March – September 1806
Return Journey
Departing Fort Clatsop on March 23, 1806, the Corps retraced their route eastward, splitting into separate parties to explore the Marias and Yellowstone Rivers. Lewis survived a shooting accident and a confrontation with Blackfeet warriors. The expedition reunited and arrived triumphantly in St. Louis on September 23, 1806.
325
Journal Entries
33
Key Figures
18
Wildlife & Plants
5
Artwork
26
Weapons & Equipment
11
Documents
Explore the Trail
See the 360° panoramic trail covering 4,300 miles of the Lewis & Clark route
Journal Entries
325 itemsClark at Pompeys Pillar
At 4 P.M. arrived at a remarkable rock situated in an extensive bottom on the Stard. Side of the River. This rock I shall call Pompy's Tower, after the young Shoshone boy. I marked my name and the day of the month & year.
Clark: April 1, 1806
Tuesday April 1st 1806 This morning early we dispatched Sergt. Pryor, with two men in a Small canoe up quick sand river with orders to proceed as far as he…
Clark: April 10, 1806
Thursday April 10th 1806 Collins went out in the bottom to hunt agreeable to the order of last evening, and gibsons Crew was derected to delay for Collins dureing which…
Clark: April 12, 1806
Saturday April 12th 1806. rained the greater part of the last night and this morning untile 10 A.M. we employed all hands in attempting to take up the lost Canoe.…
Clark: April 13, 1806
Sunday April 13th 1806 The loss of one of our large Canoes rendered it necessary to divide the loading and men of that Canoe between the remaining four, which was…
Clark: April 14, 1806
Monday April 14th 1806 This morning at 7 oClock we were joined by Sgt. Pryor and they three hunters they brought with them 4 deer which drewyer had killed yesterday.…
Clark: April 15, 1806
Tuesday April 15th 1806 We delayed this morning untill after brackfast in order to purchase Some horses of the Indians; accordingly we exposed Some articles in exchange for horses the…
Clark: April 16, 1806
April 16th 1806 Crossed the river and Sent Drewyer & Goodrich to the Skil lute village to envite the Indians to trade horses with us, also sent Frazer & Shabono…
Clark: April 17, 1806
April 17th 1806 I rose early and took a position near to the village and exposed the artiles I had for Sale Great numbers of Indians Came from different derections,…
Clark: April 18, 1806
April 18th 1806 early this morning I was awoke by a Indian from the nieghbourhood of our horses, he had he arived here yesterday & this morning found a Small…
Clark: April 19, 1806
April 19th 1806 this morning early Some rain had the Small Canoes hauled out to dry every man Capable of Carrying a load Comencd the portage and by 5 P.…
Clark: April 2, 1806
Wednesday April 2nd 1806 This morning we came to a resolution to remain at our present encampment or Some where in this neighbourhood untill we had obtained as much dried…
Clark: April 20, 1806
April 20th 1806 This morning very Cold hills covered with Snow. I Showed the nativs what I had to give for their horses and attempted to purchase them. they informed…
Clark: April 21, 1806
April 21st 1806 a fair Cold morning. I find it useless to offer any articles or attempt to trade at this village and therefore deturmine to ____ before I rose…
Clark: April 22, 1806
Tuesday 22nd of April 1806 last night 2 of our horses broke loose and Strayed of at a Short dis-tance. at 7 oClock we loaded up and Set out, haveing…
Clark: April 23, 1806
Wednesday 23rd 1806 at day light this morning we were informed that the two horses of our interpreter Shabono were missing on enquirey we were informed that he had neglected…
Clark: April 24, 1806
Thursday 24th April 1806 rose early this morning and Sent out after the horses all of which were found except McNeals which I hired an Indian to find and gave…
Clark: April 25, 1806
Friday 25th of April 1806 This morning we Collected our horses very conveniently and Set out at 9 A M and proceeded on to a village of Pish-quit-pahs of 52…
Clark: April 26, 1806
Saturday April 26th 1806 This morning early we proceeded on and at the distance of three miles entered a low leavel plain Country of great extent. here the river hills…
Clark: April 27, 1806
Sunday April 27th 1806. This morning we were detained untill 9 A M in consequence of the absence of one of Shabono’s horses. the horse being at length recovered we…
Clark: April 28, 1806
Monday April 28th 1806 This morning early the Great Chief Yel lip pet brought a very eligant white horse to our Camp and presented him to me Signifying his wish…
Clark: April 29, 1806
Tuesday April 29th 1806 This Morning Yelleppit furnished us with 2 Canoes, and We began to transport our baggage over the river; we also Sent a party of the men…
Clark: April 3, 1806
Thursday April 3rd 1806 The water had fallen in the course of last night five inches. I Set out and proceeded up a Short distance and attempted a Second time…
Clark: April 30, 1806
Wednesday April 30th 1806. This morning we had Some dificuelty in Collecting our horses notwithstanding we had hobbled & Picqueted those we obtained of those people. we purchased two other…
Clark: April 4, 1806
Friday April 4th 1806. Mouth of quick Sand River This morning early we Sent Sergt. Ordway in Serch of Sergt. Gass and party below the enterance of quick Sand river…
Clark: April 5, 1806
Saturday April 5th 1806. This morning was So Cloudy that we could not obtain any lunar observations with a Aquila as we wished. Joseph Field & Drewrey left us this…
Clark: April 6, 1806
Sunday April 6th 1806. Two Indians Came last night very late to our Camp and continued all night. early we had all the meat packed up and our Canoes loaded…
Clark: April 7, 1806
Monday April 7th 1806 This morning Drewyer & the two Fields Set out agreeably to their orders of last evening, the remainder of the party employed in drying the flesh…
Clark: April 8, 1806
Tuesday April 8th 1806 This morning about day light I heard a Considerable roreing like wind at a distance and in the Course of a Short time ways rose very…
Clark: April 9, 1806
Wednesday April 9th 1806 last night at a late hour the old amsiated Indian who was detected in Stealing a Spoon yesterday, Crept upon his belley with his hands and…
Clark: August 1, 1806
Sunday 1st of August 1806. We Set out early as usial the wind was high and ahead which caused the water to be a little rough and delayed us very…
Clark: August 10, 1806
Tuesday 10th August 1806 had the flesh of the elk hung on poles to dry, and Sent out the the hunters. wind blew hard from the East all day. in…
Clark: August 12, 1806
Thursday 12th August 1806 I set out early this morning and had not proceeded on far before Shannon discovered he had lost his Tomahk. I derected him to land his…
Clark: August 13, 1806
Friday 13th August 1806 the last night was very Cold with a Stiff breeze from the N. W. all hands were on board and we Set out at Sunrize and…
