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Starting point: St. Louis, Missouri
On this day, the expedition set off Camp Dubois in a keelboat. The keelboat was large, over 50 feet long. There were about four dozen men involved in the expedition. They also used two "pirogues", which were smaller boats. “Set out from Camp River a Dubois at 4 oClock P. M. and proceded up the Missouris under Sail…a Cloudy rainey day. wind from the N E. men in high Spirits” --Clark -
A spot where a member of the expedition becomes ill
On this day, Sergeant Charles Floyd, a man from Kentucky, fell seriously ill. The men seemed to think it was “Beliose Chorlick,” but he was probably suffering from a ruptured appendix. When the journey had set out, Lewis had noted him as a “young man of much merit.” “Serjeant Floyd is taken verry bad all at onc with a Beliose Chorlick we attempt to relieve him without Success as yet, he gets wordse and we are muc allarmed at his Situation, all attention to him.” –Clark -
A spot where the expedition experiences a causality
On this date Sergeant Charles Floyd met his death from a burst appendix. In his honor, the hill where he was buried was named Floyd’s Bluff. Miraculously, he was to be the only causality of the entire expidition. "Monday 20th. Sergeant Floyd continued very ill. We embarked early, and proceeded, having a fair wind and fine weather, till 2 o'clock, when we landed for dinner. Here Sergeant Floyd died." --Gass -
Experience at Fort Mandan
The men had moved into Fort Mandan (named after the Mandan Indians) on Christmas Eve. During the month of January, the Mandan Indians and the Corps of Discovery hunt buffalo together. As noted in the journal entry, they also killed a hare. “3rd of January Thursday 1805
Soome Snow to day; 8 men go to hunt the buffalow, killed a hare.” --Clark -
A spot where a baby is born
Sacagawea was an Indian woman who had joined the expidition with her husband, to act as an interpreter. On Febuary 11th, 1805, Sacagawea gave birth to her son. He was named Jean Baptiste. The baby, nicknamed Pomp, became the youngest member of the expidition. "The party that were ordered last evening set out early this morning. the weather was fair and could wind N. W. about five oclock this evening one of the wives of Charbono was delivered of a fine boy. " --Lewis -
A spot where a plant or tree profoundly affected the expedition
The keelboat and some men were sent back down the river with reports and specimens for Jefferson. 180 new plants were discovered throughout the expedition and collecting and recording samples was an integral part the mission. One important plant that effected the expeditions sent was Indian corn, which would be planted at Jefferson’s famous home, Monticello. “Having…completed every arrangement necessary…we dismissed the barge…with orders to return without loss of time to S. Louis" -Lewis -
A spot where an animal profoundly effects the expedition
The company encounters huge herds of buffalo, and Lewis killed a grizzly bear. The bear was brand new to science, one of hundreds of new plant and animal species that were discovered through the course of the expedition. They were farther west than any white person had ever been. “about 8 A. M. we fell in with two…bear; both of which we wounded; one of them made his escape, the other after my firing on…we again repeated our fir and killed him.” -Lewis -
Experience with the Shoshone Tribe
On this day, the company comes upon a Shoshone village. Sacagawea is brought to help translate for the negotiation of the horses they will need to cross the mountains, and it is discovered that the Shoshone chief is her brother! They name the spot “Camp Fortunate”. "Clark arrived with...the Indian woman, who proved to be a sister of the Chif Cameahwait.,..with a flattering prospect of being able to obtain as many horses (as we needed)." -Lewis -
A spot where weather profoundly influences the expedition.
The Expedition began the journey over the Bitterroot Mountains. The snow was fierce, and along with the looming threat of starvation, it put the entire expedition in peril. They came out of the Mountains eleven days later. “began to Snow…by night we found it from 6 to 8 Inches deep I walked in front…in maney places the Snow had entirely filled up the track, and obliged me to hunt Several minits for the track” –Clark "Continues a verry cold Snow Storm.” -Whitehouse -
A spot where the expedition was significantly aided by the help of a native tribe.
In late September, the Nez Percé decided to help the explorers. They show them how to use fire and make canoes. As noted in the journal entry, they also helped them by making them charts and making them a map. “Sent out all the hunters early in different directions to Kill Something and delayed with the Indians to prevent Suspicion & to acquire as much information as possible. one of them Drew me a Chart…informed me of the falls below …I gave him a Medal.” -Clark -
Experience with a Sioux Tribe
On this day, the company entered Sioux territory and came upon over a hundred Sioux Indians, who had blocked the river. Lewis and Clark got off their boat and conversed with the Sioux chiefs. There was nearly a fight, but they finally let them pass at the price of a boat. "Septr. 25th I with th Chief & 2 young men went down to hunt timber for Canoes— proceeded on down to the forks...hot day" --Clark -
An experience that occurred in present day Idaho
In Idaho (present day Orofino), the Corps of discovery reach the Clearwater river. They then push their new canoes into it. Later that month, they reached the Columbia river. “a fair morning. we put the other three canoes in to the River and got them in readiness and loaded them. about 3 oClock P. m. we Set out on our way to descend the River.”--Whitehouse -
An experience at Fort Clatsop
The Corps of Discovery celebrates Chritmas at fort Clatsop. The fort was named after an Indian tribe in the area. Lewis and Clark give out Chistmas presents of tobacco and handkerchiefs. "Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke collected what tobacco remained, and divided it amongst those who used tobacco, as Christmas-gift; to the others they gave handkerchiefs in lieu of it." --Gass -
A spot where the expedition experienced a peaceful trade exchange with a native tribe.
In May, the Corps of Discovery stayed near a Nez Percé village while they waited for the snow in the Bitterroots to melt. The Indians traded with them and provided them with food. The expedition will have finished crossing the mountains for the second time by early July. “Thursday June 5th 1806. Colter and Bratton were permitted to visit the indian villages today for the purpose of trading for roots and bread, they were fortunate and made a good return.” -Lewis -
An incident where someone from the expedition killed a person from a native tribe.
This was the only time members of the expedition killed someone. Members of the expedition find some Blackfoot Indians trying to steal their supplies and weapons. A fight broke out and two Blackfeet were killed. “J. Fields who was on post had carelessly laid his gun down behid him near where his brother was sleeping, one of the indians … sliped behind him and took his gun… J. Fields…seized his gun stabed the indian.” -Lewis -
The End of the Expedition
The Journey reached its end on this date. The Corps of Discovery reached St. Louis after having been gone nearly two and a half years. They had been given up for dead. "About 12 oClock we arived in Site of St. Louis fired three Rounds as we approached the Town and landed oppocit the center of the Town, the people gathred on the Shore and Huzzared three cheers." -Ordway
