N3805

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Private Pierre Cruzatte

Pierre was born into the world by an Omaha mother (who taught him that tongue) and a French father. He was skilled in Indian sign language, and Lewis hired him on May 21, 1804 in St. Charles. He was small, wiry, and had only one eye in which he was nearsighted. Cruzatte was a fine fiddler who played often for the men as well as the Indians. Sworn in as a private, Pierre proved to be a valuable member of the Corps. He was one of the two best rivermen and had major responsibilities on the keelboat. During a squall on April 13, 1805, he saved the white pirogue which carried the journals, maps and instruments from capsizing. Cruzatte's skill averted disaster.

He also knew how to build a cache which was a hidden underground dry storage pit to secure items safely. On June 9, 1805 at tho mouth of the Marias River, under Pierre's direction, the Corps left tools, rifles, powder kegs, and food for their refurn trip. That night Lewis wrote, "In the evening Cruzatte gave us some music on the violin, and the men passed the evening in dancing and singing and were extreemely cheerfull. "