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Entered the Military
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. -
Lieutenant of Infantry
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. -
Battle of Fallen Timbers
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. -
Lewis asks Clark to join expedition
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) -
Expedition Begins
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. -
Lewis and Clark Meet Sacagawea
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. -
Reached Oregon Coast
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. -
Return to St. Louis
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. -
Married Julia Hancock
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. -
Married Harriet Kennerly Radford
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.
