Lewis Shot by Cruzatte

Photo:  Pierre Cruzatte, as portrayed by Daniel Slosberg, in a one-man show for schools, libraries, museums and historical sites throughout the country.  Photo by David Thompson.

On August 11, 1806, Pierre Cruzatte and Captain Lewis went hunting for some elk in the area of the “burnt hills” (today known as Crow Hills in northwestern North Dakota).

Just as Lewis as about to fire upon an elk, a bullet struck him through the left thigh about an inch below his hip bone. Lewis was dressed in brown leather, and Cruzatte’s, having poor eye sight, had mistaken the Captain for an elk.

Lewis initially believed he was shot by Natives and that Cruzatte had fallen into their hands. He made his way back to the pirogue and his men took off looking for Cruzatte. When they returned and reported no Indians in the vicinity, it became clear that Cruzatte was the one who fired upon the Captain, even though he continued to deny it.

Sergeant Gass assisted Lewis with treating the entrance and exit wounds by stuffing the holes with lint. Lewis spent much of the next few weeks riding in the pirogue flat on his stomach. Fortunately, the wounds healed without significant infection.