"Surprise Reunion" by Del Iron Cloud | Horse Creek LLC

August 17th, 1805- Sacagawea and her husband, Charbonneau, are interpreting for Lewis and Clark with the Shoshone Indians. Years earlier Sacagawea, a Shoshone, had been captured by the Hidatsa Indians and taken east to the Mandan villages. Charbonneau, a French Canadian trapper, had won Sacagawea from the Hidatsas.

Lewis and Clark had met Charbonneau and Sacagawea the previous winter at Fort Mandan. Realizing that Sacagawea would be invaluable in dealing with the Shoshones, for without Shoshone horses the Corp of Discovery would be doomed. Lewis and Clark hired Charbonneau knowing that Sacagawea would "come along."

Crucial negotiations had just begun for the horses when one of the greatest coincidences in American History occurred. Sacagawea recognizes the Shoshone Chief, Cameahwait, as her brother! She immediately jumps up and give him her blanket. Through many tears of happiness negotiations proceed and the horses are obtained and the Corp of Discovery continues through the Rocky Mountains on its way to the Pacific Ocean...

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Horse Creek Ranch
12739 Horse Creek Road
Rapid City, South Dakota

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