Zebulon M. Pike

Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1778-1813) - Born 5 Jan 1779 in Lamberton, New Jersey. A career U.S. Army officer and explorer who served in, and died during, the War of 1812. Died 27 Apr 1813, York, Ontario, Upper Canada.

Zebulon M. Pike was the son of a U.S. Army officer who served in the Revolutionary War. He joined his father's regiment at age 15 as a Cadet in 1794. He advance to Ensign and 1st Lt. in 1799 and Captain in 1806. Most of his early service was on the frontier in Ohio and the midwest.

Pike's first western expedition in 1805 was to find the source of the Mississippi River. In 1806 he was sent to map the Red River and the Arkansas River, he ended up at Pikes Stockade in present day south central Colorado. It was during this stop that he discovered Pike's Peak and tried to climb it. He was detained here by Spanish authorities, taken to Santa Fe and then to Chihauhua before being released on the Louisiana border 1 Jul 1807. Some of his men were held for years.

General Pike was killed at the Battle of York during the War of 1812 when the powder magazine at Fort York was detonated by the retreating British troops. He was killed by stones and debris from the explosion. His remains were returned to Sackets Harbor and buried in the Madison Barracks post cemetery. In 1909, his remains are thought to have been moved to Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery in Sackets Harbor where a memorial marks the spot.

Fort Pike (2) at Madison Barracks in Sacket's Harbor and Fort Pike (1) in Louisiana were named in his honor.

Father: Zebulon Pike (1751-1834)

Mother: Isabella Brown (1753-1809)

Marriage:
 * Clarissa Harlow Brown (1782-1847) married 1 Mar 1801, born 1782, died 13 Apr 1847

Children:
 * Unknown Pike (1802-1805)
 * Clarissa Brown Pike (1803-1837) born 24 Feb 1803, died 1 Feb 1837
 * Infant Son Pike (1804-1804)
 * Mary Jane Pike (1805-????) born 22 Jul 1805, died 27 May ????
 * Lydia Hays Pike (1807-1860) born 1807, died Jul 1860

Assignments: Personal Description:
 * Cadet (1794) 3rd U.S. Infantry
 * Ensign (3 Mar 1799) 2nd U.S. Infantry
 * 1st Lt. (1 Nov 1799) 2nd U.S. Infantry
 * (1805-1806) 1st. Lt. 1st U.S. Infantry, On expedition to find the source of Mississippi River
 * (1806-1807) Capt. (12 Aug 1806), 1st U.S. Infantry, On expedition to find the source of Red River and Arkansas River
 * Maj. (2 May 1808) 6th U.S. Infantry
 * (1809-1810) Lt. Col. (31 Dec 1809) 4th U.S. Infantry, Military Agent in New Orleans
 * (1812-1812) Col. (6 Jul 1812) 15th U.S. Infantry, Deputy Quartermaster General of the Army
 * (1812-1813) Brig. Gen. (12 Mar 1813), Inspector General and Adjutant General of the Army
 * (27 Apr 1813) Killed at the Battle of York
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Sources:
 * Wikipedia - Zebulon Montgomery Pike
 * Texas Handbook On Line - Zebulon M. Pike