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Beginning St. Louis, Missouri
On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery set out from St. Louis Missouri. Their misson was to explore the newly aquired Louisiana territory and discover a way of trade. Leading the expedition were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Overall, the expedition was successful as they established contact with many Indian tribes, made numerous maps, catalogued new species of plants and animals, and reached the Pacific Ocean. -
Great Missouri Falls
Only a month into the exploration, they reach their first major obstacle the Great Falls of Missouri. Overturning their expectations, the portage around the falls took significantly longer due to the prickly cactus vegetation and other natural obstructions. Finally, they concluded this section of hardship on the Fourth of July, celebrating both the formation of our country and the successful portage. -
At Floyd's Bluff
Here in mordern day Iowa is where the first and last casualty of the Corps of Discovery occured. Charles Floyd died because of a burst appendix. In memory, they named the bluff where he was buried and a nearby river after him. He was the first American soldier to die in the new territory. -
Sioux Tribe
On this date, the expedition had their first encounter with the Sioux indians. A group of armed Indian warriors lead by Chief Black Buffalo approached them. Both parties were armed and hostile until peace was made in the form of a gift of rolled tobacco. Unfortunately, this event was remembered with anger by Clark as he forbade contact when the expedition returned in 1806. -
Fort Mandan
Completed on December 24th, 1804, Fort Mandan was the Corp's first winter shelter. While occupying it, they hunted buffalo with the Mandan tribes and recorded the frigid temperature of 45 degrees Farenheit below zero. It was here that they left the civilized territory and set off into land where no white man had ever set foot. -
Illness
With the neighboring tribe, the expedition goes buffalo hunting in the freezing cold weather. As a result, many of the Corps got frostbite. In fact, Lewis had to amputate the toes of an Indian without any medical supplies, including anesthesia. -
Birth of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau
This day Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and Charbonneau, was born. Nicknamed "Pomp", Jean famously was carried by his mother throughout the entire rest of the journey. He even had a geological wonder named for him. Fascinatingly crushed rattlesnake rattle was given to Sacagawea to speed his birth by Lewis. -
Shoshone Tribe
Once the rest of the Corps caught up with Lewis, who had been scouting and attempting negotiations, a joyful reunion took place. In a surprising turn of events, the chief of the village was Sacagawea's own brother. This freak occurance was extremely beneficial since the horses, which Lewis had unsuccessfully tried to bargain for, were freely given to them. -
Friendship in Idaho
Thankfully after a long perilous journey through the Bitteroots, the company enters Idaho. There a group of Nez Perce Indians befriend them giving them food. In fact, many of the expedition's members got sick after feasting on salmon and camas roots. Another helpful action was the Indians teaching them how to make new canoes out of trees. -
Weather
On this date, the expedition reaches what at first is believed to be the ocean. It is not. For the next several days, pouring rains and torential storms prevent them from moving onward past the East end of Gray's Bay. It was quote Clark,"the most disagreeable time I have experienced,” -
Fort Clatsop
Notably the decision to build this fort included a vote in which both Sacagawea and York, Clark's slave, participated. This is remarkable considering that it would be many many years before women, Indians, and Blacks would be granted that right. When it was completed, the Corps celebrated Christmas inside with their remaining tobacco as gifts. Interestingly, both this fort and Fort Mandan were named after neighboring tribes. -
Helpful Indian Tribe
During their expedition, the Corps of Discovery met numerous Indian tribes. One of these, the Clatsops, lived where the Corps built Fort Clatsop to weather the winter of 1805-1806. Significantly the tribe assisted the group in preparing for winter. An account is given that they, the Indians, told them that a whale washed up on the shore, so that they could obtain vital supplies from the carcass. -
Trade Exchange
Once they had successfully reached the Ocean and were returning, Yelleppit, the Walla Walla chief, invited them to stay in his village. Since he had offered before, they accepted. Trading ensued soon after with a horse, ammunition, a sword and food supplies. On the night before they left, there was a grand party Indian style (including dancing and music) with people from other tribes as well. -
Buffalo Crossing
After the expedition split on the return journey, Clark's portion traveled to the Yellowstone. Unfortunately, they encountered a gigantic herd of buffalo crossing the river. The herd eventually crossed and they were able to continue. A short time after they reached the location of Billings. Montana where Clark carved his name as well as the date onto a rock which is now the only remaining mark on that country that we have of the Corps of Discovery. -
Conflict with Blackfeet
On the return journey, part of the company with Lewis encounter some Blackfeet warriors. Unfortunately, violence ensues after the Blackfeet are caught attempting to steal horses and weapons. In the fray, two warriors are killed in what, amazingly, was the only bloodshed during the entire expedition. Ironically, a peace medal was hung around one of the corpse's neck to provide those who found the bodies with the identity of who killed them.
