-
St. Louis, Missouri
"we Set out at 6 oclock A m plesent day. . . .we pased the tavern or Cave a noted place on the South Side of the River 120 Long 20 feet in Debth 40 feet purpendickler on the South Side of the River high Cliftes"
- Charles Floyd Meriwether Lewis joined up with the rest of the Corps of Discovery at this location. The Corps then offically set off on its expedition. William Clark stated in his journal that they traveled 9 miles that day. -
Death of Charles Floyd
Near the place that is now known as Sioux City, Iowa Sergeant Charles Floyd died of a burst appendix. He was the expedition's first casualty, and the first American soldier to die west of Mississippi. He was buried on a hilltop, which was named Floyd's Bluff in rememberence of Charles Floyd. -
Council with Yankton Sioux
Near what is now Yankton, South Dakota the Expedition met and held a friendly council with the Yankton Sioux Tribe. The council included dancing, feasting, and contests. The Yankton were an impoverished people without guns, so they were eager to begin trading with the Americans. "On landing I was receved on a elegent painted B. Robe & taken to the Village by 6 Men & was not permited to touch the ground untill I was put down in the grand Concill house on a White dressed Robe."
- William Clark -
Birth of Jean Baptiste
Sacajawea acted as an interpreter for the Corps of Discovery. She had her first baby in Fort Mandan which is located north of what is now Bismark, North Dakota. Lewis recorded in his journal that a certain Mr. Jessome administered two rings of a rattlesnake's tail to Sacajawea to help speed the delivery. "about five Oclock this evening one of the wives of Charbono was delivered of a fine boy. . ."
- Meriwether Lewis -
First Encounter with a Grizzly Bear
Near the Yellowstone river, Lewis and another hunter kill the first grizzly bear ever seen by white men. The bear chased them about 70 yds. before they could kill it. Lewis was surprised by its endurance, but did not seem disturbed. ". . the Indians may well fear this anamal equiped as they generally are with their bows and arrows or indifferent fuzees, but in the hands of skillfull riflemen they are by no means as formidable or dangerous as they have been represented. ..."
- Meriwether Lewis -
Meeting with Shoshone Tribe
The Expedition needed horses in order to cross the Rocky Mountains. Lewis and a small party of men went ahead of the Corps to meet with the Lemhi Shoshone people. Lewis used gifts and sign language to assure the Shoshone that they came in peace. When Clark and the rest of the Corps joined up with Lewis, Sacajawea recognized that the chief of the tribe was her brother. Negotiations went very well, and Lewis and Clark named the location Camp Fortunate. -
Friendly Trade with Ootlashoots
While passing through the Bitterroot Mountains, the Corps stumbled upon the native Ootlashoots. They traded seven of their horses and ". . a fiew articles of merchendize. . ." (William Clark) for eleven of the indians' steeds. Though the trade was peaceful, the explorers had difficulty communicating with the Native Americans. According to John Ordway "these natives have the Stranges language of any we have ever yet seen. . ." -
Nez Perce Befriend the Corps of Discovery
After the terrible trek over the Bitterroot Mountains, the Corps of Discovery was in great need of food. The local Nez Perce were wary of the strangers that had just arrived in their homeland. But they decided to help them on the advice of an old woman named Watkuweis. The travelers were fed cama roots and salmon. In their journals some of the men complain that they feel ill after gorging themselves. -
The Nez Perce Assist the Corps
Though many of the explorers were still sick, the Corps began to build canoes to finish the voyage. However the mens' tools and methods proved ineffectual. The Nez Perce indians assisted them by teaching them how to burn out logs to create canoes. "All the men are now able to work; but the greater number are very weak. . we have adopted the Indian method of burning out the canoes."
- Patrick Gass -
William Clark Gets Sick
William Clark was sick for ten to twelve days. All of the men on the expedition started the jouney in very good health. On the return journey the men stuggled with weakness and many illnesses, such as: dysentery, malaria, fevers etc. "I am verry sick all night, Pane in Stomach & the bowels oweing to my diet"
-William Clark -
Canoes are Launched in Orofino, Idaho
The Nez Perce helped the Corps build canoes so they could complete the rest of their journey by water. The canoes were finished by Otober 6th and the expedition was ready to proceed. On October 7th the canoes were launched. "In the evening, in passing through a rapid, I had my canoe stove, and she sunk. Fortunately the water was not more than waist deep, so our lives and baggage were saved, though the latter was wet."
-Patrick Gass -
Christmass At Clatsop Fort
After finally reaching the Pacific Ocean, the Corps voted to decide where they should spend the winter. They built Fort Clatsop near modern-day Astoria, Oregon. It is here that they celebrated Christmass, far away from their homes. The Captains handed out handkerchiefs and the last of tha tobacco for presents. -
Rainy Winter At Clatsop Fort
The winter at Fort Clatsop was very dreary for the Corps. Only twelve days passed during which it did not rain. Many of the men, including Lewis, expressed homesickness in their journals. -
Blackfoot Indians are Killed
On the return trip to the Missouri River, Lewis saw eight Blackfoot warriors. On the next morning the exporers discover the Blackfeet trying to steal their horses and guns. Two Blackfeet were killed during the skirmish that followed. This was the only act of bloodshed that took place during the expedition. "...Drewyer and myself. J. Fields seeing this turned about to look for his gun and saw the fellow just runing off... he called to his brother who instantly jumped up and pursued..."
- Lewis
