“Captain Pike’s Company”
Plans Reenactments and Programs
at Pueblo and Bent’s Fort

Since the United States Senate passed Resolution 252 recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Captain Pike’s Expeditions. The Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army have been approached to support these events as “Captain Pike’s Company” in much the same way they have supported the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. The events they will visit portraying members of the expedition have been chosen on the basis of being considered of nationwide historical significance, having the potential of high visitation, and being multicultural in nature. As with the Lewis and Clark events, the reenactors will not only tell the story of the expedition, but also the Army story, as well as telling the public what the Corps of Engineers is all about on a national and agency-wide level.

“Captain Pike’s Company” will be visiting the following Bicentennial events for 2006:

July 14-15 – Pueblo, CO area (exhibit, monument dedication, and living history encampment)

October 6-9 – Bent’s Fort National Historic Site, CO (living history encampment only)

During the Pueblo event, the Corps will be involved in two separate venues– an exhibit, and a living history display. The exhibit showcases Pike’s Western Expedition and some of his artifacts. They will set up a two-table exhibit manned by men in the army uniforms of the time period or uniformed Park Rangers. The two-table exhibit includes table covers with the Corps of Engineers logo on them, artifacts from the time period that the expedition would have carried, and two one-page handouts about the expedition and the Corps of Engineers.

The living history displays are actual campsites populated with reenactors portraying the daily life on the expedition.

Because the Pike expedition was contemporary with the time period of the Lewis and Clark, much of the camping equipment and layout is similar to a Lewis and Clark encampment. Members of Captain Pike’s Company include Corps of Engineers personnel and representatives of the Frontier Army Living History Association. The reenactors will set up a camp using the army regulations of the time period. The camp consists of one common tent for the captain and several additional common tents for the enlisted men and other members of the expedition. The many accoutrements that would have been taken by the expedition are also exhibited.

When in camp, Capt. Pike’s Company will post guards, performed daily tasks around the camp (cleaning guns, repairing leather goods, molding bullets, washing clothes, sewing, writing in their journals, repairing equipment, and practicing the manual of arms, etc), and finish off each day with a “whiskey” ration. All camp activities and demonstrations are intended to show that this was an Army endeavor from beginning to end. Drills and formations are conducted in a military fashion.

The Pike Bicentennial activities mirror those that have been so popular for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial events. They have assembled the presentations and programming in the same manner, but have incorporated new material and research to reflect Pike’s expedition. Some changes have been made to authentically interpret this expedition. Since some slightly different equipment was taken on the Pike expedition, new items have been procured and are presented. New regimental coats (dress uniform coats) were also acquired to accurately reflect the change in the Army Uniform Regulations of 1804. Even the style of the personalities of the men has been changed! The Lewis and Clark Expedition was very upbeat, well equipped, and well planned, so the morale of the men was generally high and attitudes, discipline, and everyday work in the camp reflected that.

The Pike expedition, however, was just the opposite—poorly equipped and ill-planned—and the morale and attitudes of the men in camp will portray this.

Visitors who spend time exploring the camps and displays during the upcoming Bicentennial events will come away with a real sense of what it was like to be in the Army and on an exploratory expedition in the early 1800’s.

Travelers Can Hit the Trail in Colorado

On May 13, those planning to hit the Pike bicentennial trail can get in the exploration spirit with a unique opportunity to hike three miles along the original Santa Fe Trail behind an ox-drawn trader’s wagon. The National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service will co-sponsor this opportunity to travel with an authentic Santa Fe Trail caravan and experience how early explorers and settlers traveled across the plains. Greg Holt of Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site will demonstrate what life was like for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail as a teamster and packer, and historian and author Mark Gardner (see article above) will give a program on historic travelers along the Trail.

Authentic equipment, livestock, characters, clothing and backdrop will provide great photo and video opportunities. The Pike expedition played a vital role in Santa Fe Trail history. The expedition’s route along the Arkansas River followed and described what would become a key portion of the Santa Fe Trail, and Pike’s published journals revealed the economic opportunities in New Mexico that would lead to the founding of the Santa Fe Trail some eleven years later.

The caravan will travel from the Sierra Vista Overlook (a site Pike may have visited on a scouting trip), to Timpas Picnic Area, along U.S. Highway 350 south of La Junta, Colorado. Those wishing to participate in this free event should rendezvous with the caravan at the Sierra Vista Overlook, located near the junction of highways 71 and 350, between noon and 12:45 p.m., as the whip will crack and the caravan will move out at 1:00 p.m.

Those not physically able to hike the three miles can parallel the caravan’s route along Highway 350. For information call (719) 383-5026 and visit their website information.