-
Sacagawea was born
Sacagawea was born in May 1788 . She was born in Lehmi County, Idaho. Her father was a Shoshone chief. -
Kidnapped by Hidatsa Indians
Sacagawea was just 12 years old when she was kidnapped. She was kidnapped by the gun-possessing Hidatsa Indians during a buffalo hunt and brought to their encampment on the Missouri River.The Hidatsa killed almost all of her family and Sacagawea would not see her remaining family for years. -
Sold to a Trader
In the winter of 1803, through a trade, gambling payoff or purchase, Sacagawea became the property of a French-Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau. He made her one of his many wives. Charbonneau was well over two decades her senior. -
Hired by Lewis and Clark
Sacagwea's husband was hired by Lewis and Clark primarily because of the skills Sacagawea possessed. She knew several Indian languages, and being Shoshone, could help Lewis and Clark make contact with her people. She was six months pregnant at the time of being hired. -
Joined the Corps of Discovery
Sacagawea and her husband joined the Corps of Discovery two months after the birth of her son, Jean Baptiste a.k.a. Pompy, in 1805 and were an important resource to Lewis and Clark as they headed West. Scacagawea would translate to Charbonneau, who would translate to a French Man in the Corps, who would translate it to Lewis and Clark. This Chain of Translation helped the expedition to make peace with native tribes. -
Near Tragedy
The boat in which Sacagawea was sailing captized when a squall hit and Charbonneau, the navigator, panicked. Sacagawea had the presence of mind to gather crucial papers, books, navigational tools, medicines, and other provisions that might have otherwise disappeared--all while simultaneously ensuring her baby's safety. This proved her value to the expedition and what she was capable of. -
Reunited with her Brother
Sacagawea and the party encountered a Shoshone group who, was not only from Sacagawea's band, but the chief was Sacagawea's brother Cameahwait. They embraced in a tearful reaunion, as the expedition purchased horses from the group. Sacagawea had a great opportunity to return to her Shoshonr band, but decided to stay with the Corps of Discovery and journey West. -
Built For Clatsop
Sacagawea was allowed to vote along with the other members of the expedition about where to build a fort to stay in during the winter. They built Fort Clatsop near present-day Astoria, Oregon and remained there until March of the following year. This Fort protected them from the harsh winter in the wilderness. -
The Expedition Ends
The Corps of Discovery returned to the Hidatsa villages on August 14, 1806. This marked the end of the trip for Sacagawea, Charbonneau, and their son, Jean Baptiste. When the trip was over, Sacagawea got nothing, but Charbonneau recieved $500.33 and 320 acres of land. -
Traveled to St. Louis
After the expedition, Sacagawea and Charbonneau traveled to St. Louis to visit William Clark. They left their son Jean Baptiste in Clark's care for him to raise as his own son. Clark raised Jean Baptiste and once he was older, Jean traveled the world. -
Lisette
Three years after giving William Clark the responisbilty for Pompy, Sacagawea gave birth to a second child, a daughter, whom they named Lisette. It is unknown wether or not Lisette survived past her infancy, but if she did, she would have been taken into Clark's care after the passing of her mother. -
Sacagawea Died
A few months after her dauaghter's birth, Sacagawea reportedly died at Fort Manuel of Putrid Fever in 1812. While some historians speculate that it was of Charbonneau's other wives that died, William Clark reportedly wrote in his diary of Sacagawea's death around 1812. If it was one of Charbonneau's other wives that died, it is thought that Sacagawea returned to her Shoshone t tribe, later in her life, and died after a long life in April of 1884.
