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Starting Point
Lewis and ClarkThe expedition set off from St. Louis, Missouri. There were roughly four dozen men going on this great journey. They had to bring along many supplies including numerous boats. -
First Casualty
Sergeant Charles Floyd died in Sioux City, Iowa. This was the very first casualty of the expedition. They believe that he died from a burst appendix. He was the first US soldier to die on the west side of the Mississippi River. Before he died, this is what he said to Clark, "I am going away I want you to write me a letter." -
Sioux Tribe
Met a tribe of Indians who wanted some of their boats but the Chief resolved it without fighting. About a month before this encounter they had met some very friendly Sioux Indians. At the time they were near Yakton, South Dakota. -
Fort Mandan
Fort MandanThe expedition came across earth-lodge villages of the Mandan Indians near what is now Bismark, North Dakota. They built this fort in honor of the Mandan Indian tribe; because of the Indians kindness, they built the fort so they could stay with them longer. It is located across the river from the villages. -
Shoshone Indians
They made friends with the Shoshone Indians. The brave woman Sacajawea was a Shoshone Indian. On this day they met her husband and hired him as their guide although, it was Sacajawea who was the most helpful. They were in need of horses and they heard that the Shoshone had some, so they thought she would be very helpful. -
Sacajawea's Baby
Sacajawea has a baby boy! She names him Jean Babtiste. Clark helped with the delivery and used the crushed rattle of a rattlesnake to speed up the delivery. -
Grizzly Bear Encounter
On this day they hunted a huge Grizzly bear with some Indians and killed it. It was past the Yellowstone River and it was the first grizzly that was described for science. They found that the grizzlies were very fierce and even got treed by one. -
Illness
SacajaweaWhile they were near Missouri, Sacajawea got very ill. She would not accept any medicine. Clark made a mixture for her problem and it helped some. -
Shoshone horses
They met with the Shoshone Indians because they were in great need of horses. They needed them so that they could cross all of the mountains. Sacajawea was there to translate for them and it turned out the Shoshone's chief was her brother so they got the horses. -
Idaho
Near Idaho they found the source of the Missouri River. In Idaho they faced the Bitterroot Mountains. At the time they had little food and were freezing. The mountains were covered with mounds of snow, so it greatly extended the amount of time it took them to get through the massive perils. -
Nez Percé
The date is not known but it was in late September when the expedition met the Nez Percé tribe. The Indians befriended them and gave them food. They even showed them an easier way to hollow out pine trees to make canoes. -
Fort Clatsop
It is Christmas day and they are far from home. They built a fort and named it after a nearby indian tribe. They gave out gifts of handkerchiefs and tobacco. -
Blackfeet Warriors
They ran across 8 Blackfeet Warriors on their way back to Missouri. They set up a camp with them but in the morning they caught them trying to steal their horses and guns. Two of the Blackfeet got killed. That was the only time of bloodshed during the whole expedition.