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Starting Point
Lewis & Clark started the journey knowing nothing about the west. The trip began in St. Louis, Missouri. They traveled in one large boat and two smaller ones. There were almost 48 people on the trip. Accordingt to Clark ,it was a "cloudy morning, fixing for a Start. Some provisions on examination is found to be wet." -
First causality
Sergeant Charles Floyd dies from what is believed to be a burst appendix. Ordway said, " Sergt. Charles Floyd expired directly after we halted a little past the middle of the day." He was buried in the area near Sioux City, Iowa. There is an obelisk at the spot. -
Experience with a Sioux Tribe
The Lewis and Clark Expedition met the friendly Yanton, Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Lewis and Clark give the Native Americans many gifts. According to Clark, "To the Grand Chief we gave a Flag and the parole [NB: (certificate) wampom with a hat and a Chiefs Coat" They promise peace, as long as they are not attacked. -
Experience at Fort Mandan
Fort Mandan became Lewis and Clark's winter camp. Many Indians came to trade with the expedition. On December 23rd, Clark says that it was “a fine Day. Great numbers of Indians of all descriptions came to the fort many of them bringing Corn to trade.” -
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Winter at Fort Mandan
Winter at Mandan
Lewis and Clark spent the winter with the Mandan. They traded, hunted, repaired equipment and learned about the area from the Indians. They also hired Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea to be interpreters. They sent 108 plant samples and 68 minerals back to President Jefferson. -
A baby is born
Sacagawea gave birth to her son at Fort Mandan, North Dakota. This was the winter camp for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.Her son's name was Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Sacagewea was married to a French fur trapper. -
A spot where an animal profoundly affected the expedition
When the expedition enters Montana, they see massive herds of bison. John Ordway said that the animals were so tame that
“that some of the party clubbed them out of their way.” This provided lots of food for the expedition. It was reported that they were eating nine pounds of bison a day. -
A spot where a member becomes sick
Sacagawea gets very sick for a week. She has a fever, weak pulse, short breath and can barely move. Many believe that she will die. Lewis treats her with bark and opium. She is also given water from a mineral spring. Clark said, “I found that two dozes of barks and opium which I had given her since my arrival had produced an alteration in her pulse for the better; they were now much fuller and more regular. I caused her to drink the mineral water altogether.” Her health improved. -
Experience with the Shoshone Tribe
Lewis and Clark wanted to trade a local tribe for horses. It is soon learned that the chief is Sacagawea's bothers. The experience with the Shoshone Tribe was a joyful time for Sacagawea. It gave the whole expedition hope, because they knew they were getting closer to the end. According to Lewis, "the meeting of those people was really affecting, particularly between Sah cah-gar-we-ah and an Indian woman. -
Peaceful Trade
Lewis and Clark set off from the Shoshone Tribe with horses, a mule, and a guide. Lewis said, “ I exposed some articles to barter with the Indians for horses as I wished a few at this moment to releive the men who were going with Capt Clark from the labour of carrying their baggage and also one to keep here in order to pack the meat to camp which the hunters might kill.” The Shoshone received guns in exchange. Sacagewea helped translate between the Shoshone and the expedition during the trade. -
An experience that occurred in present day Idaho
The expedition crosses the mountains into Idaho. During this time, the snow begins to fall and the men start running out food. They end up eating a horse to survive. According to Ordway, they “proceeded on half starved and very weak.” It took them 11 days to get through the mountains. -
A spot where the expedition was significantly aided by the help of a native tribe
After a horrible trip over the Bitterroot Mountains, the expedition is starving and cold. They are met by Nez Perce Indians that help them. According to Clark, the Nez Perce “gave us some broiled dried Salmon to eate.” The men are able to eat salmon, which makes them sick because they ate so much -
A spot where a plant or tree profoundly affected the expedition
The Nez Perce teach the expedition how to create their own canoes from hollow logs. Ordway talks about how “Capt. Clark went with an old chief down the River to look for timber which would answer for canoes.” The journals note that the Nez Perce had several canoes in camp. The expedition is able to float down the river in their new canoes. The wood from the trees profoundly impacts the movement of the group. -
spot where weather profoundly influences the expedition
Lewis and Clark believe they are at the ocean, only to learn that they are still 20 miles away. Storms force them to stay in there location for weeks. They experienced rolling water and high winds. Clark said it was “the most disagreeable time I have experienced.” -
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Winter at Fort Clatsop
Winter on the PacificLewis and Clark spent the winter at Fort Clatsop. They made moccasins and other clothing, updated their journals, and worked on maps. It rained most of their days there. -
An experience at Fort Clatsop
The expedition celebrates Christmas at Fort Clatsop. The fort was named after a local Native American tribe. The captains reportedly give handkerchiefs and tobacco as gifts.Ordway said “hey divided out the last of their tobacco among the men that used and the rest they gave each a Silk hankerchief, as a Christmast gift, to keep us in remembrence of it as we have no ardent Spirits, but are all in good health which we esteem more than all the ardent Spirits in the world. “ -
An incident where someone from the expedition killed a person from a native tribe
The expedition caught Blackfoot Indians trying to steal their horses and weapons. The fight results in two Native Americans dying. Lewis talks about how “I called to them as I had done several times before that I would shoot them if they did not give me my horse and raised my gun, one of them jumped behind a rock and spoke to the other who turned around and stoped at the distance of 30 steps from me and I shot him through the belly” This was the only time there was a fight during the trip
