“Because no war party was ever accompanied by a woman and infant, the response of the Native Americans was curiosity, not aggression.”
- U.S. Department of Defense, Sacagawea: The Early Years |
While the voyagers were well-armed for their journey, they were vastly outnumbered by the various native groups they often encountered along the way. Avoidance of conflict was key to the mission’s success. If, for whatever reason, Lewis and Clark’s men got off on the wrong foot with some Indians, blood would soon be shed.
This is why Sacagawea’s presence, along with that of her baby, was important. She served as a “white flag of peace” for the expedition. When Indians came across the white explorers, they would see Sacagawea, a woman, and her infant child, and instantly realize that no hostile party would ever bring a female or a child along. This proved to be a key factor as in the end, according to the journals, not a single member of the group died due to conflicts with Indians.
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On October 19th, 1805, Clark remarked in his journal, “The Indian woman confirmed those people of our friendly intentions, as no woman ever accompanies a war party of Indians in this quarter.”
End of Project
Image: Iowa mural, author unknown
2015 National History Day Project by Liam Mullen