after she had come so far. Captain Clark took her and several others to the spot, where they harvested some blubber, though there was little left of the fish besides a skeleton.
The party departed for home on March 23, 1806. Sacagawea was helpful on the return as well, again by hunting for food, recognizing landmarks, and planning routes. They arrived at Ft. Mandan on August 17, where Clark settled with Charbonneau for his services and offered to provide a home and education for Baptiste in St. Louis. The parents agreed to bring the child to Clark when he was weaned, and did so. Charbonneau purchased land near St. Louis from Clark in 1810, but sold it back to him some months later. Apparently, Charbonneau and Sacagawea went back upriver in the spring of 1811. Journals of John C. Luttig, the clerk at Ft. Manuel, indicate they were there during the winter of 1812. Luttig reported the death of Charbonneau’s wife, (a Snake squaw) on December 20, 1812, and mentioned she left an infant girl. His description of the woman would indicate that the wife of Charbonneau who perished was Sacagawea however Shoshoni oral tradition insists she traveled about the west for many years and eventually died on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
Ft. Manuel was abandoned the following spring, and Luttig headed for St. Louis with the baby girl, whom he called Sacagawea’s Lizette. In June 1813, at St. Louis, Luttig applied for guardianship of Lizette and a young boy,"Toussaint," a name by which Baptiste was often called. Court records show Luttig’s name crossed out and replaced by William Clark’s.
No further record of Lizette exists. Baptiste can be traced until 1866, the probable year of his death, though like his mother, Shoshoni tradition has him and his adopted brother living to a ripe old age.
|
