- De Soto in Georgia State Historical
Marker
- Located on the Riverwalk along the Savannah River
near 8th St. in Augusta
(Text)
- DE SOTO IN GEORGIA
In May 1539 Hernando de Soto landed in
Florida with over 600 people, 220 horses and mules, and a herd
of swine reserved for famine. Fired by his success in Pizarro's
conquest of Peru, De Soto had been granted the rights, by the
King of Spain, to explore, then govern, southeastern North America.
After wintering in Tallahassee, the De
Soto expedition set out on a quest for gold which eventually
spanned four years and crossed portions of nine states. This
was the first recorded European exploration of the interior of
the Southeast. Over 300 members died on the expedition, including
De Soto in 1542. This tremendous effort forever changed the lives
of the Indians who were infected with old world diseases, killed
in battle, enslaved made destitute and sometimes befriended.
Many scholars believe that the De Soto
expedition crossed the Savannah River in this general area, April
17, 1540. The Spanish crossed the swift river where it was divided
by an island and moved into South Carolina. Forty foot soldiers
tied themselves together and crossed safely in water that reached
up to the saddlebags of the cavalry's horses.
- 121-50 GEORGIA HISTORIC
MARKER 1990
-
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