"May Heaven be propitious, and smile on the cause of my country."Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Pike Quotes
50 FAMOUS QUOTES · SOLDIER
Zebulon Pike Quotes
Read Zebulon Pike quotes on duty, honour, exploration and country from the American explorer and soldier who gave his name to Pikes Peak (1779–1813).
"Should I be the happy mortal destined to turn the scale of war, will you not rejoice, O my father?"Zebulon Pike
DutyFamily
"Why cannot we correct the baneful passions, without weakening the good?"Zebulon Pike
CharacterWisdom
"He was a man, he always performed his promises."Zebulon Pike
IntegrityHonour
"In my proper character, I am an officer of the United States Army."Zebulon Pike
DutyIdentity
"I cannot consent to be led three or four hundred leagues out of my route, without its being by force of arms."Zebulon Pike
CourageDefiance
"You have already disarmed my men without my knowledge, are their arms to be returned or not?"Zebulon Pike
"If we go to Chihuahua we must be considered as prisoners of war?"Zebulon Pike
HistoryExploration
"I differ materially from Capt. Lewis, in my account of the numbers, manners, and morals of the Sioux."Zebulon Pike
ExplorationHistory
"At the lodge the chief gave me many particulars which were relative to the late visit of the Spaniards."Zebulon Pike
ExplorationDiplomacy
"The Spanish troops returned and we could yet discover the grass beaten down in the direction which they went."Zebulon Pike
ExplorationAdventure
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About Zebulon Pike
American - Soldier | January 5, 1779 - April 27, 1813
# Zebulon Pike Quotes
Zebulon Montgomery Pike was an American army officer and explorer, born on January 5, 1779, in Lamberton, New Jersey. The son of a soldier, he joined the army as a teenager. In 1805–1806 he led an expedition to find the source of the Mississippi River, and in 1806–1807 he led a second expedition into the southwest of the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. During that journey he sighted the Colorado mountain now called Pikes Peak, and he was later detained by Spanish forces in New Mexico and taken to Chihuahua before being released.
Pike's published journals gave Americans some of their first detailed accounts of the Great Plains and the Spanish Southwest. He rose to the rank of brigadier general and was killed on April 27, 1813, during the War of 1812, at the Battle of York (present-day Toronto). His quotes, mostly taken from his journals and letters, reflect duty, honour, loyalty to his country and the hardships of exploring unknown territory.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Zebulon Pike and these famous quotes.
Who was Zebulon Pike?
Zebulon Pike (1779–1813) was an American army officer and explorer who led early expeditions to the upper Mississippi River and the American Southwest. He died as a brigadier general in the War of 1812.
Is Pikes Peak named after Zebulon Pike?
Yes. Pikes Peak in Colorado is named after him. He sighted the mountain in November 1806 and tried to climb it, but deep snow forced his party to turn back, so he never reached the summit.
What happened on Zebulon Pike's southwest expedition?
In 1806–1807 Pike explored the southern Louisiana Territory, entered Spanish-held land, and was detained by Spanish authorities. He was taken to Chihuahua, questioned, and later released.
How did Zebulon Pike die?
He was killed on April 27, 1813, at the Battle of York in present-day Toronto, Canada, when a retreating British force blew up a powder magazine during the American attack.
What did Zebulon Pike write?
His expedition journals were published in 1810 and were among the first detailed American accounts of the Great Plains and the Spanish Southwest.