How many survivors were left at Garcitas Creek after the La Salle Expedition?

The correct answer is that there were five survivors left at Garcitas Creek after the La Salle Expedition. This tragic outcome reflects the harsh realities faced by early explorers in North America.

In 1685, La Salle's expedition aimed to establish a French colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River but faced numerous challenges, including hostile relations with indigenous groups, adverse weather conditions, and logistical difficulties. After establishing a settlement, known as Fort St. Louis, and subsequent conflicts, many members of the expedition were lost. The survivors were reduced to a handful as they navigated through a treacherous environment marked by conflict and scarcity.

The survival of only five individuals serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by explorers and the often-volatile interactions between European settlers and Native American tribes during this period in history. This historic event illuminates broader themes in U.S. history concerning colonization, survival, and the complexities of early encounters between different cultural groups.