N3820

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Chief Black Buffalo - Teton Sioux

On September 2'1, 1804, the Corps arrived at the present day site of Pierre, S.D. Nearby there were villages the Teton Sioux who where krown for their asgressiveness. The next morning warriors and three chiefs came to talk. No one could speak their language, so Lewis demonstrated the air gun and magnifting glass. He then handed out gifts and to the lead chief Black Buffalo gave a red military coat and cocked hat. The Siorx demanded more. The captains invited the chiefs onto the keel-boat and provided small portions of whiskey. They became troublesome, and Clark led a party of seven men to put the chiefs on shore. A tense and dangerous encounter ensued.

When they reached land, a brave defiantly grabbed the boat's rope. The numerous warriors readied their weapons, and as Clark drew his sword, he had his trapped party ready their rifles. On the keelboat, Lewis ordered the men to arms and he made ready to fire the cannon. With hostilities imminent, miraculously it was Black Buffalo who stepped forward and ordered his men to drop the rope. If he had not, it's reasonable to assume that Clark and his party would have been killed, more casualties would have been taken on the keelboat, and the Corps would have returned to St. Louis rewriting United States history.