-
-
-
Start (Camp Dubois)
PBS
The expedition left Camp Dubois (also known as Camp Wood) 14 May, 1804. On 14 May, Clark, along with around "4 dozen" men left the camp. They met up with Lewis shortly after. Quote Clark:
"I Set out at 4 oClock P.M, in the presence of many of the neighboring inhabitents, and proceeded on under a jentle brease up the Missourie...a heavy rain this after-noon." -
Period: to
Expedition Length
The expeditions beginning and end dates. The expedition lasted 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days. They covered 7,689 miles. -
La Charrette
Expedition passes village of "La Charrette", the last white settlement on the river. Beyond this there had not been much exploration done. The Lewis and Clark expedition had much to explore. -
Sergeant Floyd Dies
Sergeant Floyd had been sick for a few weeks before his death. On August 20, 1804, Sergeant Floyd of the expedition died. William Clark diagnosed the cause to be bilious colic, but it is believed the cause was more likely to have been a ruptured appendix. He is the only death of the expedition. -
Period: to
Encounter with the Sioux
The expedition encountered the Yankton Sioux tribe. They had a peaceful meeting, and traded with them. A large "war dance" was also performed in the presence of the expedition. -
Started Fort Mandan
On Nov 2, 1804, it was decided to start the construction of Fort Mandan. The fort was used as shelter for the expedition through the winter of 1804-1805. It was oneof the 2 winters the team endured on the journey. -
Period: to
Construction of Fort Mandan
The Construction of Fort Mandan was started Nov 2nd, 1804 and was considered finished the 24th of December, 1804.01 -
Expedition meets Sacajawea
The expedition first meets Sacagawea. She is wife to french trapper Toussaint Charbonneau. She became an integral part of the epxedition, prividing guidance, translation, and help to the team. -
Period: to
Stay at Fort Mandan
The expedition stayed at the Fort Mandan from 24 Dec, 1804 to April 7, 1805. -
Sacagawea gives birth
On 11 Feb, Sacagawea gave birth to Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. nicknamed "Pompy" or "Little Pomp". The birth was assisted by using crushed Rattlesnake Rattles to aid in dilivery. He was born near Washburn, North Dakota, at Fort Mandan -
Expedition leaves Fort Mandan
After a long winter, the expedition leaves Fort Mandan. Later, the team would come back to the fort and find it mysterously destroyed by a fire. It has now been reconstructed. -
Animal Help
On May 29, a large buffalo charged the camp. Lewis' dog forced the buffalo to change course, helping save the camp, people, and supllies.
Lewis quotes "my dog saved us by causing him to change his course a second time, which he did by turning a little to the right, and was quickly out of sight, leaving us by this time all in an uproar with our guns in o[u]r hands" -
Expedition enters Idaho
On 12, August, 1805, the expedition entered Idaho. Here, they met the Shoshone tribe, whom Sacagawea is related to. More information can be found here -
Council with Shoshone Tribe
Expedititon meets with Shoshone tribe. They trade for horses and passage. They also hire a Shoshone guide to help lead them (Old Toby). This event happened in present day Idaho. -
Clark Tree
The Clark tree is an important part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The tree is carved with "William Clark. Nov. 19, 1805, by land from the U. States". This tree is located near the farthest the team traveled north, and sits only 20 feet above the Pacific Ocean. -
Period: to
Fort Clatsop Building
The expedition built Fort Clatsop from 7 Dec, 1805, to 25 Dec 1805. -
Period: to
Stay at Fort Clatsop
The winter here was especially cold and bitter, with lots of precipitation. The expedition also made salt while staying here. The weather created problems and destroyed food and supplies. -
The expedition splits
On July 3, 1806, the expediton was split into two groups. Clark led one group, and Lewis led another. They split up so they could map and explore 2 different sections of river. Patrick Gass quotes "We had again a fine morning; collected our horses and set out. Captain Lewis and his party went down Clarke's river, and Captain Clarke with the rest of the party went up it." -
Fight with Blackfoot Indians
A fskirmish broke out July 27, 1806. Two Blackfoot indians tried to steal the weapons of some members of the expedition. These indians were shot and killed. This is the only hostile encounter with a native tribe. -
Expedition ends
After 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days, the Lewis and Clark expedition made it to St. Louis. They covered 7,689 miles. Today, it is remembered as one of the most influential explorations in American history. It is also a reminder of the perseverance that we all can have. The team did not give up, even after storms, frostbite, snow, starvation, or even gunshot wounds. This shows us how much we can accomplish if we put our minds to it.