Clark: August 14, 1806
Thursday 14th August 1806 Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on. when we were opposit the Minetares Grand Village we Saw a number of the Nativs viewing of we derected…
Clark: August 15, 1806
Thursday August 15th 1806 Continued Mandans Vilg after assembling the Chiefs and Smokeing one pipe, I informed them that I Still Spoke the Same words which we had Spoken to…
Clark: August 16, 1806
Friday 16th August 1806 a cool morning. Sent up Sergt. Pryor to the mandan village, for Some Corn which they offered to give us. he informed that they had more…
Clark: August 18, 1806
Monday 18th August 1806. moderate rain last night, the wind of this morning from the S. E. as to cause the water to be So rough that we Could not…
Clark: August 19, 1806
Tuesday 19th of August 1806 Some rain last night and this morning the wind rose and blew with great Violence untill 4 P. M and as our camp was on…
Clark: August 2, 1806
Monday August 2nd 1806. Musquetors very troublesom this morning I Set out early river wide and very much divided by islands and Sand and Mud bars. the bottoms more extencive…
Clark: August 20, 1806
Wednesday 20th of August 1806 a violent hard rain about day light this morning. all wet except myself and the indians. we embarked a little after Sun rise wind moderate…
Clark: August 21, 1806
Thursday 21st August 1806 Musquetors very troublesom in the early part of last night and again this morning I directed Sergt. Ordway to proceed on to where there was Some…
Clark: August 22, 1806
Friday 22nd August 1806. rained all the last night every person and all our bedding wet, the Morning cloudy, at 8 A M. I was requested to go to the…
Clark: August 23, 1806
Saturday 23rd August 1806 We Set out very early, the wind rose & became very hard, we passed the Sar-war-kar-na-har river at 10 A. M and at half past eleven…
Clark: August 24, 1806
Sunday 24th August 1806 a fair morning we Set out as usial about Sunrise and proceeded on untill 2 P M when the wind blew So hard from the N.…
Clark: August 25, 1806
Monday 25th August 1806 a cool clear morning a Stiff breeze ahead we Set out at the usial hour and proceeded on very well. I derected Shields Collins Shannon and…
Clark: August 26, 1806
Tuesday 26th of August 1806 a heavy dew this morning the hunters or Shannon & the 2 fields came up at Sunrise and we Set out, they had killed only…
Clark: August 27, 1806
Wednesday 27th Augt. 1806 Set out before Sunrise a Stiff breeze a head from the East proceeded to the enterance of Tylors river on the S W Side and landed…
Clark: August 28, 1806
Thursday 28th of August 1806 Capt Lewis had a bad nights rest and is not very well this morning. we Set out early and proceded on very well, Saw a…
Clark: August 29, 1806
Friday 29th August 1806 a cloudy morning the hunters proceeded on agreeable to their orders of last night. I Sent out two men to the village of barking Squirels with…
Clark: August 3, 1806
Tueday August 3rd,1806. last night the Musquetors was so troublesom that no one of the party Slept half the night. for my part I did not Sleep one hour. those…
Clark: August 30, 1806
Saturday 30th of August 1806 Capt. Lewis is mending Slowly. we set out at the usial hour and proceeded on very well a fiew miles Jo Field who was on…
Clark: August 31, 1806
Saturday 31st August 1806 all wet and disagreeable this morning. at half past 11 last night the wind Shifted about to the N. W. and it began to rain with…
Clark: August 4, 1806
Wednesday 4th August 1806 Musquetors excessively troublesom So much So that the men complained that they could not work at their Skins for those troublesom insects. and I find it…
Clark: August 5, 1806
Thursday 5th August 1806. The Musquetors was So troublesom to the men last night that they Slept but very little. indeed they were excessive troublesom to me. my Musquetor Bear…
Clark: August 6, 1806
Friday 6th August 1806 I rose very wet. about 11 P M last night the wind become very hard for a fiew minits Suckceeded by Sharp lightning and hard Claps…
Clark: August 7, 1806
Saturday 7th August 1806 Some hard rain this morning after daylight which wet us all. I formed a Sort of Camped and delayed untill 11 a.m. when it Stoped raining…
Clark: August 8, 1806
Sunday 8th August 1806 A cool windey morning I derected Shields and Gibson to turn out and hunt this morning. at 8 A.M. Sergt. N. Pryor Shannon, hall & Windsor…
Clark: August 9, 1806
Monday 9th August 1806 a heavy dew this morning. loaded the Canoes and proceeded on down about 6 miles and landed at the Camp of the 2 hunters Shields and…
Clark: July 1, 1806
Tuesday July 1st 1806 on Clark’s river We Sent out all the hunters very early this morning by 12 OClock they all returned haveing killd. 12 Deer Six of them…
Clark: July 10, 1806
Thursday July 10th 1806 last night was very cold and this morning everything was white with frost and the grass Stiff frozend. I had Some water exposed in a bason…
Clark: July 11, 1806
Friday 11th July 1806 Sent on 4 of the best hunters in 2 Canoes to proceed on a fiew miles a head and hunt untill I came up with them,…
Clark: July 12, 1806
Saturday 12th,July 1806 Sergt. Pryor did not join me last night he has proceeded on down. the beaver was flacking in the river about us all the last night. this…
Clark: July 13, 1806
Sunday 13th July 1806 Set out early this morning and proceded on very well to the enterance of Madicines river at our old Encampment of the 27th July last at…
Clark: July 14, 1806
Monday 14th July 1806 Sent Sheilds a head to kill a deer for our brackfast and at an early hour Set out with the party Crossed Gallitines river which makes…
Clark: July 15, 1806
Tuesday 15th July 1806 we collected our horses and after an early brackft at 8 A M Set out and proceeded up the branch to the head thence over a…
Clark: July 16, 1806
Wednesday 16th July 1806 I gave Labeech promission to proceed on early this morning a head and kill a fat Elk or Buffalow. our horses haveing rambled to a long…
Clark: July 17, 1806
Thursday 17th July 1806 The rain of last night wet us all. I had the horses all Collected early and Set out, proceeded ove the point of a ridge and…
Clark: July 18, 1806
Friday 18th July 1806 as we were about Setting out this morning two Buffalow Bulls came near our Camp Several of the men Shot at one of them. their being…
Clark: July 19, 1806
Saturday 19th July 1806. I rose early and dressed Gibsons wound. he Slept but very little last night and complains of great pain in his Knee and hip as well…
Clark: July 2, 1806
Wednesday July 2nd 1806 Sent out 2 hunters this morning and they killed 2 Deer. the Musquetors has been So troublesom day and night Since our arrival in this Vally…
Clark: July 20, 1806
Sunday 20th July 1806 I directed Sergt. Pryor and Shields each of them good judges of timber to proceed on down the river Six or 8 miles and examine the…
Clark: July 21, 1806
