The Buffalo Last Stand: Retta Barre's Odyssey on the Oregon Trail

By Retta Barre

In the annals of American history, the Oregon Trail stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dared to venture westward in search of a new life. Among those who made the arduous journey was Retta Barre, a young woman whose experiences on the trail would forever alter the course of her life.

Barre’s story is one of courage, resilience, and a deep love for the American West. Born in 1838 in Illinois, she grew up in a family of farmers. At a young age, Barre developed a fascination with the stories of those who had traveled the Oregon Trail. She dreamed of one day making the journey herself, and in 1853, at the age of 15, she convinced her family to join a wagon train heading west.

The Buffalo's Last Stand (Retta Barre's Oregon Trail Book 2)

by Evi Poxleitner

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1315 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	132 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Barre family’s journey began in Missouri, and from the outset, it was fraught with challenges. The trail was rough and unforgiving, and the travelers faced constant threats from disease, starvation, and Indian attacks. Barre herself fell ill with cholera, but she refused to give up. She nursed herself back to health and continued on, determined to reach her destination.

As the wagon train made its way across the Great Plains, Barre witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that westward expansion was having on the buffalo population. The animals were being slaughtered in droves by hunters, and their numbers were dwindling rapidly. Barre was deeply saddened by what she saw, and she began to document the decline of the buffalo in her diary.

In 1854, the Barre family reached the Willamette Valley in Oregon. They settled down on a farm, and Barre began to build a new life for herself. She married a local farmer, and together they raised a family. However, Barre never forgot the buffalo she had seen on the trail. She continued to write about their plight, and she became an advocate for their protection.

In 1879, Barre published her diary, “The Buffalo Last Stand.” The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the plight of the buffalo. Barre’s work inspired others to take up the cause of buffalo conservation, and she is credited with playing a major role in saving the species from extinction.

“The Buffalo Last Stand” is a powerful and moving account of one woman’s journey on the Oregon Trail. It is a story of courage, resilience, and a deep love for the American West. Barre’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, Western history, Native American history, or environmental history.

About the Author

Retta Barre was born in Illinois in 1838. She traveled the Oregon Trail in 1853, and her experiences on the trail inspired her to write “The Buffalo Last Stand.” Barre was a passionate advocate for buffalo conservation, and her work helped to save the species from extinction. She died in Oregon in 1912.

Additional Resources

* [The Buffalo Last Stand](https://www.Our Book Library.com/Buffalo-Last-Stand-Retta-Barre/dp/0803287802) by Retta Barre * [The Oregon Trail](https://www.nps.gov/oreg/index.htm) National Park Service * [The Buffalo](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/b/bison/) National Geographic

The Buffalo's Last Stand (Retta Barre's Oregon Trail Book 2)

by Evi Poxleitner

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1315 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	132 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE