What was the name of the fur trader who followed Lewis and Clark to the Oregon Territory?
In 1804 Charbonneau was interviewed to interpret Hidatsa for the Lewis and Clark expedition, but Lewis and Clark (esp. Clark) were not overly impressed with him. However, Sacagawea spoke Shoshone and Hidatsa, so they hired Charbonneau on November 4, and he and Sacagawea moved into Fort Mandan a week later. During the winter of 1805, Charbonneau’s and Sacagawea’s son Jean-Baptiste was born on February 11. At age 24, Charbonneau was the youngest member of the expedition. However, he did make several contributions to the success of the expedition. He was helpful when the expedition encountered French trappers from Canada. He served as a cook and his skill in striking a bargain came in handy.