Monday 21st July 1806 This morning I was informed that Half of our horses were absent. Sent out Shannon Bratten, and Shabono to hunt them. Shabono went up the river…
Clark: July 22, 1806
Tuesday 22nd of July 1806. The wind continued to blow very hard from the N. E. and a little before day light was moderately Cool. I Sent Sergt. Pryor and…
Clark: July 23, 1806
Wednesday 23rd July 1806. last night the wolves or dogs came into our Camp and eat the most of our dryed meat which was on a scaffold Labeech went out…
Clark: July 24, 1806
Thursday 24th July 1806. had all our baggage put on board of the two Small Canoes which when lashed together is very Study and I am Convinced will the party…
Clark: July 26, 1806
Saturday 26th July 1806. Set out this morning very early proceeded on Passed Creeks very well. the Current of the river reagulilarly Swift much divided by Stoney islands and bars…
Clark: July 28, 1806
Monday 28th July 1806. Set out this morning at day light and proceeded on glideing down this Smooth Stream passing maney Isld. and Several Creeks and brooks at 6 miles…
Clark: July 29, 1806
Tuesday 29th July 1806 a Slight rain last night with hard thunder and Sharp lightening accompanied with a violent N. E. wind. I Set out early this morning wind So…
Clark: July 3, 1806
Thursday July 3rd 1806 we colected our horses and after brackfast I took My leave of Capt Lewis and the indians and at 8 A M Set out with ____…
Clark: July 30, 1806
Friday 30th July 1806 Set out early this morning at 12 miles arived at the Commencement of Shoals the Chanel on the Stard Side near a high bluff. passed a…
Clark: July 31, 1806
Saturday 31st of July 1806 I was much disturbed last night by the noise of the buffalow which were about me. one gang Swam the river near our Camp which…
Clark: July 4, 1806
Friday July 4th 1806 I order three hunters to Set out early this morning to hunt & kill Some meat and by 7 A.M. we Collected our horses took braekfast…
Clark: July 5, 1806
Saturday July 5th 1806 I rose at day light this morning despatched Labeash after a Buck which he killed late last evening; and I with the three men who I…
Clark: July 6, 1806
Sunday 6th July 1806 Some frost this morning the last night was so cold that I could not Sleep. we Collected our horses which were much scattered which detained us…
Clark: July 7, 1806
Monday 7th July 1806 This morning our horses were very much Scattered; I Sent out men in every direction in Serch of them. they brought all except 9 by 6…
Clark: July 8, 1806
Tuesday July 8th 1806 Our horses being Scattered we were detained unill 8 A. M before we Set out. we proceeded on down Willards Creek on the S.W. Side about…
Clark: July 9, 1806
Wednesday 9th July 1806 rose early had the horses brought up. after which I had the Canoes raised washed, brough down and drawn up on Shore to dry and repard.…
Clark: June 1, 1806
Sunday June 1st 1806. Late last evening Shabono & Lapage returnd. haveing made a broken voyage. they assended the river on this Side nearly opposit to the Village Eight miles…
Clark: June 10, 1806
Tuesday June 10th 1806. rose early this morning and had all the horses Collected except one of Whitehouses horses which could not be found, an Indian promised to find the…
Clark: June 11, 1806
Wednesday June 11th 1806 All of our hunters were out by daylight this Morning. Labeech and Shann was the only Suckcessull hunters, Labeech killed a Black bear and a large…
Clark: June 12, 1806
Thursday June 12th 1806. All our hunters except Gibson returned about noon; none of them had killed any thing except Shields who brought with him two deer. in the evening…
Clark: June 13, 1806
Friday June 13th 1806. Ordered Rubin Fields and Willard to proceed on to a Small prarie in the Mountains about 8 miles and there hunt untill we arrive the Set…
Clark: June 14, 1806
Saturday June 14th 1806 Sent out Hunters this morning Colter killed a deer and brought it in by 10 A M Drewyer did not return untill night he wounded deer…
Clark: June 15, 1806
Sunday June 15th 1806 Collected our horses early with the intention of makeing an early Start. Some hard Showers of rain detained us untill ____ A M at which time…
Clark: June 16, 1806
Monday June 16th 1806 Collected our horses early and Set Out 7 A M proceeded on up the Creek through a gladey Swompy bottom with grass and quawmash Crossed the…
Clark: June 17, 1806
Tuesday June 17th 1806 We Collected our horses and Set out early; we proceeded down hungary Creek about 7 miles passing it twice; we found it dificuelt and dangerous to…
Clark: June 18, 1806
Wednesday June 18th 1806 This morning we had considerable dificuelty in collecting our horses they haveing Strageled of to a considerable distance in Serch of food on the Sides of…
Clark: June 19, 1806
Thursday June 19th 1806 This morning early Collins Labeesh & Crusat turned out to hunt, and Gibson & Colter fixed two Indian giggs and went in Serch of fish in…
Clark: June 2, 1806
Monday June 2nd 1806 McNeal and York were Sent on a tradeing voyage over the river this morning. having exhosted all our Merchendize we were obliged to have recourse to…
Clark: June 20, 1806
Friday June 20th 1806 The hunters turned out early in different directions, our guiggers also turned out with 2 guigs a Bayonet fixed on a pole, a Scooping nett and…
Clark: June 21, 1806
Saturday June 21st 1806 We collected our horses early and Set out on our return to the flatts. we all felt Some mortification in being thus compelled to retrace our…
Clark: June 22, 1806
Sunday June 22nd 1806 This morning by light all hands who Could hunt were Sent out, the result of the days performance was greater than we had even hopes for.…
Clark: June 23, 1806
Monday June 23rd 1806 Apprehensive from Drewyer & Shannons delay that they had met with Some dif icuelty in precureing a guide, and also that the two indians who had…
Clark: June 24, 1806
Tuesday June 24th 1806 We collected our horses early this morning and Set out accompanied by our 3 guides. Colter joined us this morning haveing killed a Bear, which from…
Clark: June 25, 1806
Wednesday June 25th 1806 last evening the indians entertained us with Setting the fir trees on fire. they have a great number of dry limbs near their bodies which when…
Clark: June 27, 1806
Friday June 27th 1806 We collected our horses early and Set out. the road Still Continue on the hights of the Dividing ridge on which we had traveled yesterday for…
Clark: June 28, 1806
Saturday June 28th 1806 This morning we Colected our horses and Set out as usial after an early brackfast. we continued our rout along the dividig ridge over knobs &…
Clark: June 29, 1806
Sunday June 29th 1806 We colected our horses and Set out haveing previously dispatched Drewyer & R. Field to the Warm Springs to hunt. we prosued the hights of the…
Clark: June 3, 1806
Tuesday June 3rd 1806 Our invalids are all on the recovery; bratten is much Stronger and can walk about with Considerable ease. the Indian Chief appears to be gradually recovering…
