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 Researched by Holli S. |
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Basic Info
The Lewis and Clark expedition started on March 14, 1804 in St. Louis,
Missouri. The Corps traveled over 8,000 miles and made over 200 camps.
The Corps contained 50 good trained men, 1 woman and 1 dog. During the
expedition 100 different plants and animals were found. The Corps met
150 Indian tribes. The expedition ended on September 23, 1806 back in
St.Louis Missouri. This expedition was lead by Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark.
The History of Lewis and Clark
“The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river, and such
principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the
waters of the Pacific Ocean… may offer the most direct and practicable
water communication across this continent.” Thomas Jefferson told
Meriwether Lewis on June 20, 1803. Another reason for the expedition
was to explore the new land that came with the Louisiana
Purchase.
Outcomes
Some of the good outcomes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were that
the U.S claimed Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and many other U.S states.
Another good outcome is that more of the people moved to the western
and northern states.
Some of the bad outcomes were that the Indians fought mini wars with
the settlers, lost, and had to go to Indian reservations all across our
country.
Lewis
Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County,
Virginia. His stepfather took the family to Georgia. In Georgia when
Lewis was 8 he went hunting in the dead of night by himself. Lewis left
and went back to Virginia when he was 15. When in Virginia he went to
school for 5 years which was a respectable amount of time back then.
When he was 20 Lewis went into the army. Then when Lewis was 23 he left
the army to become President Jefferson’s secret secretary.
Clark
William Clark was born on August 1, 1770 in Caroline, Virginia. It was
a wonder that Lewis and Clark never met before the expedition began in
1804. It was surprising that Lewis and Clark didn’t meet until the
expedition because both families knew the Jefferson’s and were living
in towns close to each other. Then Clark moved to Kentucky, but did not
go to school because of the danger from the wars against. Indian
tribes. He mastered the skills of hunting, fishing, tracking, camping,
and navigation in the area around his house
Sacagawea
Sacagawea was a great woman. The corps obtained her and her husband
Scharboneau at the Mandan village during the winter. She would be able
to translate for her people more up the river. Her brother was the
chief for her Indian tribe. During the expedition she had a baby, which
the party nicknamed Pomp. On the way back she died in Mandan.
Thomas Jefferson was born sometime in 1743. He went to college for two
years at William and Mary College. Then he went into his own law
practice. He was very, very, good at writing but he wasn’t the best at
speaking. Thomas Jefferson became
President in 1800. He bought the Louisiana territory and wanted
to explore the land that he bought for his country. Thomas also wanted
to see if the Missouri River and other waterways were the fastest way
to the Pacific Ocean.
The Corps went through Sioux country. This included the Yankee Sioux
and other Sioux Indian tribes. They also went over Lolo pass. It took
them over snow-capped mountains and forced them to eat a few horses.
Though the meat was tough it helped the Corps to get over the mountains
alive. The mountains led them to the Nez’ Perce who gave them food
which they happily took. The Nez’ Perce also told them how to pull up
plant roots and which parts to eat.
On the way back the group split into two halves.
Lewis took the South group and Clark took the North group.
With Lewis the first violent Indian meeting took place with the
Blackfoot. The Blackfoot are an Indian tribe that lives along the Mayas
River. The Indians took two of the group’s horses and some food. The
result was that Lewis killed two of them.
Clark’s group found a big rock next to the
Yellowstone River, which they called “Pomp’s Tower” after Sacagawea’s
son Pomp, or Joseph. Clark left an inscription that says “Wm. Clark
July 25, 1806” which is still there today.
Some of the gifts that the Indians got during the
meetings were combs, Bibles, quills, tents, rings, earrings, other
types of jewelry, string, beads, lamps, shears, blankets, moccasins,
needles, fish hooks, horns, tomahawks, knives, food, pots, seeds, and
tools to build with. The total amount of all the supplies was a
whopping $669.50
Some of the supplies for medical needs were medicines, shears, scalpel,
medical string, needles, and 20 inches by 15 inches of white gauze,
ointment, pine, walnut, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and Gum Elastic. The
total cost was $ 90.69.
Some of their scientific tools were microscopes, slates, sextants,
magnets, compass and thermometers.
Some of the provisions needed were sugar, 193 pounds of soup, wine,
blankets, overalls, candles, salt, coffee, soap, shoes, parchment,
flour and beans. The total of cost of everything was $370.50.
Some of the Guns and ammunition were 400 pounds sheet lead, pistols,
rifles, 176 pounds gunpowder, horns, pouches, tomahawks, knives and
brushes. The total cost was $218.33.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was an important part of United States
history. If it weren’t for them, we might not be living in the
northwestern part of our land.
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