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Jefferson's Conference
President Thomas Jefferson received the approval from congress for an endeavor into the new world. 2,500 dollars were given to fund the expedition. The small group was later called the "Corps of Discovery" which was lead by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. -
Period: to
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Time from Jefferson's appointment to Lewis and Clarks final discovery. -
Setting off from Camp Dubois in Missouri (start)
After many months of recruiting individuals for the journey, Lewis and Clark settle with 29 individuals and set off. They travel the river with a large "keelboat" which was 55 feet long, 8 feet wide and was capable of carrying 20,000 pounds. They then traveled 14 miles for the first day. -
The Storm
After waiting until 7 o'clock this day for heavy rains to subside, the Corps set out from their night quarters. They had been moving only for a short time when the sky grew dark and the wind picked up. They traveled very little that day, and had almost lost their boat to raging torrents in the river. -
Peace with the Oto
Lewis and Clark met with the Oto indians while on their way up the Missouri River. Many of the indians were away hunting (including the chiefs) but Lewis made a campground which he called council bluff. It is here that peace was sorted with the lesser chiefs of the Oto, when the Oto were told that "their new great father would protect them" and "grant trade between them and the U.S." -
First Death (Sioux City, Iowa)
The expedition's first casuality occured on August 20, 1804. Sergeant Charles Floyd died of a burst appendix! He was laid to rest at what is now called Floyd's Bluff near where he died at Sioux City, Iowa. And even on the return trip, the men gave honor to the one and only casuality of the expedition. -
Encounter with Teton Sioux Native Americans
While traveling near Pierre, North Dakota, a tribe of Teton Sioux Indians demanded that a toll be paid for the corps to travel further upriver. The corps denied and a fight was on the hinges. But then the two sides agreed for the Corps to stay with the Sioux for the next 3 disturbing days. -
Mandan Indian Aid
The Mandan Native Americans was actually the tribal name that was given to the construction of the Fort Mandan. During this winter between 1804-1805, the Corps of Discovery stayed and were overcome with assistance from the Mandans. This significantly aided the Expedition because the tribe gave supplies (food and water) and their consent to the new government that they would be apart of. -
Birth of a Baby
Sacagawea (Lewis and Clark's interpreter and guide) gave birth to a baby boy on this date. She then named him Jean Baptiste which was a French name since his father was French Canadian. An interesting fact to note was when in labor, Lewis gave her a potion to speed up the process from crushed rattlesnake rattlers. This took place while the expedtion stayed with the Mandans. -
Fort Mandan
It was the winter headquarters for the Corps of Discovery. The fort was named after the Mandan Indians and they helped William Clark and his companions all winter long. It is here that Clark hires Touissant Charbonneau as an interpreter to the expedition. -
The Grizzly (A Profound Animal Experience)
This is the first time that the expedition had ever seen an animal with such ferosity. Lewis wrote that the members of the expedition began to show much caution and awareness of such an animal. In fact, Lewis had to shoot the bear twice in order to bring it down, otherwise the bear would have either completely mauled or killed him. This was probably one of the most profound animal experiences the expedition had faced. -
Idaho
In Idaho, Lewis gets to see the immense Columbian River. In fact, this is where he sees the Continental divide. He then goes on to talk about the drinking of the cool Columbian Water. -
Shoshone Encounter
Lewis and Clark encounter the first shoshone indians (besides Sacagawea) and make a truce. It is cool to note that Lewis and Clark were the first white men the Shoshone had ever seen. While Lewis and Clark stayed, they gained shoshone men and a general overhead of the land that they shall ecounter should they continue. -
Salmon Sickness
After encountering the Nez Percé in Idaho, the expedition is then invited to stay with the people after they were declared friendly. They then found themselves with extremely painful stomach aches and pains from eating only salmon and roots. The men from the expedition were rejoicing to eat regular meat later on. -
The Pacific!
On this day, Lewis finally sees where the land ends! The expedition is finally over. They can now finally set off for home and enjoy the praises of the east. -
A Significant Plant and Substitute
On the return trip home, the men finally run out of tobacco to smoke. So, thinking fast, they then decide to strip bark off of crab trees. Notice, that this significant piece of foliage most likely saved the morale for their homecoming. -
Fort Clatsop
This would be the Winter headquarters for the expedition. From the 7th of December up until the 3rd of March, they stayed hear with full stomachs and an itching to move on home. All members would seem to be fairly satisfied with their last stay at Fort Clatsop. -
Blackfeet Native American Deaths
While in Montana, Lewis and the expedition spot eight Blackfeet warriors approaching, riding on horseback. The hostility flares went up and then back down when the warriors saw that the Corps was not aggressive. Lewis then let them stay with the Expedition that night. After a while of negotiations, the warriors soon realized that the Corps had been making peace and contracts with their enemies; the Shoshone and Nez Perce. A fight came, and men from the expedition killed three of the warriors.