Clark: June 30, 1806
Monday June 30th 1806 We dispatched Drewyer & Jo. Field early this morning ahead to hunt. just as we had prepard. to set out at an early hour, a deer…
Clark: June 4, 1806
Wednesday June 4th 1806 about noon the 3 chiefs left us and returned to their villages. While they were with us we repeeted the promisces we had formerly made them…
Clark: June 5, 1806
Thursday June 5th 1806 Colter and Bratten were permitted to visit the Indian Village to day for the purpose of tradeing for roots and bread, they were fortunate and made…
Clark: June 6, 1806
Friday June 6th 1806 I visited the Broken Arm to day agreeable to my promis of the 4th inst. and took with me Drewyer & three other men I was…
Clark: June 7, 1806
Saurday June 7th 1806. The two young cheafs and other Indians who accompanied them Crossed the river and returned to their Village this morning after brackfast; Shabono Sergt Gass McNeal,…
Clark: June 8, 1806
Sunday June 8th 1806 Drewyer returned this morning from the chase without killing any thing. his horse left him last night and he prosued him near our camp before he…
Clark: June 9, 1806
Moday June 9th 1806 We had all of our horses brought up and attempted to exchange our Sore back and most indifferent horses with the indians for Sound back horses,…
Clark: March 24, 1806
Monday 24th of March 1806 Sent out 15 men verry early this morning for the flesh of the two Elk killed by Drewyer and Fields yesterday. they returned at 8…
Clark: March 25, 1806
Tuesday 25th of March 1806 Last night and this morning are cool wend hard a head and tide going out, after an early brackfast we proceeded on about 4 miles…
Clark: March 26, 1806
Wednesday March 26th 1806 The wind blew So hard untill 8 A M. that we detained, we gave a Medal to a Man by the name of Wal-lal-le a principal…
Clark: March 27, 1806
Thursday March 27th 1806. a rainey disagreeable night rained the greater part of the night we Set out this morning verry early and proceeded on to two houses of the…
Clark: March 28, 1806
Friday March 28th 1806 This morning we Set out verry early and at 9 A.M. arived at an old Indian Village on the N E side of Deer island where…
Clark: March 29, 1806
Saturday March 29th 1806 we Set out very early this morning and proceeded to the head of deer island and took brackfast. the morning was very cold wind Sharp and…
Clark: March 30, 1806
Sunday March 30th 1806 we got under way verry early and had not proceeded to the head of the island before we met with the three men of the Clan-nar-min-a-mon’s…
Clark: March 31, 1806
Monday March 31st 1806 we Set out this morning and proceeded untill 8 oClock when we landed on the N. Side opposit one large House of the Shah-ha-la Nation near…
Clark: May 1, 1806
Thursday May 1st 1806. This morning we collected our horses and made an early Start, haveing preveously Sent a hed 4 hunters with derections to proceed up the Creek and…
Clark: May 10, 1806
Saturday 10th of May 1806 This morning the Snow continued falling untill 1/2 past 6 A M when it Seased. the air keen and Cold the Snow 8 inches deep…
Clark: May 11, 1806
Sunday 11th May 1806 Some little rain last night. we were Crouded in the Lodge with Indians who continued all night and this morning Great numbers were around us. The…
Clark: May 12, 1806
Monday 12th May 1806 a fine Morning great number of Indians flock about us as usial. after brackfast I began to administer eye water and in a fiew minits had…
Clark: May 13, 1806
Tuesday 13th May 1806. a fine morning I administered to the Sick and gave directions. we collected all our horses and Set out at 1 P.M. and proceeded down the…
Clark: May 14, 1806
Wednesday 14th of May 1806 a fine day. we had all our horses Collected by 10 a.m. dureing the time we had all our baggage Crossed over the Flat head…
Clark: May 15, 1806
Thursday 15th of May 1806 This morning Reubin Fields went out to hunt his horse very early and Saw a large bear and no great distance from Camp. Several men…
Clark: May 16, 1806
Friday 16th May 1806 a cloudy morning with Some rain which continued untill Meridean at intervales, but very moderately. a man and boy Came to our Camp at 11 A.…
Clark: May 17, 1806
Saturday 17th May 1806 rained moderately all the last night and this morning untill we are wet. The little river on which we are encamped rise Sepriseingly fast. at 9…
Clark: May 18, 1806
Sunday 18th May 1806 Cloudy morning 12 hunters turned out this morning in different directions agreeably to the order of yesterday. Potts and Whitehouse accompanied Collins to the bear which…
Clark: May 19, 1806
Monday 19th May 1806 Rained this morning untill 8 oClock when it Cleared off and became fair-. we Sent Shabono, Thomson, Potts, Hall & Wizer over to the Villages above…
Clark: May 2, 1806
Friday May 2nd 1806 This morning we dispatched two hunters a head. we had much dificuelty in Collecting our horses. at 8 A.M. we obtained them all except the horse…
Clark: May 20, 1806
Tuesday 20th May 1806 rained the greater part of the last night and this morning untill meridean when it Cleared away for an hour and began to rain and rained…
Clark: May 21, 1806
Wednesday 21st May 1806 rained this morning. Shields and Gibson Set out to hunt towards the mountains. Collins Came in to day and Stayed in about two hours, he has…
Clark: May 22, 1806
Thursday 22nd May 1806 a fine day we exposed all our baggage to the Sun to air and dry, also our roots which we have precured of the nativs. gave…
Clark: May 23, 1806
Friday 23rd May 1806 a fair morning. Sergt. Pryor wounded a Deer at a lick near our Camp and our dog prosued it into the river. two Indians which happened…
Clark: May 24, 1806
Saturday 24th May 1806 a fine morning the Child was very restless last night its jaw and back of its neck is much more Swelled than it was yesterday. I…
Clark: May 25, 1806
Sunday 25th May 1806 rained moderately the greater part of last night and this morning untill 6 A.M. The child is not So well to day as yesterday. I repeeted…
Clark: May 26, 1806
Monday 26th May 1806 Some Small Showers of rain last night, and continued Cloudy this morning untill 7 A. M when it Cleared away and became fair and worm. Collins…
Clark: May 27, 1806
Tuesday 27th May 1806 A cloudy morning Serjt. Pryor and party Set out at 7 A.M. Serjt. Ordway and two men are ordered to cross this river and proceed on…
Clark: May 28, 1806
Wednesday May 28th 1806 We sent Goodrich to the Village of the broken Arm for hair to Stuff Saddle pads. Jo. & R. Fields Set out this morning to hunt…
Clark: May 29, 1806
Thursday 29th of May 1806 No movement of the party to day worthy of notice. we have once more a good Stock of Meat and roots. Bratten is recovering his…
Clark: May 3, 1806
Saturday 3rd May 1806 This morning we Set out at 7 A.M. Steared N. 25° E 12 m. to Kimoo e nimm Creek through a high leavel plain this Creek…
Clark: May 30, 1806
Friday May 30th 1806. Lapage and Shabono Set out early this morning to the Indian Village in order to trade with them for roots; Serjt. Gass was Sent this morning…
Clark: May 31, 1806
Saturday May 31st 1806 Goodrich and Willard visited the indian Village this morning and returned in the evening Willard brought with him the dressed Skin of a bear which he…
Clark: May 4, 1806
Sunday May 4th 1806 Collected our horses and Set out early; the morning was Cold and disagreeable. we assended the Larboard Hill of the Creek and Steared N 60° E…
Clark: May 5, 1806
Monday May 5th 1806 Collected our horses and Set out at 7 A M. at 41/2 ms. we arived at the enterance of Kooskooske, up the N E. Side of…
Clark: May 6, 1806
Tuesday May 6th 1806 This morning the Susband of the Sick woman was as good as his word. he produced us a young horse in tolerable order which we imedeately…
Clark: May 7, 1806
Wednesday May 7th 1806 This morning we collected our horses and Set out early accompanied by the brother of the twisted hair as a guide; Wearkkoomt and his party left…
Clark: May 8, 1806
Thursday 8th of May 1806. This morning our hunters was out by the time it was light. about 8 oClock Shields brought in a Small deer, on which we brackfast…
Clark: May 9, 1806
Friday 9th May 1806 The hunters Set out very early agreeable to their derections. we were detained untill 9 A.M. for our horses which were much Scattered at which time…
Clark: September 1, 1806
Monday 1st of September 1806 Musquitors very troublesom last night, we set out at the usial hour and had not proceeded on far before the fog became So thick that…
Clark: September 10, 1806
Wednesday 10th of September 1806 we Set out very early this morning and proceeded on very well with wind moderately a head at ____ P M we met a Mr.…
Clark: September 11, 1806
Thursday 11th Septr. 1806 a heavy Cloud and wind from the N W. detained us untill after Sunrise at which time we Set out and proceeded on very well, passed…
Clark: September 12, 1806
Friday 12th of September 1806 a thick fog a litile before day which blew off at day light. a heavy Dew this morning. we Set out at Sunrise the usial…
Clark: September 13, 1806
Saturday 13th September 1806 rose early Mr. McClellen gave each man a Dram and a little after Sunrise we Set out the wind hard a head from the S E…
Clark: September 14, 1806
Sunday 14th Sept. 1806 Set out early and proceeded on very well. this being the part of the Missouri the Kanzas nation resort to at this Season of the year…
Clark: September 15, 1806
Monday 15th of September 1806 we set out early with a Stiff Breeze a head saw Several deer Swiming the river soon after we Set out. at 11 A.M. passed…
Clark: September 16, 1806
Tuesday 16th September 1806 we Set out early this morning and proceded on tolerably well the Day proved excessively worm and disagreeable, So much So that the men rowed but…
Clark: September 17, 1806
Wednesday 17th September 1806 We Set out as usial early pass the Island of the little Osage Village which is considered by the navigater of this river to be the…
Clark: September 18, 1806
Thursday 18th of September 1806 we rose early Capt McClellin wrote a letter and we took our leave, and proceeded on passed the Grand river at 7 A M. a…
Clark: September 19, 1806
Friday 19th of Sept. 1806 Set out this morning a little after day & proceeded on very well the men ply their oares & we decended with great velocity, only…
Clark: September 2, 1806
Tuesday 2nd of September 1806 Set out at the usial hour passed the River Jacque at 8 A.M. in the first bottom below on the N E. Side I observed…
Clark: September 20, 1806
Saturday 20th Septr. 1806 as three of the party was unabled to row from the State of their eyes we found it necessary to leave one of our Crafts and…
Clark: September 21, 1806
Sunday 21st Septr. 1806 rose early this morning Colected our men Several of them had axcepted of the invitation of the Citizens and visited their families. at half after 7…
Clark: September 22, 1806
Monday 22nd of Sept. 1806 This morning being very wet and the rain Still Continueing hard, and our party being all Sheltered in the houses of those hospitable people, we…
Clark: September 24, 1806
Wednesday 24th of September 1806 I sleped but little last night however we rose early and Commencd wrighting our letters Capt. Lewis wrote one to the presidend and I wrote…
Clark: September 25, 1806
Thursday 25th of Septr. 1806 had all of our Skins &c. Suned and Stored away in a Storeroom of Mr. Caddy Choteau. payed Some visits of form, to the gentlemen…
Clark: September 26, 1806
Friday 26th of September 1806 a fine morning we commenced wrighting &c. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Journals of Lewis and Clark, by Meriwether Lewis and William…
Clark: September 3, 1806
Wednesday 3rd of September 1806 Wind Continued to blow very hard this morning. it Shifted last night to the S. W. and blew the Sand over us in Such a…
Clark: September 4, 1806
Thursday 4th September 1806 The Musquitors became troublesom early this morning I rose at the usial hour found all the party as wet as rain could make them. as we…
Clark: September 5, 1806
Friday 5th September 1806 The Musquetors being So excessively tormenting that the party was all on board and we Set out at day light and proceeded on very well. here…
Clark: September 6, 1806
Saturday 6th of September 1806 The Musquetors excessively troublesom we Set out early at the great Cut off Saw a herd of Elk, we landed and Sent out Several hunters…
Clark: September 7, 1806
Sunday 7th September 1806 as we were doubtfull that the two fieldses were behind I derected Sergt. Ordway with 4 men to Continue untill Meridian and if those men did…
Clark: September 8, 1806
Munday 8th September 1806 Set out very early this morning, passed an old tradeing house on the S W Side a few miles above the Council bluffs, at 11 A…
Clark: September 9, 1806
Tuesday 9th September 1806 Set out early at 8 A. M passed the enterance of the great river Platt which is at this time low the water nearly clear the…
Departure from Fort Clatsop — Heading Home
At 1 P.M. we left Fort Clatsop on our homeward bound journey. At this place we had wintered and remained from the 7th of Deer. 1805 to this day, and have lived as well as we had any right to expect.
Farewell to Charbonneau, Sacagawea, and Little Pomp
We also took our leave of T. Chabono, his Snake Indian wife and their Son Child who had accompanied us on our rout to the pacific Ocian. I offered to take his little Son a butifull promising Child who is 19 months old. Chabono observed that the Child was Small and required the care of his mother.
Lewis Accidentally Shot by Cruzatte
Just opposite to the burned hills I was in the act of firing on some Elk when a ball struck my left thye about an inch below my hip joint. I instantly supposed that Cruzatte had shot me in mistake for an Elk as I was dressed in brown leather.
