N3829

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Chief Cameahwait - Shoshone

On August 12, 1805, Lewis spotted the rugged Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains. The next day he and three men came upon three Indian women gathering berries. To the most elderly he gave beads, paint, and a mirror and asked her to "conduct them to their camp" so they could "become acquainted with the chiefs and warriors of their nation." She agreed but after only two miles, sixty fully armed and mounted warriors appeared and could have quickly overwhelmed the small scouting party of explorers.

Fortunately the chief in the lead stopped to speak to the old woman. She told him the white men were friendly and "exultingly shewed the presents which had been given. " He dismounted and warmly embraced Lewis who in turn lit and passed the pipe. Gifts of "blue beads and vermillion" were given and the Shoshones were "much pleased. " They retumed to the Indians' main camp where Lewis saw "a great number of horses feeding in every direction " Drouillard counted 400. That night the Indians gave a dance, and Lewis retired at midnight.

On the 17th the chief whose name was Cameahwait and 15 warriors were with Lewis and his men when Clark arrived with the rest of the Corps of Discovery. Now Sacajawea, Charbonneau, and LaBiche could form a translation line from Shoshone to Hidatsa to French to English. Then, in an astonishing moment in American history, Sacajawea arose excitedly. She had recognized Cameahwail as her brother! They had been separated when the Hidatsa captured her as a child. Lewis wrote "she jumped up, ran & embraced him & threw her blanket over him and cried profusely. " She told her brother they needed horses and a guide to cross the towering mountains. The chief agreed and, due to incredible fate and unbelievable luck, the wilderness reunification of sister and brother would enable the Corps of Discovery to ascend into the Rocky Mountains.