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Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters and the Exploration of Western America

Daniel Knight

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Published in Into The Wilderness: The Long Hunters (Westward America 1)

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The Lure of the Unknown

In the mid-18th century, as the British colonies in North America pushed westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains, a group of adventurous frontiersmen emerged. Known as long hunters, they ventured into uncharted territories, driven by a thirst for exploration, land, and adventure.

Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters (Westward America 1)

Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters (Westward America! Book 1)

by Rosanne Bittner

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	326 KB
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Print length	:	288 pages
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These intrepid pioneers were skilled woodsmen and hunters, capable of surviving in the harsh and unforgiving wilderness. Equipped with rifles, tomahawks, and a deep knowledge of the land, they embarked on extended hunting expeditions that could last for months.

Trailblazing into the Frontier

As they traveled deeper into the wilderness, long hunters became the first Europeans to explore and map vast regions of Western America. They forged paths through dense forests, navigated treacherous mountains, and crossed mighty rivers. Their explorations opened up new lands for settlement and trade, and laid the foundation for the westward expansion of the United States.

One of the most famous long hunters was Daniel Boone, a frontiersman and explorer who led a group of settlers through the treacherous Cumberland Gap in 1775. His journey opened up the Wilderness Road, a vital trail that connected the eastern colonies to Kentucky and beyond.

Encounters with Native American Tribes

As long hunters ventured into new territories, they encountered Native American tribes who had long inhabited the land. These encounters were often fraught with conflict and mistrust, as both sides competed for resources and territory.

Some long hunters sought to establish peaceful relationships with Native Americans, while others engaged in violent confrontations. The most notable clash occurred in 1774 at the Battle of Point Pleasant, where a long hunter militia led by George Rogers Clark defeated a Shawnee war party.

The Transylvania Company and Land Speculation

The exploration of Western America by long hunters also played a significant role in land speculation and the westward expansion of British colonies. In 1775, Colonel Richard Henderson and a group of land speculators formed the Transylvania Company, which purchased a vast tract of land in present-day Kentucky and Tennessee from the Cherokee Native Americans.

Henderson's company aimed to establish a new colony in the West, but its claims were disputed by Virginia and other colonies. The Transylvania Company's efforts ultimately failed, but it fueled the desire for land ownership and westward expansion among settlers.

Legacy of the Long Hunters

The long hunters played a pivotal role in the exploration and settlement of Western America. Their daring expeditions opened up new territories, forged paths through the wilderness, and facilitated encounters with Native American tribes.

The legacy of the long hunters can be seen in the westward expansion of the United States and the vibrant frontier culture that emerged in the Ohio Valley. Their adventures, hardships, and conflicts continue to captivate and inspire generations of Americans.

Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters and the Exploration of Western America tells the story of a group of intrepid pioneers who dared to venture into uncharted territories and shape the destiny of a nation. Their explorations, encounters, and triumphs are a testament to the enduring spirit of adventure and the indomitable American frontier.

Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters (Westward America! Book 1)

by Rosanne Bittner

4.4 out of 5