Lewis: April 1, 1806
Tuesday April 1st 1806. This morning early we dispatched Sergt. Pryar with two men in a small canoe up quicksand river with orders to proceed as far as he could…
Lewis: April 10, 1806
Thursday April 10th 1806. We set out early and droped down the channel to the lower end of brant Island from whence we drew them up the rapid by a…
Lewis: April 12, 1806
Saturday April 12th 1806. It rained the greater part of last night and still continued to rain this morning. I therefore determined to take up the remaining perogue this morning…
Lewis: April 13, 1806
Sunday April 13th 1806. The loss of one of our perogues rendered it necessary to distribute her crew and cargo among the 2 remaining perogues and 2 canoes, which being…
Lewis: April 14, 1806
Monday April 14th 1806. This morning at seven oCk. we were joined by Sergt. Pryor and the three hunters they brought with them 4 deer which Drewyer had killed yesterday.…
Lewis: April 15, 1806
Tuesday April 15th 1806 We delayed this morning untill after breakfast in order to purchase some horses of the Indians; accordingly we exposed some articles in exchange for horses the…
Lewis: April 16, 1806
Wednesday April 16th 1806. About 8 A.M. Capt. Clark passed the river with the two interpreters, the indian woman and nine men in order to trade with the natives for…
Lewis: April 17, 1806
Thursday April 17th 1806. This morning early I sent out the hunters, and set several additional hands about the packsaddles. I find that the sturgeon is not taken by any…
Lewis: April 18, 1806
Friday April 18th 1806. Late last evening we were visited by the principal cheif of Chilluckkittaquaws and 12 of his nation they remained with us untill 9 OC. when they…
Lewis: April 19, 1806
Saturday Aprl. 19th 1806. This morning early we had our small canoes drawn out, and employed all hands in transporting our baggage on their backs and by means of the…
Lewis: April 2, 1806
Wednesday April 2ed 1806. This morning we came to a resolution to remain at our present encampment or some where in this neighbourhood untill we had obtained as much dryed…
Lewis: April 20, 1806
Sunday April 20th 1806. some frost this morning. The Enesher an Skillutes are much better clad than they were last fall, there men have generally legings mockersons and large robes;…
Lewis: April 21, 1806
Monday April 21st 1806. Notwithstanding all the precautions I had taken with rispect to the horses one of them had broken his cord of 5 strands of Elkskin and had…
Lewis: April 22, 1806
Tuesday April 22cd 1806. Last night two of our horses broke loos from the picquits and straggled off some little distance, the men who had charge of them fortunately recovered…
Lewis: April 23, 1806
Wednesday April 23rd 1806. At day light this morning we were informed that the two horses of our Interpreter Charbono were absent; on enquiry it appeared that he had neglected…
Lewis: April 24, 1806
Thursday April 24 th 1806. We were up early this morning and dispatched the men in surch of our horses, they were all found in a little time except McNeal’s.…
Lewis: April 25, 1806
Friday April 25th 1806. This morning we collected our horses and set out at 9 A.M. and proceeded on 11 ms. to the Village of the Pish-quit-pahs of 51 mat…
Lewis: April 26, 1806
Saturday April 26th 1806. This morning early we set forward and at the distance of three miles entered a low level plain country of great extent. here the river hills…
Lewis: April 27, 1806
Sunday April 27th 1806. This morning we were detained untill 9 A.M. in consequence of the absence of one of Charbono’s horses. the horse at length being recovered we set…
Lewis: April 28, 1806
Monday April 28th 1806. This morning early Yellept brought a very eligant white horse to our camp and presented him to Capt. C. signifying his wish to get a kettle…
Lewis: April 29, 1806
Tuesday April 29th 1806. This morning Yellept furnished us with two canoes and we began to transport our baggage over the river; we also sent a party of the men…
Lewis: April 3, 1806
Thursday April 3rd 1806. Early this morning Joseph Feilds came over and informed me that Reubin Feilds Drewyer and himself had killed four Elk. as the party with me were…
Lewis: April 30, 1806
Wednesday April 30th 1806. This morning we had some difficulty in collecting our horses notwithstanding we had bubbled and picquited those we obtained of these people. we purchased two other…
Lewis: April 4, 1806
Friday April 4th 1806. This morning early we sent Sergt. Ordway in Surch of Sergt. Gass and party below the entrance of the Quicksand river fom whom we have yet…
Lewis: April 5, 1806
Saturday April 5th 1806. This morning was so cloudy that I could not obtain any lunar observations with a Aquila as I wished. Joseph Fields and Drewyer departed this morning…
Lewis: April 6, 1806
Sunday April 6th 1806. This morning we had the dryed meat secured in skins and the canoes loaded; we took breakfast and departed at 9 A.M. we continued up the…
Lewis: April 7, 1806
Monday April 7th 1806. This morning early the flesh of the remaining Elk was brought in and Drewyer with the Feildses departed agreeably to the order of the last evening.…
Lewis: April 8, 1806
Tuesday April 8th 1806. The wind blew so violently this morning that we were obliged to unlode our perogues and canoes, soon after which they filled with water. being compelled…
Lewis: April 9, 1806
Wednesday April 9th 1806. This morning early we commenced the operation of reloading our canoes; at 7 A.M. we departed and proceeded on to the Camp of Reubin and Joseph…
Lewis: August 1, 1806
Friday August 1st 1806. The rain still continuing I set out early as usual and proceeded on at a good rate. at 9 A.M. we saw a large brown bear…
Lewis: August 10, 1806
Sunday August 10th 1806. The morning was somewhat cloudy I therefore apprehended rain however it shortly after became fair. I hastened the repairs which were necessary to the perogue and…
Lewis: August 12, 1806
Thursday August 12th 1806. Being anxious to overtake Capt. Clark who from the appearance of his camps could be at no great distance before me, we set out early and…
Lewis: August 2, 1806
Saturday August 2cd 1806. The morning proved fair and I determined to remain all day and dry the baggage and give the men an opportunity to dry and air their…
Lewis: August 3, 1806
Saturday August 3rd 1806. I arrose early this morning and had the perogue and canoes loaded and set out at half after 6 A.M. we soon passed the canoe of…
Lewis: August 4, 1806
Monday August 4th 1806. Set out at 4 A.M. this morning. permited Willard and Sergt. Ordway to exchange with the Feildses and take their small canoe to hunt to-day. at…
Lewis: August 5, 1806
Tuesday August 5th 1806. Colter and Collins not having arrived induced me to remain this morning for them. the hunters killed four deer this morning near our encampment. I remained…
Lewis: August 6, 1806
Wednesday August 6th 1806. A little after dark last evening a violent storm arrose to the N. E. and shortly after came on attended with violent Thunder lightning and some…
Lewis: August 7, 1806
Thursday August 7th 1806. It began to rain about midnight and continued with but little intermission until 10 A.M. today. the air was cold and extreemly unpleasant. we set out…
Lewis: August 8, 1806
Friday August 8th 1806. Beleiving from the recent appearances about the fire which we past last evening that Capt Clark could be at no great distance below I set out…
Lewis: August 9, 1806
Saturday August 9th 1806. The day proved fair and favourable for our purposes. the men were all engaged dressing skins and making themselves cloathes except R & J. Fields whom…
Lewis: July 1, 1806
Tuesday July 1st 1806. This morning early we sent out all our hunters. set Sheilds at work to repair some of our guns which were out of order Capt. Clark…
