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The Departure
Lewis and Clark depart on their expedition with a crew of about four dozen men. They are carried down the river "under a jentle brease" according to Clark. They are traveling in a big keelboat that is about 55 feet long and 8 feet wide and capable of carrying 10 tons of supplies. They progress about 14 miles on a good day. -
Encounter with the Teton Sioux Indians
The Teton Sioux Indians were generally hostile to most of the merchants traveling through the area, charging a large tax to everyone. When the Lewis & Clark Expodition met them things did not change for the better. During meetings with the indians several fights nearly broke out, but were stopped by the Indian Chief. Clark described the indians as "thin, small, and generally ill-looking". The meeting ended earlier than originally planned due to a lack of proper communication. -
The Experience at Fort Mandan
The Expedition spent most of their time, during the winter at Mandan, hunting buffalo for food, trading with the local Native American tribes, and repairing equipment. During this time the frenchman known as Toussaint Charbonneau was hired as an interpereter along with his wife Sacagawea. The spring eventually came and the expedition moved on as the buffalo left. -
Sacagawea's Baby is Born at Fort Mandan
During the winter the Expedition spent at Fort Mandan Sacagawea gave birth to a boy that Clark nicknamed Pompey. Sacagawea was having trouble with her labor so someone advised Lewis to give her a potion made from a rattlesnakes rattles. Within 10 minutes of the potion being administered Sacagawea delivered and immediately started to recover. -
Meeting with the Shoshone Tribe
Lewis and part of his expedition encounter an Indian women who is eventually convinced that they are friends. She informs a Shoshone Indian war party, who arrived soon after, that the outsiders are friends. The war party takes them back to their camp and negotiate with the party while also feeding them. When the Indian chief goes back to the Expeditions camp he recognizes Sacagawea who turns out to be his sister. He agrees to trade and provide the Expedition with horses. -
Meeting With the Nez Perce (all sources only mentioned the month and year)
The 4 members of the Expedition that were sent ahead to find the Nez Perce met Indian boys who were afriad and hiding in the wheat. Most of the Nez Perce tribe were on a raid so the Expedition met with a chief called Twisted hair. The Expedition was impressed with his hospitality and sincerity. They could not fully communicate so simply exchanged gifts which left both groups satisfied. -
The Building of Fort Clatsop
Lewis and Clark decided to build their fort 3 miles upstream Nutal Creek. They chose this area, because of the large amount of natural resources such as deer, lumber, and elk. After they finished building the fort they decided to name it Fort Clatsop after the local Indian tribe.