1541: Westward Hernando de Soto

discovery of mississippi william h. powell (1823–1879) romantic depiction of de soto seeing mississippi river first time. hangs in united states capitol rotunda.

in spring of 1541, de soto demanded 200 men porters chickasaw. refused demand , attacked spanish camp during night. spaniards lost 40 men , remainder of limited equipment. according participating chroniclers, expedition have been destroyed @ point, chickasaw let them go.

on may 8, 1541, de soto s troops reached mississippi river.

de soto had little interest in river, in view obstacle mission. there has been considerable research exact location de soto crossed mississippi river. commission appointed franklin d. roosevelt in 1935 determined sunflower landing, mississippi crossing place. de soto , men spent month building flatboats, , crossed river @ night avoid native americans patrolling river. de soto had hostile relations native people in area.

in late 20th century, research suggests other locations may have been site of de soto s crossing, including 3 locations in mississippi: commerce, friars point, , walls, memphis, tennessee. once across river, expedition continued traveling westward through modern-day arkansas, oklahoma, , texas. wintered in autiamique, on arkansas river.

in 1541, expedition became first europeans recorded seeing native americans referred valley of vapors, called hot springs, arkansas. members of many tribes had gathered @ valley on many years enjoy healing properties of thermal springs. tribes had developed agreements put aside weapons , partake of healing waters in peace while in valley. de soto , men stayed long enough claim area spain.

after harsh winter, spanish expedition decamped , moved on more erratically. interpreter juan ortiz had died, making more difficult them directions , food sources, , communicate natives. expedition went far inland caddo river, clashed native american tribe called tula in october 1541. spaniards characterized them skilled , dangerous warriors had encountered. may have happened in area of present-day caddo gap, arkansas (a monument de soto expedition erected in community). eventually, spaniards returned mississippi river.