ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Set in 1819, the narrative chronicles a challenging two-year US Army expedition led by Major Stephen H. Long to explore the uncharted Midwest and Rocky Mountains. Edwin James, the expedition's botanist, geologist, and surgeon, provides a vivid historical account of their encounters with Sioux and Cheyenne tribes, as well as the natural obstacles they faced. Despite some missteps, such as mistaking the Canada River for the Red, the expedition achieved significant milestones, including the discovery of present-day Denver and Long's Peak, marking a pivotal moment in the exploration of the American West.