Daniel Boone had 31 axe men with him when he was chosen to lead a party to clear a path through the Cumberland Gap in 1775.
The Historic Wilderness Road Expedition
In 1775, Richard Henderson, the founder of the Transylvania Company, selected Daniel Boone to spearhead a pivotal expedition. The goal was to clear a vital pathway for westward expansion, which would ultimately become known as the Wilderness Road. This ambitious undertaking aimed to create a direct route from the established settlements into the rich lands of Kentucky.
Purpose and Route of the Journey
Boone's party of axe men was specifically tasked with trailblazing a path through the challenging terrain of the Cumberland Gap. This effort was crucial for the Transylvania Company's plans to open up Kentucky for settlement and establish Fort Boonesborough.
Here are the key details of this significant expedition:
- Leader: Daniel Boone
- Number of Men: 31 axe men
- Commissioned By: Richard Henderson, on behalf of the Transylvania Company
- Objective: To clear a traversable path through the Cumberland Gap, establishing the Wilderness Road
- Route: The path began at Long Island of the Holston River in Tennessee and extended all the way to Otter Creek of the Kentucky River.
This expedition laid the groundwork for thousands of settlers to follow, significantly impacting the westward expansion of the United States.
