Zebulon Pike was born on January fifth, 1779, in Lamburton New Jersey. His father, whose name was also Zebulon Pike, was an offier of the United States army. He server under General George Washington. His father did not retire until after the Revolutionary War. Zebulon Pike joined the army in 1794. He married in 1801 and continued his military career. In 1805 his career was furthered when General James Wilkinson ordered Pike to find the source of the Mississippi River.His attempt was unseccssful, so he returned to St. Louis on April 30th 1806. Almost right when he got back from his previous mission he was again ordered to lead an expodition to find the headwaters of the Arkansas River and the Red River. On July 15th 1806 he led "The Pike Expodition" to explore the Southwest. But he was once again uncessful. He gave up after two days of walking in waist deep snow with hardly any food. And to make matters worse he and his men were arrested by Spanish athorities. First they took him to Santa Fe then they took him to Chihuahua where he met General Salcedo. Pike was hused at General Salcedo's house while he was under arrest. On July first, 1807 Pike was released to the U.S under protest. In 1807 he was promoted to coloneol and served as a deputy quartermaster-general, and inspector-general in the war of 1812. In 1813 he was premoted to brigadier general. On his last expodition he commanded troops to attack York Onterio in 1813. This expodition was however sucessful. But just when the mission was on the verg of being completed, Pike was killed by pieces of rock when a British Garrison exploded its amunation store. He died on April 27th 1813 at the age of 34.

Even though not all of Zebulon Pikes missions were sucessful, he will always be remembered. He led us into victory on the attack of York, Ontario. He also gave us information about maps on the Southwest and learned about Mexican discontent with Spanish rule, while he was staying at General Walkers house while he was under arrest. He had some great victories even though his life was brutally ended n his sucessful attack against York, Ontario. He was a wonderful military leaderand will be remembered for his wonderful  military epoditions.

Things that are named after Zebulon Pike:

• Pikesville, Maryland
• Pike County, Illinois
• Pike County, Kentucky
• Pike County, Missouri
• Pike County, India
• Pike County, Ohio
   
   
   
   
  Sources:
  Brainard, Rick. 18th Century History. www.history1700s.com/articles/article1152.shtml. 8/28/2007
  Klesinger, Bill. Zebulon M. Pike. http://klesinger.com/jbp/zpike.html. 8/28/2007
  Cutrer, Thomas. Hndbook of Texas. www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/PP/fpi19_print.html. 8/27/2007