Lewis: July 10, 1806
July 10th 1806. Set out early and continued down the S W bank of the river N 75 E 24 m. to our encampment in a grove of cottonwood timber.…
Lewis: July 11, 1806
July 11th 1806. the morning was fair and the plains looked beatifull the grass much improved by the late rain. the air was pleasant and a vast assemblage of little…
Lewis: July 12, 1806
July 12th 1806. we arrose early and resumed our operations in compleating our canoes which we completed by 10 A.M. about this time two of the men whom I had…
Lewis: July 13, 1806
13th July. removed above to my old station opposite the upper point of the white bear island. formed our camp and set Thompson &c at work to complete the geer…
Lewis: July 14, 1806
14th July Had the carriage wheels dug up found them in good order. the iron frame of the boat had not suffered materially. had the meat cut thiner and exposed…
Lewis: July 15, 1806
15 July 1806. Sent McNeal down this morning to the lower part of the portage to see whether the large perogue and cash were safe.Drewyer returned without the horses and…
Lewis: July 16, 1806
Wednesday July 16th 1806. I dispatched a man early this morning to drive up the horses as usual, he returned at 8 A.M. with one of them only. allarmed at…
Lewis: July 17, 1806
Thursday July 17th 1806. I arrose early this morning and made a drawing of the falls. after which we took breakfast and departed. it being my design to strike Maria’s…
Lewis: July 18, 1806
Friday July 18th 1806. We set out this morning a little before sunrise ascended the river hills and continued our rout as yesterday through the open plains at about 6…
Lewis: July 19, 1806
Saturday July 19th 1806. Drewyer and J. Fields set out early this morning in conformity to my instructions last evening. they returned at 1/2 after 12 OCk. and informed me…
Lewis: July 2, 1806
Wednesday July 2ed 1806. We sent out the hunters early this morning, they returned not so succesfull as yesterday having killed 2 deer only. Sheilds continued repairing the gunns which…
Lewis: July 20, 1806
Sunday July 20th 1806 We set at sunrise and proceed through the open plain as yesterday up the North side of the river. the plains are more broken than they…
Lewis: July 21, 1806
Monday July 21st 1806. We set out at sunrise and proceeded a short distance up the North side of the river; we found the ravines which made in on this…
Lewis: July 22, 1806
Tuesday July 22ed 1806. We set out very early this morning as usual and proceeded up the river. for the first seven miles of our travel this morning the country…
Lewis: July 23, 1806
Wednesdy July 23rd 1806 I dispatched Drewyer an Joseph fields this morning to hunt. I directed Drewyer who went up the river to observe it’s bearings and the point at…
Lewis: July 24, 1806
Thursday July 24th 1806. At 8 A.M. the sun made it’s appearance for a few minutes and I took it’s altitude but it shortly after clouded up again and continued…
Lewis: July 26, 1806
Saturday July 26th 1806. The moring was cloudy and continued to rain as usual, tho the cloud seemed somewhat thiner. I therefore posponed seting out untill 9 A.M. in the…
Lewis: July 28, 1806
July 28th 1806 Monday. The morning proved fair, I slept sound but fortunately awoke as day appeared, I awaked the men and directed the horses to be saddled, I was…
Lewis: July 29, 1806
Tuesday July 29th 1806. Shortly after dark last evening a violent storm came on from N. W. attended with rain hail Thunder and lightning which continued the greater part of…
Lewis: July 3, 1806
Thursday July 3rd 1806. All arrangements being now compleated for carrying into effect the several scheemes we had planed for execution on our return, we saddled our horses and set…
Lewis: July 30, 1806
Wednesday July 30th 1806. The rain still continued this morning it was therefore unnecessary to remain as we could not dry our baggage I Consequently set out early as usual…
Lewis: July 31, 1806
Thursday July 31st 1806. The rain still continuing I set out early and proceeded on as fast as possible. at 9 A.M. we fell in with a large herd of…
Lewis: July 4, 1806
July 4th 1806. An Indian arrived alone from the West side of the mountains. he had pursued and overtook us here. sent out the hunters early to kill some meat…
Lewis: July 5, 1806
July 5th 1806. Set out at 6 A.M.steered N. 75 E. 61/2 M. passed a stout C. N Side at 21/2 M. another just above saw an old indian encampment…
Lewis: July 6, 1806
July 6th 1806. Set out a little after sunrise passed the creek a little above our encampment. East 14 M. to the point at which the river leaves the extensive…
Lewis: July 7, 1806
July 7 1806. Set out at 7 A.M. N. 75 E. 6 M. with the road through a level beatifull plain on the North side of the river much timber…
Lewis: July 8, 1806
July 8th 1806. Set out at 6 A.M. N 25 W. 31/2 m. to the top of a hill from whence we saw the Shishequaw mountain about 8 M. distant,…
Lewis: July 9, 1806
July 9th 1806. Set out early and had not proceeded far before it began to rain. the air extreemly cold. halted a few minutes in some old lodges until it…
Lewis: June 1, 1806
Sunday June 1st 1806. Yesterday evening Charbono an LaPage returned, having made a broken voyage. they ascended the river on this side nearly opposite to a village eight miles above…
Lewis: June 10, 1806
Tuesday June 10th 1806. This morning we arrose early and had our horses collected except one of Cruzatt’s and one of Whitehouse’s, which were not to be found; after a…
Lewis: June 11, 1806
Wednesday June 11th 1806. All our hunters were out this morning by daylight; Labuish and Gibson only proved successfull, the former killed a black bear of the brown speceis and…
Lewis: June 12, 1806
Thursday June 12th 1806. All our hunters except Gibson returned about noon; none of them had killed anything except Sheilds who brought with him two deer. in the evening they…
Lewis: June 13, 1806
Friday June 13th 1806. Reubin Feilds and Willard were ordered to proceed on our road to a small prarie 8 miles distant on this side of Collins’s Creek and there…
Lewis: June 14, 1806
Saturday June 14th 1806. Sent our hunters out early this morning. Colter killed a deer and brought it in by 10 A.M. the other hunters except Drewyer returned early without…
Lewis: June 15, 1806
Sunday June 15th 1806. We had some little difficulty in collecting our horses this morning they had straggled off to a greater distance than usual. it rained very hard in…
Lewis: June 16, 1806
Monday June 16th 1806. We collected our horses very readily this morning, took breakfast and set out at 6 A.M.; proceeded up the creek about 2 miles through some handsom…
Lewis: June 17, 1806
Tuesday June 17th 1806. we collected our horses and set out early; we proceeded down hungry creek about seven miles passing it twice; we found it difficult and dangerous to…
Lewis: June 18, 1806
Wednesday June 18th 1806. This morning we had considerable difficulty in collecting our horses they having straggled off to a considerable distance in surch of food on the sides of…
Lewis: June 19, 1806
Thursday June 19th 1806. Our hunters were out very early this morning, they returned before noon with one deer only. the Fishermen had been more unsuccessfull, they returned without a…
Lewis: June 2, 1806
Monday June 2cd 1806. McNeal and york were sent on a trading voyage over the river this morning. having exhausted all our merchandize we are obliged to have recourse to…
Lewis: June 20, 1806
Friday June 20th 1806. Our hunters set out early this morning; most of them returned before noon. R. Feilds killed a brown bear the tallons of which were remarkably short…
Lewis: June 21, 1806
Saturday June 21st 1806. We collected our horses early set out on our return to the flatts. we all felt some mortification in being thus compelled to retrace our steps…
Lewis: June 22, 1806
