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Starting point-
The starting point of Lewis and Clark's expedition begins in St. Louis, Missouri. On May 14, 1804, the Expedition, under Clark's command, left Camp River Dubois on the east side of the Mississippi River sailed up the Missouri River. This is the beginning their voyage of discovery and adventure. -
Peaceful trade
Lewis and Clark meet with Zottous Indians. The Indians acknowledge the U.S. as the government of their people. Lewis and Clark give them some peace gifts, flags, medals, and other goods. The Indian chiefs gave speeches and they left in peace.
“This morning the two Captains held a Counsel With the 13 Zottous Indians & made 6 Chiefs under the american government” --Ordway -
Causalty
The Lewis and Clark expedition experienced their first and only casualty. Sergeant Charles Floyd died from a bowels injury. They paid all the respects they could to his body.
“Capt Lewis read the funeral Service over him after paying everry respect to the Body of this desceased man” -
Prarie dog
The expedition comes across praiie dogs, and is very excited. They spent a long time trying to get to the animals. They dug six feet down and still didn’t reach the prairie dogs. They also tried to drown the dogs out by pouring five barrels of water down the holes.
“The Village of those little dogs is under the ground a conisiderable distance we dig under 6 feet thro rich hard clay without getting to their Lodge” -- Lewis -
Meeting the Sioux tribe
The Sioux tribe was neighbors to the Tetons, and they DID NOT get along very well at all. Constant fighting, arguing and disagreements basically described the relationship between the two tribes. This enounter with the Lewis and Clark group was entirely different. On the twenty fourth of September in 1804, the expedition went through its practiced ritual for meeting Indians, parading in uniform and demonstrating an air gun. They were at peace, and Lewis and Clark continued. -
Fort Mandan
Lewis and Clark arrived at what is now Bismarck, North Dakota, on November 2nd 1804, and built fort Mandan, in honor of the Mandans and Hidatsas. The Mandans and hidatsas indians were "the most friendly, well disposed Indians inhabiting the Missouri . . . brave, humane and hospitable." (lewis-clark.com) They then departed from fort Mandan in April 7th 1805 -
Aided Expedition
Sacajawea joins the expedition with her husband, Chaubonée. This is a big moment because she will prove to be very helpful during the journey. Not much is written in the journals on this day, but it proves to be helpful later.
“…a Mr. Chaubonée, interpeter for the Gross Vintre nation Came to See us” --Clark -
Baby birth
Sacagawea and her husband became part of the group two months ago, making her the only woman in the Corps of Discovery. Two months before the expedition was to depart, Lewis and Clark found themselves with another co-traveler, who later proved useful in an unexpected way. On this day in 1805, Sacagawea went into labor. Named Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the cries of the healthy young boy announced the arrival of a new member of the Corps of Discovery. -
Shoshone Indians
On August 13th, some Shoshone women gathering food a few miles from their village saw four strangers drawing near- which happened to be Lewis and three of his men. These 4 were the first white people the Shoshones had ever seen. The women were scared at first, but calmed down and found that they were friendls after Lewis laid down his gun, gave them trinkets, and painted their faces- a symbol of peace. At camp, Cameahwait warned Lewis of the impassable rivers and other trials they would face. -
Idaho highlight
While the Corps of Discovery passes through Limhi Pass, (They were the first U.S. citizens to pass the Continental divide) Sacagewa, someone who opted into helping the group with their journey, was reunited with her family in what is present day Idaho. Sacagewa was an important part of this group and helped them with many things such as- translating, and giving directions. -
Illness
Captain Lewis was really sick as well as a few other men. They were in a hot place with only warm water. One man on the expedition, Gass, thought that the water had something to do with their indisposition.
“The men in general appear to be getting much better; but Captain Lewis is very sick and taking medicine; and myself and two or three of the men are yet very unwell.”--Gass -
Tree in the way
The expedition gets help from a Nez Pierce tribe in making canoes. The canoes are made from hollowed out trees. One of the canoes had a thin spot and the expedition stopped to fix it.
“Had the Canoes unloaded examined and mended a Small leake which we discovered in a thin place in her Side” --Clark -
Fort Clatsop
After finding “the most navigable passage across the Continent of North America,” their mission was complete. Eager to begin the journey home, members of the the Corps knew that travel would have to wait until spring – The Corps built a temporary camp called Fort Clatsop, named after a group of indians that lived nearby. During their stay, Lewis prepared many notes on more than 30 mammals, birds and plants not yet done by science. His observations are still valued by researchers today. -
Weather in the way
To protect themselves from the poor weather the expedition made shelters near the Nez Pierce Indians. They planned to stay for one month at their shelters. This they did, not leaving again till late June.
“…some hunters went out early. The rest of the party were engaged in making places of shelter,…” --Gass -
Death incident
In July 1806 the Lewis and Clark expedition was challenged by some Blackfeet Indians. The Indians came during the night and tried to take some of their guns and horses. Two Indians were killed, but the rest got away with some of the horses and one gun. The expedition could have killed more, but Lewis tried to prevent deaths.
“R Fields as he seized his gun stabed the indian to the heart with his knife the fellow ran about 15 steps and fell dead…” -- Lewis
