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The Beginning- St. Louis, Missouri
Before beginning their journey, Lewis and Clark attend ceremonies concerning the very recent Louisiana Purchase. They attend the ceremonies in St. Louis, and just a few days later, the men begin their expedition. They start their journey in a keelboat that was previously built. The boat was roughly 55 ft long and easily held the nearly-four-dozen men who began the journey with Lewis and Clark. -
The First Casualty
Sergeant Charles Floyd became the expedition's first casualty in August of 1804 in Sioux City, Iowa. Though diagnosed by Lewis and Clark to have bilious cholic, modern medical historians have concluded that Floyd was killed by a raptured appendix. Explorers named a hilltop and a nearby stream after him in his honor. -
Meeting the Mandans
While searching for a place to stay for the winter, the travelers came across a group who called themselves the Mandan Tribe. These Indians lived in mud huts and were very peaceful people. William Clark wrote in his journal concerning the Mandans: "The Mandans are at war with all who make war only, and wish to be at peace with all nations, Seldom the ogressors." (Clark, 1804.) The explorers built their fort across the river from these Indians and named it "Fort Mandan". -
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The Stay at Fort Mandan
The expedition spent six months in Fort Mandan. During their stay, they met Sacagawea, who would accompany them on their journey towards the Pacific. -
A Big Trade
This day was recorded by several of the men on the expedition for its successful trading. On this day, many of the Mandans came with their goods to trade. It is recorded that the men traded simple things such as old shirts, knives, awls, glasses, beads, and buttons. In turn, they received corn, beans, and moccasins. -
The Cons of Cold Weather
After a Mandan Indian man and his son had not returned from a hunt the day before, the Mandans began to believe that they had frozen to death. Shortly afterwards, the son returned to camp with extremely frostbitten feet. Lewis eventually had to amputate many of his toes do the extremity of his injuries. -
The Birth of Jean Baptiste
On the Sacagawea Golden Dollar, Sacagawea is shown with a child on her back. This child is Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, her son who she bore while residing in Fort Mandan. Jean Baptiste, or "Pompey", as Lewis called him, was born on February 11th with the assistance of Lewis. It is recorded that Lewis concocted a mixture of rattlesnake tail and water to speed delivery. Pompey was born a healthy boy, and was known for his 'dancing' and constant movement. -
Illness
Fortunately, disease was not as large of a problem for the explorers as one would expect. There are very few recordings of illness in the journals of the explorers. In one account of Lewis being ill, he described that he felt strong pains in his lower intestines. He could not eat due to his pain and later that evening contracted a fever. He decided to try to concoct a simple medicine, which he reported to work and was healed. -
The Disappointment
This day, Lewis climbed the last ridge before the Continental Divide. He climbed with ambition- he was sure that on the other side of this mountain would be the ocean that he and Clark had been venturing for all of this time. But, to his dismay, he got to the top only to see more mountains which would become the State of Idaho. -
Reunited
The men find a tribe of Shoshone Indians with the help and direction of Sacagawea. Lewis began trying to bargain for horses, which he knew would be imperative for the mountainous paths ahead, but soon it became apparent that Sacagawea was the Chief's sister. In this picture, Sacagawea's brother, who is named Cameahwait in Lewis's jounal, is depicted meeting Jean-Baptiste. For returning his sister to him, Cameahwait provided the men with the horses they needed for the journey. -
Clark's Tree
Shortly after reaching the Pacific Ocean, Clark found a nearby tree and carved the following onto it- "William Clark. Nov. 19, 1805. By land from the U. States." This later became a landmark and there is a replica of the tree with the same engraving in the estimated location of the original. -
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The Stay at Fort Clatsop
While staying at Fort Clatsop, the expedition experienced much turmoil. It is recorded that every single man suffered from the flu or a cold during their stay, but it is obvious that the real problem was boredom. The men had a difficult time finding things to entertain themselves. The things that they did to keep themselves occupied included making moccasins, retrieving salt from the ocean, hunting, trading, and doing chores. Needless to say, the men were happy to leave. -
Meeting the Clatsops
The Clatsops were the tribe that lived close to where Fort Clatsop was to be built. Through the long and depressing winter spent at Fort Clatsop, these Indians provided much help to Lewis and Clark. The Corps was running short on the items that they had brought with them and through trade they were able to restock many of their things. It is estimated that without the help of the Clatsop Indians the corps would have perished. -
Christmas in Clatsop
The travelers celebrate Christmas in their winter quarters, which they have named Fort Clatsop after the Clatsop Indians who live nearby. For presents, the men shared handkerchiefs and cigars.
The men stayed in Fort Clatsop from December 1805 to March 1806. A replica of the Fort stands in the original spot, which is located in Oregon near the mouth of the Columbia River. -
The Grizzly Bear
Hugh McNeal was alone hunting on horseback when he spotted in the bushes a large grizzly bear. Unfortunately, his horse bucked him off towards the bear. As the bear reared up to attack him, he smacked it with his gun- the only thing he could do at a close range. This bought him enough time to climb up a nearby tree. The bear waited for him at the base for hours until sundown, when it left. Mcneal returned safely. -
A Conflict
While several members of the expedition including Meriwether Lewis, Joseph Field, and Reubin Field were traveling down the Marias River,they ran into eight members of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe and decided to camp with them for the night. While conversing, the Blackfeet were offended without Lewis and his men knowing. The next morning, it was discovered that the Blackfeet were attempting to steal their weapons. Lewis ended up killing one Indian.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/lewisandclark/two.htm -
A False Alarm
Clark retells a humorous encounter which his group had with the Yankton Indians (Western Dakota Sioux Indians). While traveling by canoe, nine Indians appeared, calling the men ashore. Suddenly, "...Several guns were fired by the indians, which we expected was at the three men behind...I calld out 15 men and ran up with a full deturmination to cover them if possible...(but) they informed me that they were Shooting off their guns at an old Keg which we had thrown out...and floating..."
