-
Expedition Starts
The expedition sets of from Camp Dubois at four P.M. for the Mississippi River. -
Charles Floyd dies
The only casualty on the expedition, Charles Floyd died of a ruptured appendix. He was buried on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The explorer's death was described by Clark as "one with composure." -
Expedition meets the Sioux
The expedition meets the Yankton Sioux tribe. Supposedly, Lewis took a native baby, wrapped him in an American flag, and declared to those present that this baby was "an American." -
Expedition parties with Sioux Chiefs
Due to language translation issues, the expedition could not communicate with a number of Sioux chiefs. Instead, they offered them whiskey and boated up to the next camp, where they were welcomed and the natives held a scalp dance. -
Expedition begins building Fort Mandan
The expedition began to build Fort Mandan across the river from a Mandan-Hidatsa village. -
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau is Born
Sacajawea gave birth to the child of Toussaint Charbonneau. Lewis helped deliver the baby. Supposedly, a rattlesnake rattle was used in the delivery. -
Storm capsizes boat, nearly destroys Lewis's notes
During a storm, one of the expedition's boats tipped. The boat was holding much of the expedition's journals. Sacajawea dived into the river and retrieved most of the materials. -
Bear sneaks up on Lewis
While Lewis was out hunting, he shot an Elk. While he was waiting, a bear snuck up on him. He ran back to camp, and the bear left him alone. -
Expedition encounters the Shoshone
Lewis talked with Cameawait, the chief of a local Shoshone tribe. -
Expedition enters Idaho
The expedition crosses the continental divide and enters Idaho through the Lemhi pass. This marks the first time Americans set foot in Idaho. -
Expedition winters at Fort Clatsop
Lewis noted that during the winter, many of his men fell sick, usually due to influenza. Over the winter, the expedition made 338 pairs of moccasins. -
Native killed
Two members if the Pikani tribe were killed when they attacked the party and tried to steal rifles. This marked the only time that natives were killed during the whole expedition. -
Jefferson cultivates corn from the Expedition
In the months following the expedition's return, Jefferson cultivated the samples of corn brought back form the expedition at Monticello. The resulting specimens he described as being an "excellent" food source.
