The Failed Hunt at Bois Perce

Fur trader Alexander Henry described a personal hunt that he took with J.B. Desmerais, a Metis hunter employed by the North West Company. The hunt took place near present-day Drayton, North Dakota, on the Minnesota side of the Red River in Marshall County:

"On approaching the Bois Perce, we found immense herds of buffalo, which appeared to touch the river and extend westward on the plains as far as the eye could reach. The meadows were alive with them. On the east side of the river we now for the first time saw buffalo; they appeared to be fully as many as there were on the west side. This is the first place we have found in coming up the river where the plain on that side comes down to the water and forms an open communication with that of the west side. It is from this circumstance that this spot derives its name of Bois Perce.  As we did not wish to raise the buffalo, we tied our horses on the spot where I wished my people to camp."

"Desmarais and I went after buffalo; we soon crawled within gunshot, and each opened fire in turn, keeping ourselves concealed as much as possible in the long grass. At every shot they would start, but did not appear inclined to run off. We both emptied our powder horns, and by that time several cows were down. Having no more ammunition we went to dress our cows; but the herd started and with them all our wounded cows—not one remained on the spot. We were mortified to have fired so many shots to no purpose. We came back to where we had left our horses, and found the canoes we were waiting for had just arrived."

From NEW LIGHT ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE GREATER NORTHWEST THE MANUSCRIPT JOURNALS OF ALEXANDER HENRY