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The Journey Begins (First Leg)
Merriweather Lewis and William Clark along with four dozen men had been preparing for an expedition since the fall of 1803. From the start of May 21 to July 31 of 1804, began their expedition also known as the "Corps of Discovery" along the Missouri River. At the end of July, Lewis and Clark had yet to meet an Indian but traveled more than 6,000 miles. They always tried to make camp along river islands and specifically looked out for Indians that came in peace but were armed for protection. -
Heading into Danger? (Leg 2)
The first Indian encounter between the Oto and Missouri Indians on the night of August 2 went well for Lewis and Clark. However, Sergeant Charles Floyd was the only one to die along this expedition and the first to die west of the Mississippi as a U.S. soldier most commonly from apendicitis. Lewis and Clark were entering Sioux territory towards the end of the month and were forewarned by the Yankton Sioux of the Teton Sioux's reception. -
Standoff With the Teton Sioux (Third Leg)
After having met the Yankton Sioux the more peaceful tribe, Lewis and Clark were greeted by the Teton Sioux with hostility. The Teton Sioux were demanding that Lewis and Clark give a boat to them and started to threaten Lewis and Clark. Lewis and Clark began to arm themselves with a sword and swivel gun but last minute, the Indians and Lewis and Clark held back from fighting.They created a possible enemy which was the opposite of what Jefferson wanted:friendly relations with the Sioux. -
Winter Among the Mandan (Leg 5)
From December 21 of 1804 to April 6, 1805 the members of the expedition spent their winter by trading with Indians, hunting for buffalo, and repaired equipment. Toussaint Charbonneau was French-Canadian fur trapper who became the interpreter for the expedition members. Once Spring came, Lewis and Clark were about to enter land that no American has been to before; they are going to land of the unknown and possible danger. -
Into Grizzly Country (Leg 6)
Lewis and Clark were now heading due west and entering "Grizzly Country". Lewis was not nervous even though the Indians warned them about the bears. He thought that having a rifle made him a lot more powerful than the bear in comparison to an Indian with a bow and arrow. However on April 29, two bears were spotted. One bear was wounded while the other chased Lewis for 80 yards until he and the expedition members could kill it. -
Around the Great Falls (Leg 9)
Meriweather Lewis became known as the first white man to see the Great Falls on June 13th. He realized that the Indians were mistaken and there were 5 falls, not 1 that stretched for 12 miles.It took over a month to make it pass the Falls and get to sailable waters and coming up to the Rocky Mountains. -
Among the Shoshone (Leg 11)
Since Lewis's past encounter with an Indian at Fort Mandan, he finally met another Indian named Shoshone who was on horseback. Lewis and Clark began to bargain with who turned out to be Scajawea's brother Cameahwait, the chief. They were trying to get horses in order to make it to the Pacific. They were also given information that would lead them over the mountains through a trail across the Continental Divide. -
Deadly Crossing: The Bitterroots (Leg 12)
Lewis and Clark had made their way to the Continental Divide and into the Bitterroot Valley. The horses they bought from a band of Flathead Indians began to starve after 11 days in the mountains. They met the Nez Perce and were able to get food from them. By October 7, they started to head down the Clearwater River. -
Winter on the Pacific (Leg 14)
Lewis and Clark set up camp at Fort Clatsop which was named after the Clatsop Indians south of the Columbia. Mostly, the expedition members made maps, stored food, etc. But they were looking to trade with ships from Great Britain and other U.S. ports but the Indians did not tell Lewis and Clark about a ship that didn't stop to trade so it left without them knowing it had been there. -
Readying for the Return (Leg 15)
From December 31 of 1805 to March 22, 1806, the expedition members began to retrace steps and prepare to go home.However, their journey back had to be carefully timed so they would not endure another winter and had to make sure the river was not frozen. By the third week in March, they were ready to head back. -
Given Up for Dead, Hailed as Heroes (Leg 22)
The expedition was being made by traveling nearly 80 miles a day as they neared the end of their journey. It had been 2 years, 4 months and 10 days since they left and returned to St. Louis. They were greeted by a thousand people as they were welcomed home on September 23, 1806.
