Viewing the Oregon Trail from a Bison’s Perspective: The Struggles of Life in the Wild West

Narrating the experience of a bison on the Oregon Trail, I can say that my ancestors and I have enjoyed a peaceful life grazing on the lush prairie grass and drinking from clear streams and rivers in the vast expanse of the American West. Occasionally, local Indian tribes hunted us for food, but they used every part of our bodies, leaving nothing behind to waste.

However, in the mid-1800s, the arrival of wagon trains filled with people seeking a better life changed everything. The first encounter between my herd and the emigrants was on a scorching summer day when we saw a long line of white covered wagons pulled by strong oxen moving slowly across the rugged terrain. As the wagons approached, we saw that the people were exhausted, dirty, and dusty, and they had left behind furniture, wooden crates, and other items on the prairie.

It became apparent that many of them were inexperienced with the animals they relied on, resulting in wagons tipping over, animals going astray, and angry drivers. Although the emigrants were mostly white, some black settlers were also trying their luck out west, and many had wives and children with them. As a bison, I could see that the dreams of these emigrants would change our land forever.

Order custom essay Viewing the Oregon Trail from a Bison’s Perspective: The Struggles of Life in the Wild West with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

As the settlers stopped on our prairie to rest for the night, we saw one of their children had passed away. The mother wept, and the men silently buried the body with a simple wooden cross marking the grave. It was clear to us that disease and accidents were rampant along the Trail, taking many lives.

Observing them, it was evident that a large number of the emigrants lacked experience with the animals they depended on to lead them westward. Wagon accidents were common, and the animals often went in different directions than desired, frustrating the wagon drivers. The emigrants consisted primarily of white individuals, although a small number of black settlers were also attempting to make their fortune in the west. Some of the settlers traveled alone, while others were accompanied by their spouses. Although there were many children, a significant portion of the settlers fell within the age range of their twenties to forties.

What I learned was that they were seeking free land, better farming opportunities, and dreams of wealth through gold mining. Most of all, they wanted a chance to build a life of their own, far away from the high costs and difficulties of living in the east.

However, hunting became a terrifying experience for us. Unlike the Native Americans who hunted to sustain their lives, the settlers saw us as a means of profit. They coveted our hides, calling them "buffalo skins", and would ruthlessly shoot and kill as many of us as possible, leaving our carcasses to rot in the sun. Not only did they litter our environment with debris, they also hunted us without regard for our survival. Our once-safe prairie became a battleground between settlers, Native Americans, and hunters, leaving us struggling to find a place where we could live without fear.

The Oregon Trail forever changed our way of life. The settlers who passed through affected us for years to come, ultimately leading us to extinction in the wild. It was during those early days of the Oregon Trail that our world was destroyed and the modern American nation was truly created.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer