William Clark Timeline

By Lucas Hurst

  • August 1, 1770

    August 1, 1770
    William Clark was born in Ladysmith, Virginia. His parents were John Clark ІІІ and Ann Rogers Clark. He had nine Siblings

  • September 10, 1789

    September 10, 1789
    At age nineteen William Clark joins volunteer militia. He joined under Major John Hardin. He was then commissioned as a captain in the Clarksville, Indiana militia

  • July 4, 1803

    July 4, 1803
    News of the expedition is announced. Lewis and Clark are now going to explore the land of the Louisiana Purchase. They are looking for terrain, agriculture, and threats.

  • July 4, 1804

    July 4, 1804
    This was a huge party because it was the first independence day, but sadly, with no fireworks.

  • August 20, 1804

    August 20, 1804
    Sergeant Charles Floyd dies of natural causes near present-day Sioux City, Iowa. He will be the only fatality among the Corps of Discovery during the expedition.

  • June 13, 1805

    June 13, 1805
    Lewis and Clark reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri—five massive cascades around which the men must carry all of their gear, including the canoes. The canoes were made of hollowed out tree trunks, and were heavy.

  • October 7, 1805

    October 7, 1805
    After learning a new method to make dugout canoes from the Nez Perce, the men push off down the Clearwater River near Orofino, Idaho. It is the first time they've traveled with the current at their back in almost two years.

  • July 26-27, 1806

    July 26-27, 1806
    While making their way back to the Missouri, Lewis' party encounters eight Blackfeet Warriors. They camp together, but the morning of the 27th the party catches the blackfeet attempting to steal their horses and guns. During a fight two of the Blackfeet were killed.

  • Fall, 1806

    Fall, 1806
    Lewis and Clark are treated as national heroes. They return to Washington, D.C. The men receive double pay and 320 acres of land as reward, the captains get 1,600 acres. Lewis is named governor of the Louisiana Territory, Clark is made Indian agent for the West and brigadier general of the territory's militia.

  • September 1, 1838

    September 1, 1838
    William Clark dies at the home of his eldest son, Meriwether Lewis Clark. William Clark had married Julia "Judith" Hancock for whom he had named a river while on the expedition.