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St. Louis, Missouri
Lewis and Clark go to the ceremonies that transfer the Louisiana Territory to the U.S., located in St. Louis, Missouri. This is the beginning of the Expedition. -
A peaceful trade
The corps trades with the Zottous indians. It is a very peaceful trade. "Zottous Indians & made 6 Chiefs under the american government, they all Recd their medel & other presents With Great kindness & thankfulness they all appeared to be Glad that they had Got freed from all other powers &C— they made Some verry Sensable Speeches Smoaked and drank with us. Shook hands and parted." -
The death of Sergeant Charles Floyd
Sergeant Charles Floyd died on August 20, 1804. He most likely passed away from a ruptured appendix." we 〈took〉 Buried him to the top of a high round hill over looking the river & Countrey for a great distance Situated just below a Small river without a name to which we name & call Floyds river, the Bluffs Sergts. Floyds Bluff— [2] we buried him with all the honors of War, and fixed a Ceeder post at his head with his name title & Day of the month and year." -
Sioux Tribe
When the corps encounter the Sioux it isn't a pretty picture. It is very tense but there is no conflict.
"He told them his soldiers were good, and that he had more medicine aboard his boat than would kill twenty such nations in one day. [13] After this they did not threaten any more, and said they only wanted us to stop at their lodge, that the women and children might see the boat. " -
Fort Mandan
The corps find the Villages of the Mandan. After exploring the area they settle to fix their supplies, trade with Indians, and regroup. "A great many of the natives, some on horseback and some on foot appeared on the hills on the north side, hallooing and singing....In the afternoon we passed a bottom covered with timber on the north side and hills on the south, and encamped on the north side. Here our Indian returned, accompanied by one of the Mandans." -
A baby is born
Sacagawea gives birth to a baby boy at Fort Mandan. His name, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. "The party that were ordered last evening set out early this morning. the weather was fair and could wind N. W. about five oclock this evening one of the wives of Charbono was delivered of a fine boy." -
The animal
It was the first time they had ever seen a bear. Lewis had no idea how hard it would be to hunt, it took about 10 shots before it went down. " Here we killed a very large brown bear, which measured three feet five inches round the head; three feet eleven inches around the neck; round the breast five feet 10½ inches; the length eight feet 7½ inches; round the middle of the fore leg 23 inches; and his talons four inches and three eights of an inch." -
Sacagawea gets sick
When Lewis gets back to camp, he notices the Sacagawea is very ill. He began to treat her with different herbs and medicines. " I reached the camp found the Indian woman extreemly ill and much reduced by her indisposition." -
Shoshone Tribe
After staying at Fort Mandan all winter long, hiring Sacagawea and her husband, they continue onward. Soon, Sacagawea recognizes the Shoshone lands. They meet the Shoshone and Sacagawea reunites with her brother. " There were about 20 of the natives came over with Captain Lewis and had the same number of horses. Here we unloaded the canoes, and had a talk with the Indians; and agreed with them that they should lend us some of their horses to carry our baggage to the Columbia river." -
The Bitterroot Mountains
When the corps had to travel through these treacherous trails, danger surrounded them at every corner. They nearly starved.
" the tops of the high and irregular mountains which present themselves to our view on the opposite side of this branch of the Columbia are yet perfectly covered with snow; the air which proceeds from those mountains has an agreeable coolness and renders these parched and South hillsides much more supportable at this time of the day it being now about noon. " -
Helpful Tribe
The corps by now were very tired and starving, so when the Nez Perce Indians came about as kind and giving, they were relieved.
"This was a fine warm day. About 9 o'clock we continued our route over a ridge about a west course, upon the top of which there is a handsome small prairie; where we met one of our hunters [15] with a supply of roots, berries, and some fish, which he procured from another band of the Flathead nation of Indians." -
Experience in present-day Idaho
The corps meet the Nez Pearce indians in Weippe, Idaho. They traded with them. "Traded with the Indians, made 3 Chiefs and gave them meadels & Tobacco & Handkerchif & knives, and a flag & left a Flag & hand kerches for the great Chief when he returns from war, in the evening proceeded to the 2d Vilg 2 miles, a hard wind and rain at dark, traded for Some root Bread & Skins to make Shirts." -
Fort Clatsop
The corps reach the Pacific. They take a vote on where to stay and build a fort. They pick Clatsop.
"Some of two nations of Indians came to our Encampment the Clatsop and Chinuck nations [8] they behave very well as yet. our officers conclude with the oppinion of the party to cross the River and look out a place for winters quarter [9] Some where as near the ocean as possable on the account of makeing Salt." -
The Oregon Ash Tree
The corps discovered the tree when having to walk through its dense long crown with leaves. "Sent out three men to examin the country to the S. & W. they returned after about 2 hours and informed me that the wood was so thick and obstructed by marrasses & lakes that they were unable to proceed to the ocean which could not be at any considerable distance from the apparent sound of the waves breaking on the Coast." -
Accidental Killing
Lewis had an unfortunate experience with the Blackfeet Indians. As they threatened to take his guns, he was forced to shoot two of them.
