Lewis and Clark

By AEH

  • Clark born

    William Clark is born in Caroline Country, Va.

  • Lewis born

    Meriwether Lewis is born in Charlottesville, Albermarle Country, Va,
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    Preparing for Expedition

  • Finance expedition

    President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to finance an expedition to explore western North America. Congress approved the request.

  • Purchase of Louisiana Territory

    US representatives sign a treaty with France to get the Louisiana Territory
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    Washington to Pittsburg

  • Leader and co- leader chosen

    Jefferson chose Captin Meriwether Lewis to lead the expedition. In turn, he asked William Clark to serve as co- leader.

  • Ohio River

    From Pittsburgh, Pa, Lewis sails the boat down the Ohio River
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    Down Ohio River

  • More Men

    In Clarksville, Indiana, Lewis meets up with Clark and the men Clark recruited for the trip
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    Up Mississippi River to winter camp

  • Camp Dubois

    Winter quarters were set up at Camp Dubois near St. Louis, Missouri.
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    Depart camp

  • Heading out

    The men leave Camp Dubois and head up the Missouri River
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    Up Missouri River

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    Indian Country

  • Only Death

    Sergeant Charles Floyd was the only member of the expedition to die
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    Encounter with Sioux

  • Fort Mandan

    The group builds Fort Mandan, in present-day North Dakota, for winter

  • Sacagawea Arrives

    Toussaint Charbonneau, the French- Canadian fur trader, and Sacagawea, his Shoshone Indian wife, are hired by Lewis and Clark to interpret Indian languages
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    Winter at Fort Mandan

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    Report from Fort Mandan

  • Journey resumed

    The journey resumed up the Missouri River
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    Fort Mandan to Marias River

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    Marias River to Great Falls

  • The Great Falls

    The group starts an 18-mile trip around the Great Falls of the Missouri River
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    Great Portage

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    Looking for Shoshones

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    Continental divide

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    Bitterroots

  • Lolo Trail

    The group spent 11 days in harsh conditions walking the Lolo Trail of the Bitterroot Range to cross the Rocky Mountians
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    Down Columbia River

  • Pacific coast

    The expedition reached the Pacific Coast

  • Fort Clatsop

    Winter quarters were set up at Fort Clatsop in present- day Oregon
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    Fort Clatsop

  • Journey home

    The journey home started
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    Return to Nez Perce

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    Lolo Trail

  • Splitting up

    Splitting up into 2 groups, the expedition decided to find a shortcut home and explore more of the Louisiana Territory
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    Marias exploration

  • Only Bloodshed

    While trying to to steal guns and horses, 2 Blackfeet Indians were killed by members of Lewis's group
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    Last leg

  • Reunion

    The 2 groups reunited on the Missouri River

  • Back to the Beginning

    The expedition arrived back in St. Louis
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    Reporting to President

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    Washington

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    Philadelphia

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    Virginia

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    St. Louis

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    Last Voyage

  • Lewis dies

    Meriwether Lewis dies of suicide in an inn along the Natchez Trail in Tennessee

  • Clark dies

    William Clark dies in St. Louis