howeenterprise.com
Monday, March 11, 2019
Page #13
Texas History Minute The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 sparked a new wave of exploration in the United States as a number of expeditions were Dr. Ken Bridges commissioned at the direction of President Thomas Jefferson to explore the new American frontier. The most famous of these expeditions was the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806, which explored the Upper Missouri River Valley. Of the four major expeditions, one looked to explore the Red River Valley but became the most disastrous of all.
southern border for the United States following the 1795 border treaty with Spain, and botanist and medical student Peter Custis of Virginia. As a result, the Red River Expedition was also called the Freeman-Custis Expedition. The explorers, numbering 24 at this point, left from the Mississippi River port at Natchez, Mississippi Territory, in April 1806 and pushed to the Red River.
The Ouachita River runs to the North and to the East of the Red River, snaking its way from western Arkansas into eastern Louisiana. An expedition along the Red River was not expected to be dissimilar to the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition as most of it would be in a climate similar to those in the Ouachita River Valley.
They soon began moving westward as the Red River takes a sharp turn in Arkansas. The journey had been without incident up to this point. Their encounters with the Caddos had been welcoming. However, the Caddos warned that they had learned that Spanish troops were on their way to capture the expedition. The explorers realized the entire journey was now in danger but decided to press forward regardless.
The group stopped briefly at Natchitoches in what is now western Louisiana. Here, they picked up about 20 more troops as rumors spread that the Spanish had been tipped off about the expedition and intended to confront it. Though under strict orders not to engage in any The idea of a trek along the Red military action, they were willing River to find out more about the to defend themselves. Three reach of the river, its wildlife, and Caddo guides were also included the Native American tribes that as the expedition was about to lived along it had been conceived move into the area of what is now not long after Louisiana had been Northeast Texas, Northwest purchased from France. William Louisiana, and Southwest Dunbar, the Scottish scientist and Arkansas – the heart of Caddo Mississippi planter who had tribal territory at the time. immigrated to the United States The expedition moved northward before the American Revolution, was chosen by Jefferson to plan this through what is now the Shreveport area and entered what venture. In 1805, Dunbar, fresh is now Arkansas by June. The from his successful expedition along the Ouachita River, accepted, trip had been hampered by the relatively shallow waters of the and began sketching out plans for river at the time but were pleased the voyage and the needs for the with their efforts. explorers.
Though the French claimed the entire Red River Valley, the Spanish continued to claim the area for themselves. An expedition along the Red River would take American explorers closer to Spanish territory than any other expedition to this time. However, the Spanish had a difficult time maintaining control over the area of the upper Red River, and a number of Spanish expeditions were defeated by local Native American tribes. Rarely did the Spanish army even attempt to journey into the area.
Their actions over the next few days would determine the fate of the expedition and perhaps even the fate of relations between the United States and Spain. However, as they moved westward into Texas, they never imagined what had led to the expedition’s doom. ...continued next week.
Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor. He By late 1805, the expedition can be reached at leadership consisted of Captain drkenbridges@gmail.com. Richard Sparks, Thomas Freeman, a surveyor who had helped survey the
Theater them." Wilson said she'll never forget his face as he was named the award winner because he was in disbelief.
Continued from page 6 been forced into the Hitler youth program and are trying to balance the desire to save and love his sister while also having to be a member of the Nazi youth.
"He worked hard for it and was with Howe has advanced to the bius after school constantly working district round frequently over the and practicing," said Wilson. past five years but has not made it past that round in a decade or Adkins' character was "Josef" who more. Wilson credits the mix of is the best friend of "Victor" (played students that has made this year by Parker Blount). The lead role has special. Some of the leading roles a twin sister with a mental disability were football players such as (played by Karsyn Fleming) that is Blount and Adkins. in an asylum. Victor and Josef had
"He (Blount) has to be vulnerable and that's tough for teenagers," said Wilson. "We've asked him to cry several times on stage. We have a surprising number of athletes and they bring that game time mentality."
Mention All-Star Cast, and Blount and Fleming each received All-Star Cast.
Wilson and Nail each heralded the students that are all involved in so many activities from sports to band, to robotics, and have all blended Wilson also stated that Fleming together from all angles to make does a beautiful job of representing this an exceptional group of the mentally challenged role performers. without being offensive. The bi-district performance will Along with Adkins' award, Wade take place at Grayson College on received a Technician Award, Friday, March 22. Knight received Honorable
