How far west did Hernando de soto travel?

Answer 1

To be 100 percent accurate one would have to examine all the different theories on where Hernando de Soto stepped foot and then compare it to the archaeological evidence at hand. I have personally discovered the only artifacts ever found in North America with this Spanish Explorer's name on them and the locations where they came from overwhelmingly support the Donald Sheppard Theory which in all honesty almost nails his entire route with the exception of the 1539 Landing that the State of Florida keeps the evidence of locked up tighter than Ft. Knox and even De Soto's own National Memorial is not authorized to honor the reason for their own existence, because Hernando may have actually landed along the Atlantic Ocean which the archaeological evidence tends to support the obscure Leverette Theory more than anything. What shocks me most of all about this eligible national historic trail that nobody wants to find even though De Soto Scholars all say they do, is how little people are concerned about actual historical truth. To the point of Congress allowing the EPA to dump De Soto's famous 1541 Discovery of the Mississippi River as portrayed in the Rotunda of our nation's capitol down some superfund toxic waste repository using federal funds without ever conducting the required archaeological surveys in a total violation of Sect. 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and every agency and bureau responsible for historic preservation knew about it years in advance and still they did nothing to save America's rich cultural heritage unimpaired or as advertised by the National Parks Service a.k.a. De Soto's National Memorial. The fact remains then that no matter where De Soto stepped foot it is nonetheless very important for our American History that the historical truth be told. Otherwise we keep on getting questions and answers based upon quite a few argumentative theories or gueses perhaps when all along the real truth behind it gets swept under the rug or stuck where the sun never shines officially. If only modern day De Soto socalled experts could take a page out of Dr. John R. Swanton's final report of the United States De Soto Commission or what have you, then for sure we would already have established a National Historic Trail to 16th Century America and signs would be posted as to which direction this long lost expedition really stepped foot in the north, east, south or west. If you truly want to get to the bottom of this I therefore suggest that you examine the De Soto Chronicles yourself as published by A gentleman of Elvas, Garcilaso de la Vega, and two gentleman named Biedma and or Ranjel who were Hernando's personal secretary and the factor to the King Charles V. Thank you for asking such a wonderful question, may historical truth finally be allowed to speak for itself and stop trying to cover up a National Memorial's Heritage anytime some government agency doesn't want we the people to know what exactly they are dumping in our own backyards or when Scholars have more to lose than could ever be possibly gained by rewritting the history books. It took quite a few years to find their way back to Spain after getting lost in today's TEXAS De Soto's followers finally made their way back to the Mississippi River and built boats to sail down to the Gulf of Mexico then followed the coast line down all the way to MEXICO and the closest Spanish Settlement at Panuco. No small wonder, Hernando actually discovered the Mississippi River in Illinois and crossed into what is now MISSOURI after coming up through Western Kentucky and finding the Ohio River. Given half a chance this can be verified by Archaeologists once Congress authorizes the National Parks Service and the applicable SHPO's State Historical Preservation Offices to start doing their jobs. I even have the endorsement from the Keeper of the National Historic Register urging us to present the evidence required, yet where did it go from there? This is something the State Archaeologist from Florida Dr. Ryan Wheeler needs to answer as far as a 1539 Landing goes officially, but it's no small wonder that Hernando almost bumped into his friend Coronado whose 16th Century Trail started from the West and went East as Soto started in the south headed north and then went east to west and back east then south. In 1542 De Soto died and was buried in the River he is said to have discovered as his army continued on their conquest or journey under a guy named Moscoso. Believe it or not, you should try holding De Soto in the palm of your hand and on the relics he left behind he tried to set the record straight by leaving markers and or messages on just about anything they could find to write on. Be it copper sheeting used to fashion crossbow tips out of or ordinary 16th Century utensils used to eat the food they had very little of. I'm no expert on the subject but I am the only person in the world to have ever discovered the guy in the new world to where he actually left things with names and dates. Principly the 1539 Landing, Reaching of the Ohio River, and the discovery of the Mississippi River as his army crossed into the Show Me State. With that in mind, show me a National Memorial that is authorized to care about their own heritage and then maybe someday we shall have a few verifiable answers to some simple questions over which way did he go? All it takes is two simple little words again... Welcome Home and may the FLBAR finally realize that 1539 means the same thing as their own First Winter Encampment that's already a state historical site and actual headquarters for the State Archaeologist and to spell the name right here goes... SOTO. How hard is that, eh? Thank you very much.

Answer 2

Texas :)