Nothing in Comparison

Alexander Henry the Younger was born in 1765 and joined the North West Company in 1792. Henry was an astute naturalist. His descriptions of Plains bison are among the most valuable ecological records from the era. He noted their migration, wallowing habits, and the techniques Indigenous hunters used to pursue them. In 1799 through 1807, he was assigned to the lands west of Lake Superior in present day North Dakota and southern Manitoba and soon distinguished himself not only as a capable trader but also as a meticulous chronicler of daily events.  At his trading post near the confluence of the Red and Park Rivers in North Dakota, he wrote that

“… at daybreak I was awoke by the bellowing of the Buffalo. I got up, and climbed into the South West Bastion, when I was astonished. On my right hand the plains were black and covered, and appeared as if in motion, passing from South to North… and on my left to the utmost extent of the reach below us the river was covered with Buffalo, of all sizes and all moving to the Northward… the Buffalo [passed] within 60 paces of the Stockades. They made a great noise as they moved on. I dressed myself and climbed up my Oak Tree to have a more complete view. My astonishment was more increased. I had supposed I had seen incredible numbers of Buffalo in the fall coming up, but they were nothing in comparison to what I now beheld. The ground was perfectly covered in every direction of the compass, as far as the Eye could penetrate in the wood, and see over the plains, and every one [of them] in motion. “

Alexander Henry the Younger
January 14, 1801