Hugh Glass

Hugh Glass was an American frontiersman, fur trapper, and explorer. He lived during the early 19th century. His life is famous because of a legendary story of survival. He was left for dead after a grizzly bear attack. He managed to survive and travel a great distance alone. This story has inspired many books and films.

Much of Glass's early life remains a mystery. No official records exist regarding his exact origins. Most people believe he was born in Pennsylvania. He likely had Scotch-Irish parents. Some stories say he was captured by pirates near Texas in 1816. He may have been a pirate for two years. Other rumors suggest he lived with the Pawnee tribe for several years. These stories are difficult for historians to prove or disprove.

In 1822, General William Henry Ashley started a fur-trading venture. He placed an advertisement in the Missouri Gazette and Public Advertiser. He wanted 100 men to ascend the Missouri River. Many men who joined this group became famous mountain men. They were known as "Ashley's Hundred." Glass joined this expedition in 1823. In June of that year, the group faced attacks by Arikara warriors. Glass was shot in the leg during this conflict.

Later, Glass joined a party led by Andrew Henry. They were traveling toward the Yellowstone River. Near the Grand River in South Dakota, Glass went scouting for food. He accidentally disturbed a mother grizzly bear with two cubs. The bear attacked him with great force. It bit, slashed, and lacerated his flesh. The bear's attack caused severe wounds to his body.

A man named Hiram Allen described the terrible injuries Glass received.

The men in the party believed Glass would die. They carried him on a litter for two days. This slowed their travel speed significantly. Andrew Henry asked for two volunteers to stay with Glass. They were meant to wait until he died and then bury him. Two men, John Fitzgerald and a man called "Bridges," stepped forward. Instead of staying, they took Glass's rifle and knife. They fled the scene and later told the group that Glass was dead.

Glass regained consciousness and found himself alone. He had a broken leg and deep wounds. He used a bear skin as a shroud to keep warm. He set his own broken bone. To help his wounds, he allowed maggots to eat the dead flesh. This helped prevent gangrene, which is a dangerous infection. He used Thunder Butte as a landmark to find his way. He spent six weeks crawling and eating wild berries and roots.

Eventually, he built a raft and floated to Fort Kiowa.

After recovering, Glass sought out the men who abandoned him. He found Bridges and chose to forgive him. He also found Fitzgerald, who was in the U.S. Army. Glass did not kill Fitzgerald, but he did warn him. Glass later worked as a hunter for the U.S. Army at Fort Union. He continued his life as a trapper and trader. In 1833, Glass was killed during an attack by the Arikara on the Yellowstone River.

The story of Hugh Glass has become a major part of American culture. His life was the basis for the film *The Revenant* (2015). That film won three Academy Awards. Other books and poems have also told his story. A monument stands near the site of his mauling in South Dakota. There is also a life-size sculpture of the attack at the Grand River Museum.

His life shows the extreme challenges of the early American frontier.