Introduction
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer who led an expedition in the sixteenth century to explore our continent’s interior and eventually went down in history as one of the first Europeans to make contact with the indigenous peoples of North America. The dramatic journey of the expedition took them through the southeastern United States with ultimate goal of confirming that the Mississippi River emptied into the Gulf of Mexico. As the journey unfolded and exploration intensified, many of the members of the expedition were determined to make their mark in history by becoming the first to discover the route the Mississippi would take to the ocean.
Exploring the American Interior
Setting off from La Florida’s capital city of San Agustin in May of 1539, De Soto and his party of 600 plus conquistadors first crossed the Appalachian Mountains and then proceeded to wander the remote expanses of what is now central Alabama and Mississippi. From there, De Soto’s journey took him farther west with his army of men. He crossed through what is now Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, searching for riches or for a ‘Great Valley’ mentioned by Indian tribes along his march.
De Soto in Mississippi
In June of the year 1541, De Soto and his expedition reached what is now known as the state of Mississippi. This is when they so desperately wanted to find the Mississippi River and make their mark as the first Europeans to explore the area. The men came upon the great river in a small village in the southern tip of the state, but they were still uncertain of its true course.
Expert historian and professor James A. Duncan of Mississippi State University claims, “Although the men had made contact with the great Mississippi River, they did not know how to navigate it or where it truly ended. De Soto’s men headed west in direction of the river and crossed through what is now the state of Arkansas, proceeding in an unorthodox quest to confirm the true course of the river.”
A Long Trek West
It is known that from October of 1541 to May of 1542 the expedition explored the intricate waterways of the lower Mississippi River valley. Starting in northeast Arkansas, the route from Arkansas to the mouth of the river and the Gulf of Mexico was half the length of their 4,000-mile journey thus far. The men of the expedition continued westward, encountering and trading with over fifty different indigenous tribes throughout their quest to reach the mouth of the Mississippi River.
After hundreds of miles braving harsh terrain and a barrage of unfamiliar tribal warfare tactics, De Soto and his men finally reached what they believed to be the mouth of the Mississippi River at a site now known as military point.
Verifying the Route of the Mississippi
Though the men appeared to have finally reached their destination, the difficulty in verifying such accomplishment was great, as they were unsure of the true course the river took. Conquistador Suzar reported, “upon sighting any Portuguese vessels in the area (Gallego-Laudonnière’s ships had made it as far as Cape Sable in what is now South Carolina), De Soto’s men tied their principal canoes in one line parallel to the shore of the Gulf with the intention of verifying their arrival at the river’s mouth”.
The waters of the sea that had now come in contact with the waters of the river eventually confirmed their existence in the Gulf region and thus their discovered route from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the source of the interior of the continent. De Soto’s men had gone down in history as one of the first Europeans to not only make contact with the great river’s mouth but also explore its winding course.
Impacting the Native American Tribes
The arrival of a foreign military presence disrupted the everyday routine of many of the Native American tribes in the region at the time and even caused shifts in population to occur throughout the land. Various historic accounts describe the extent the expedition’s presence had on the local tribes, including increased aggression and a displacement of the natives, who were forced to flee to avoid capture.
The respected professor and historian Dr. Florence Phillips commented, “the expedition often took captives from local tribes and then also stole their resources.” The Native American tribes reacted in various ways, from fighting the conquistadors to actively trying to dodge the expedition. One Indian tribe would even seek to hide their children, who they feared would be captured by the expedition.
The Impact of De Soto’s Expedition Today
When the Spanish had arrived in the region, it altered the course of history for the Native Americans occupying the land. Their disruption of the local tribes and theft of resources had a massive effect on their way of life and De Soto’s men had made their mark as one of the first foreign forces to leave a lasting impact on the indigenous population of the continent.
Though the effects of the expedition were often dire, they did bring with them a wealth of knowledge. The conquistadors had done something that no explorer from the east had yet done: conclude a continental exploration and successfully journey through the entire continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In the process, many of the locals shared stories with De Soto of the great hidden wealth of the area, what we now call the Gulf of Mexico, inspiring him to continue his explorations.
Long Term Effects on the Environment
The expedition blazed a 4,000-mile path across the continent, causing environmental damage along the way. As they moved through the southern states they cleared forests to make way for their journey, as well as introducing new plants and animals to the area. This alteration of the environment, while necessary for the journey of De Soto and his men, cost the native species and plants in the area.
The presence of unfamiliar wild game, as well as altered landscapes brought about by the excursions of the expedition, threatened the populations of local wildlife species. This didn’t just affect the native animals, but the entire habitat of the region. In the path of the expedition, many native plants and trees that had been essential to birds, insects, and other animals for food, nesting, or shelter were destroyed or changed.
Unearthing Artifacts and Documents
The expedition’s route can be traced through various artifacts unearthed in various states which denote their presence as they made their way through the continent. As recently as 2013, documents connected to the expedition have been found. A journal kept by expedition member Ceas de Barrionuevo, who had accompanied De Soto in 1541, was discovered in Louisiana and sheds light on the expedition’s journey and its contact with the native tribes.
These documents and artifacts are the only physical witness to what the expedition had actually found and accomplished during their four-year exploration and an undeniable confirmation of the route the great river had taken.
Prognosis of the Future
Though the environmental damage caused by the expedition can’t be undone, efforts have been made by local governments in recent years to restore the ecosystems of the various states that the expedition had passed through. Through initiatives to plant native species and limit human entry into sensitive areas, the effects of the past harm have begun to be reversed.
The deep impact that De Soto and his men left on the Native American tribes along his journey has also begun to be reversed. Efforts have been made by governments and conservation groups to respect the native populations and their land and to learn from the history left behind by the expedition.
The Legacy of the Expedition
Though the journey of De Soto and his expedition explored uncharted parts of the continent and certainly left their mark in history, their exploration is not without some negative connotations. It is clear, however, that their perseverance in reaching the Mississippi River and the vast wealth of knowledge they gained through their interactions with the Native American people of the area, were both major accomplishments of the expedition.
De Soto’s accomplishment in discovering the route of the Mississippi River will continue to be remembered and celebrated, as will the legacy of his adventurous journey on the exploration and eventual colonization of the American continent.
