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The Death of the Buffalo East of the Mississippi

Edgar Hayes

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Published in The Long Hunt: Death Of The Buffalo East Of The Mississippi

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The American bison, also known as the buffalo, is an iconic symbol of the North American wilderness. Once numbering in the tens of millions, the bison roamed the Great Plains in vast herds, providing sustenance and cultural significance to Native American tribes. However, by the end of the 19th century, the bison population in the eastern United States had been decimated, with only a few small, isolated herds remaining.

The Long Hunt: Death of the Buffalo East of the Mississippi

by Ted Franklin Belue

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The near-extermination of the bison east of the Mississippi River was a complex process that involved a number of factors, including overhunting, habitat loss, and disease. Overhunting was the most significant factor, as bison were hunted for their meat, hides, and horns. Commercial hunting reached its peak in the 1870s, when thousands of bison were killed each year. By the late 1880s, the bison population east of the Mississippi River had been reduced to a few hundred animals.

Habitat loss was another major factor that contributed to the decline of the bison population. As European settlers moved westward, they cleared land for agriculture and development, destroying the bison's natural habitat. The bison were also forced to compete with domestic livestock for grazing land. As a result, the bison's range was reduced to a fraction of its former size.

Disease also played a role in the decline of the bison population. In the 1840s, a disease known as "the pleuropneumonia" swept through the bison herds, killing millions of animals. The disease was introduced by domestic cattle, and it quickly spread through the bison population, devastating herds from the Great Plains to the eastern forests.

The death of the buffalo east of the Mississippi River had a profound impact on both the Native American tribes and the ecosystem. For Native Americans, the bison was a source of food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual significance. The loss of the bison herds had a devastating impact on Native American cultures and economies. The decline of the bison also had a ripple effect on the ecosystem, as bison grazing helped to maintain the health of the prairie grasslands.

Today, the American bison is a protected species, and its population has rebounded to over 500,000 animals. However, the bison's range is still a fraction of its former size, and the species continues to face threats from habitat loss and disease. The story of the death of the buffalo east of the Mississippi River is a reminder of the fragility of our natural heritage and the importance of conservation.