The expedition unraveled rapidly. Despite an impressive force of some 600 soldiers and a nearly equal number of horses, the group's progress slowed, and the distance between Santa Fe and the American border seemed to lengthen. A mutiny, significant loss of livestock and Indian raids nearly doomed Lt. Don Facundo Malgares' trip. But despite being depleted by the strenuous journey, Malgares reached his objective — a small ragtag group of Americans led by an explorer named Zebulon M. Pike.

Perhaps best known today for the peak in Colorado that bares his name, Lt. Pike explored and recorded much of the Spanish-owned Southwest for the United States in 1805 and 1807. A gifted soldier, Pike died at the young age of 34 during the War of 1812. He had spent his entire adulthood in the American Army.

Pike also had the misfortune of exploring large sections of North America just as other American navigators were taking an even more impressive jaunt through the Louisiana Territory and all the way to the Pacific. Like Pike, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out to explore the West under the directives of President Thomas Jefferson and for the explicit purpose of charting the resources that would fuel the new "Empire of Liberty."

The Spanish authorities had heard of Pike's plans long before he reached Santa Fe, and in 1807, Pike was taken prisoner by Malgares' forces. Fortunately for Pike, his guards were more akin to guides who took him as a willing guest throughout New Mexico. Lewis and Clark may have had a splendid lead in Sacagawea, but Pike received a full tour.

He was escorted all the way to Santa Fe where both the governor of New Mexico and a small crowd awaited him. The reception embarrassed the weary Pike. After months on trail over mountain and plains, Pike must have appeared exhausted. Worse yet for the career soldier, his uniform had long ago been replaced with moccasins, blankets and fox fur. Pike did not make a reputable appearance for formal court.

After marching through Tesuque and south into the capital, Pike found Santa Fe to be a strange sight. Of the city, he wrote in his journal:

"Its appears [sic] from a distance, struck my mind with the same effect as a fleet of the flat bottomed boats, which are seen in the spring and fall seasons, descending the Ohio River. There are two churches, the magnificence of whose steeples form a striking contrast to the miserable appearances of the houses. ... The public square is in the centre of the town; on the north side of which is situated the palace (as they term it) or government house."

As Pike was walked through some of the buildings, he probably found less cause to be embarrassed by his own dress as he spotted buffalo, bear and other animal skins filling some of the chambers. Pike's appearance then caused him little problem, but his reputation as a spy did.

Ironically enough, Pike earned his traitorous label through his affiliation with Gen. James Wilkinson, a Spanish mole. Wilkinson was being paid by the Spanish for information at the same time he was one of the highest-ranking American soldiers. Wilkinson also had a much-discussed relationship with the fallen politician Aaron Burr. It was widely claimed
that the two had hatched a plot to take a large chunk of Spanish land and found their own nation. The governor of New Mexico was likely concerned that Pike was conducting reconnaissance for the Burr-Wilkinson plot.

Pike was not entirely forthcoming with Gov. Joaquín de Real Alencaster and underreported the number in his party by one Dr. J.H. Robinson. Unfortunately for Pike, Robinson had already spoken with the Spanish and given them a different head count. Even more damning in the governor's opinion were the papers he confiscated from Pike's trunk.

Alencaster wanted the Americans investigated further so he ordered them to Chihuahua, Mexico, where they would meet with other Spanish officials for questioning. Pike protested, but ultimately joined a
number of locals as they headed south through New Spain toward Chihuahua. Despite guards and the denial of his prized journal, Pike still had opportunity to see much of the country, including Albuquerque, El Paso and the many native communities along the way.

At Chihuahua, Pike relinquished many of his notes but faced no formal prosecution from the government of New Spain. His notes would stay in Mexico for a century before being rediscovered and returned to the United States. Pike immediately went back to the United States, dropped off by the Spanish at the American border in Louisiana.

Despite being insulted by the Spanish, Pike still managed to enjoy his time in New Spain. He interacted with people who entertained him and saw unique places. Once back in the United States, in fact, Pike devoted much of his time to sharing these memories with other Americans as he edited his journals for publication. His efforts paid off, and the journals were published in 1810 making Pike into an even greater celebrity.

He stayed in the Army until his death during the War of 1812 just a few years later. Along the way, he received numerous postings at a handful of forts, one of America's most visible soldiers.

Although he never reached the level of fame attained by Lewis and Clark, Pike had enjoyed his time in the spotlight. His journal, in fact, made it to print before that of Lewis and Clark. Had he lived, Pike might even have joined William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson as extremely successful veterans of the War of 1812. As it happened, Pike was buried in upstate New York, where he remains despite a campaign in Colorado to have his remains sent to be reinterred near Pike's Peak.

Jason Strykowski is a doctoral student at The University of New Mexico.