Kit Carson
Kit Carson
From 1826 to 1840s, he came to work as a trapper in the Rocky Mountains, he trapped beavers for the fur trade, and lived for long periods in remote wilderness conditions. Kit is even associated with famous trappers like Jim Bridger. In the 1830s, he lived around the native americans tribes and learned the language and the customs.
From 1842 to 1846, Christopher became a guide for John Fremont's expéditions, he played a key role in navigation and survival during expeditions. Then, from 1844 to 1845 he helped to explore and map California, Oregon, and the Great Basin; he gained national fame through published expedition reports. His image is popularized in newspapers and adventure stories. Moreover, from 1846 to 1848 he participated in the Mexican-American War and helped in the American conquest of California as a scout, courier, and military guide.
In the 1850s he was involved in conflicts with Native American tribes and ended up from 1863 to 1864 leading campaigns against the Navajo. In 1864 he was linked to the forced relocation “Long Walk of the Navajo”. This event causes major suffering and loss among the Navajo people.
Therefore, from 1861 to 1865 he served as Union officer during the American Civil War and fought mainly in the western territories. Then, in 1865 he held the rank of colonel. He was known for tracking, navigation, and survival skills, he even became a legendary figure during his lifetime.
In the late 1860s his health declined due to illness and past injuries and he suffered from an aneurysm. On the 23th May of 1868 he died in Colorado and was buried in Taos, New Mexico the same year.