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At first, he served in the militia. Then, entered the U.S. Army next. While he served, Clark became friends with Meriwether Lewis in 1795. One year later, he resigned and became the manager of his family's estate.
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In 1792, President George Washington commissioned him as a lieutenant of infantry. Serving under General Anthony Wayne, he helped build and supply forts along the Ohio River. Clark also commanded the Chosen Rifle Company.
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Beginnng in 1792, Clark was a officer in the regular army. In 1794, he fought in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Two years later, he resigned to manage his family's land.
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In 1803, Lewis was picked to be commander of the journey. He later asked Clark to join him and also command. Clark writes back, accepting his request. (Spring 1803)
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Meriwether Lewis and William Clark begin their journey. They explore the Lousiana Purchase and take detailed notes as they travel. During the expedition, they discover many new animals and plants.
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During their first winter of the trip, they stayed near a Mandan village, where Shoshone Indian Sacagawea and her husband lived. While they were there, they asked her to join them as interpreters. Throughout the excursion, Sacagawea and her husband helped them trade and communicate with other Native Americans.
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They made it to the present-day Oregon Coast in November of 1805. There, they built Fort Clatsop and stayed there for the winter. Then, in March, the group prepared to make the trip back to St. Louis.
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On the trip back, Lewis and Clark took separate routes. Lewis traveled on the land north of the Mississippi River and Clark traveled the Yellowstone River to the Missouri River. Towards the end, they reunited and returned to St. Louis as one group.
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In addition to his family, Clark also took care of Sacagawea's children after her death in 1812. Beginning in 1813, he served 7 years as the Governor of the Missouri Territory.
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After Julia's death in 1820, Clark remarried to Harriet Kennerly Radford. Along with his children from his marriage with Hancock and Sacagawea's chiilden, he also fathered two more sons.
