# Forward! March! explained — A Negro Explorer at the North Pole

> Chapter companion for A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson.

## What happens

The expedition departs from Cape Columbia on March 1, 1909, with Commander Peary's command 'Forward! March!' setting the tone. Captain Bartlett and George Borup lead the first teams, while the main party, including Peary, MacMillan, Goodsell, Marvin, Henson, and fourteen Eskimos with ninety-eight dogs, prepares to follow. Despite early injuries to Ooblooyah and Slocum, Henson and his team take the lead, marking the beginning of the arduous march toward the North Pole.

## Themes in this chapter

### Perseverance and Endurance

The chapter emphasizes the relentless forward march despite storms, injuries, and harsh conditions, showcasing the team's determination.

### Exploration and Discovery

The departure from Cape Columbia represents a critical step in the quest to reach the North Pole, a pinnacle of Arctic exploration.

## Character check-ins

### Commander Robert E. Peary

Issues the command 'Forward! March!' and leads the expedition; his sledge carries the flags to be broken out at the North Pole.

### Matthew Henson

Ordered to take the lead with his three Eskimo boys at half past six in the morning.

### Captain Bob Bartlett

Alert and attentive; sets sail with his crew Ooqueah, Pooadloonah, and Harrigan on February 28, 1909.

### George Borup

Acts as scout and keeps up the going for three days before returning to land for new supplies.

### Professor Donald B. MacMillan

Part of the party that stayed at Crane City until March 1.

### Professor Ross G. Marvin

Part of the party that stayed at Crane City until March 1.

## Key lines

> Forward! March!

Commander Peary gave the order to begin the march.

_This command signals the start of the expedition's final journey toward the North Pole._

> The dogs were double-fed and we put a good meal inside ourselves before turning-in on the night of February 28, 1909.

On the night before departure, both the dogs and the men were well-fed in preparation.

_Highlights the careful preparation and provisioning before the arduous journey._

> Already, difficulties had commenced. Ooblooyah and Slocum ... were incapacitated; Ooblooyah with a swelled knee, and Slocum with a frozen heel.

Even before the march began, two Eskimo team members were injured and unable to participate.

_Illustrates the immediate physical challenges and setbacks faced by the expedition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters