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Starting Point St. Louis MO
Nearly four dozen men start proceeding up the Missouri River. Sometimes it involved rowing, sailing, and even wading along the river bank to pull the boats. Progress was slow, usually about 14 miles a day. -
Expedition Experiences a Casualty
Segeant Floyd takes ill from an apparent ruptured appendix. Floyd dies shortly thereafter and becomes the first and only casualty of the expedition. Also became first US soldier to die west of the Mississippi. -
Experience with Sioux Tribe
Meet with a tribe of Sioux Indians who demand one of the boats as toll to move up the river. A fight almost happens but a Chief named Black Buffalo stops it from happening. For three more days the anxious expedition stays with the tribe. -
Fort Mandan
Lewis and Clark met their first Mandan Chief, Big White. Later the expedition reaches the Mandan and Hidatsas villages. The captains chose to build Fort Mandan across the river from the main village. -
Experience the Shosone Tribe
While building the fort at Mandan, Lewis and Clark meet a trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau. Charbonneau had two wives who were Shosone indians, Sacagawea and Little Otter. Sacagawea would become an important asset to the expedition. -
A baby is born.
Sacagawea was only 16 and pregnant when she joined the expedition. Lewis helped deliver the baby, using the rattle of a rattlesnake to help aid the deliver. The baby was named Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, but was nicknamed "Pompy" by Clark. -
Animal Profoundly Affects Expedition
As the expedition proceeded to what is now Montana, they are astounded by the wild life. They encounter herds of buffalo and other game. While at the mouth of the Yellowstone River, Lewis and another hunter kill a large grizzly. In the days that follow, there are many more bear encounters, one of which drove a member of the expedition up a tree. -
Expedition Member Becomes Ill
During delivery of her baby, Sacagawea almost doesn't make it and ;ater becomes very ill. Despite this, she continues to help guide Lewis and Clark. While traveling along the Missouri River, Sacagawea got well after drinking water from a mineral spring. -
Experience that Occurred in Present Day Idaho
Lewis ascends final ridge toward the Continental Divide. He climbed the rest of the ridge to Lemhi Pass, which is present day border between Montana and Idaho. Lewis expected to see a vast plain with a river flowing, but instead only saw mountains. -
Expedition Experiences Peaceful Trade
Lewis and Clarke successfully negotiate with the Shosone. They receive horses which will allow them passage over the Rocky Mountains. Captains name the spot "Camp Fortunate". -
Expedition Significantly Aided by Native Tribe
During the crossing of the Lolo Trail, the expedition encountered horrible conditions. The men almost starved until they came across the Nez Perce Indians. The tribe greeted them with kindness and helped them make new canoes out of pine trees. -
Experience at Fort Clatsop
Deciding to stay the winter months at Fort Clatsop, the expedition settles down. Named for a neighboring Indian tribe, Fort Clatsop was where they celebrated Christmas that year, far from their home. The captains gave handkerchiefs and tobacco as gifts. -
Plant or Tree Great Affect Expedition
The expedition had already ran out of whiskey and now was out of tobacco. A member of the expedition, Patrick Gass, reported that men used crab tree bark as a replacement. -
Weather Profoundly Influences the Expedition
After the expedition arrives back to the Nez Perce, they set out to cross the Bitterroot Mountains. Because the snow was so bad, they would have to wait until late June before they would be able to cross. The tribe once again provides the expedition with goods. -
Native Tribe Member Killed by Expedition Member
When heading back towards Missouri, Lewis sees some Blackfeet tribe members. Lewis sets up camp with them, but wakes in the morning to find they were trying to steal horses and guns. This was followed by a fight in which two Blackfeet tribe members were shot and killed. This was the only act of violence they encountered during the expedition.