Sunday June 22nd 1806. this morning by light all hands who could hunt were sent out; the result of this days perfomance was greater than we had even hoped for.…
Lewis: June 23, 1806
Monday June 23rd 1806. Apprehensive from Drewyer’s delay that he had met with some difficulty in procuring a guide, and also that the two indians who had promised to wait…
Lewis: June 24, 1806
Tuesday June 24th 1806. We collected our horses early this morning and set out accompanyed by our three guides. Colter joined us this morning having killed a bear, which from…
Lewis: June 25, 1806
Wednesday June 25th 1806. last evening the indians entertained us with seting the fir trees on fire. they have a great number of dry lims near their bodies which when…
Lewis: June 27, 1806
Friday June 27th 1806. We collected our horses early and set out. the road still continued on the heights of the same dividing ridge on which we had traveled yesterday…
Lewis: June 28, 1806
Saturday June 28th 1806. This morning we collected our horses and set out as usual after an early breakfast. several of our horses had straggled to a considersble distance in…
Lewis: June 29, 1806
Sunday June 29th 1806. We collected our horses early this morning and set out, having previously dispatched Drewyer and R. Fields to the warm springs to hunt. we pursued the…
Lewis: June 3, 1806
Tuesday June 3rd 1806. Our invalids are all on the recovery; Bratton is much stronger and can walk about with considerable ease. the Indian Cheif appears to be gradually recovering…
Lewis: June 30, 1806
Monday June 30th 1806. We dispatched Drewyer and J. Fields early this morning to hunt on the road and indeavour to obtain some meat for us. just as we had…
Lewis: June 4, 1806
Wednesday June 4th 1806. about noon The 3 Cheifs left us and returned to their vilages. while they were with us we repeated the promises we had formerly made them…
Lewis: June 5, 1806
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…
Lewis: June 6, 1806
Friday June 6th 1806. This morning Frazier returned having been in quest of some roots and bread which had left at the lodg of the Twisted hair when on his…
Lewis: June 7, 1806
Saturday June 7th 1806. The two young Cheifs who visited last evening returned to their village on Commeap C. with some others of the natives. Sergt. Gass, McNeal, Whitehouse and…
Lewis: June 8, 1806
Sunday June 8th 1806. Drewyer returned this morning from the chase without having killed anything. his hose left him last night, he pursued him but did not overtake him untill…
Lewis: June 9, 1806
Monday June 9th 1806. This morning we had all our horses brought up and indeavoured to exchange five or shix with the Indians in consequence of their having unsound backs…
Lewis: March 24, 1806
Monday March 24th 1806. This morning we sent out a party of 15, at light, for the meat, and concluded to take breakfast before we set out. they soon returned.…
Lewis: March 25, 1806
Tuesday March 25th 1806. The morning being disagreeably cold we remained and took break-fast. at 7 A.M. we set out and continued our rout along the South Coast of the…
Lewis: March 26, 1806
Wednesday March 26th 1806. The wind blew so hard this morning that we delayed untill 8 A.M. we gave a medal of small size to a man by the name…
Lewis: March 27, 1806
Thursday March 27th 1806. We set out early this morning and were shortly after joined by some of the Skillutes who came along side in a small canoe for the…
Lewis: March 28, 1806
Friday March 28th 1806. This morning we set out very early and at 9 A.M. arrived at the old Indian Village on Lard side of Deer Island where we found…
Lewis: March 29, 1806
Saturday March 29th 1806. We set out early this morning and proceeded along the side of Deer Island; halted at 10 A.M. near its upper point and breakfasted. here we…
Lewis: March 30, 1806
Sunday March 30th 1806. We got under way very early in the morning, and had not reached the head of the island before we were met by three men of…
Lewis: March 31, 1806
Monday March 31st 1806 We set out early this morning and proceeded untill 8 A.M. when we Landed on the N. side opposite one large wooden house of the Shah-ha-la…
Lewis: May 1, 1806
Thursday May 1st 1806. We collected our horses tolerably early this morning took and set out a little after 7 A.M. we pursued the indian road which led us up…
Lewis: May 10, 1806
Saturday May 10th 1806. This morning the snow continued falling 1/2 after 6 A.M. when it ceased, the air keen and cold, the snow 8 inches deep on the plain;…
Lewis: May 11, 1806
Sunday May 11th 1806. The last evening we were much crouded with the indians in our lodge, the whole floor of which was covered with their sleeping carcases. we arrose…
Lewis: May 12, 1806
Monday May 12th 1806. This morning a great number of indians collected about us as usual. we took an early breakfast and Capt. C. began to administer eyewater to a…
Lewis: May 13, 1806
Tuesday May 13th 1806. This morning Capt. C. as usual was busily engaged with his patients untill eleven OCk. at 1 P.M. we collected our horses and set out for…
Lewis: May 14, 1806
Wednesday May 14th 1806. The morning was fair, we arrose early and dispatched a few of our hunters to the opposite side of the river, and employed a part of…
Lewis: May 15, 1806
Thursday May 15th 1806. This morning early Reubin Fields in surching for his horse saw a large bear at no great distance from camp; several men went in pursuit of…
Lewis: May 16, 1806
Friday May 16th 1806. Drewyer’s horse left his camp last night and was brought to us this morning by an indian who informed us he had found him a considerable…
Lewis: May 17, 1806
Saturday May 17th 1806. It rained the greater part of the last night and this morning untill 8 OCk. the water passed through flimzy covering and wet our bed most…
Lewis: May 18, 1806
Sunday May 18th 1806. Twelve hunters turned out this morning in different directions agreeably to the order of last evening. Potts and Whitehouse accompanied Collins to the bear he had…
Lewis: May 19, 1806
Monday May 19th 1806. It continued to rain this morning untill 8 OCk. when it became fair. We sent Charbono, Thompson, Potts, Hall and Wiser over the river to a…
Lewis: May 2, 1806
Friday May 2cd 1806. This morning we dispatched two hunters a head. we had much difficulty in collecting our horses. at 8 A.M. we obtained them all except the horse…
Lewis: May 20, 1806
Tuesday May 20th 1806. It rained the greater part of last night and continued this morning untill noon when it cleared away about an hour and then rained at intervals…
Lewis: May 21, 1806
Wednesday May 21st 1806. It rained a few hours this morning. Sheilds and Gibson set out to hunt towards the mountains. Collins came to camp at noon and remained about…
Lewis: May 22, 1806
Thursday May 22ed 1806. A fine morning we exposed all our baggage to air and dry as well as our store of roots and bread purchased from the natives. permited…
Lewis: May 23, 1806
Friday May 23rd 1806. Sergt. Pryor wounded a deer early this morning in a lick near camp; my dog pursud it into the river; the two young Indian men who…
Lewis: May 24, 1806
Saturday May 24th 1806. The child was very wrestless last night; it’s jaw and the back of it’s neck are much more swolen than they were yesterday tho his fever…
Lewis: May 25, 1806
Sunday May 25th 1806. It rained the greater part of last night and continued untill 6 A.M. our grass tent is impervious to the rain. the Child is more unwell…
Lewis: May 26, 1806
Monday May 26th 1806. Had frequent showers in the course of the last night. Collins, Shannon and Colter set out to hunt on the high lands some distance up on…
Lewis: May 27, 1806
Tuesday May 27th 1806. Early this morning we sent Reubin Fields in surch of the horse which the indians had given us to kill. at 10 in the morning he…
Lewis: May 28, 1806
Wednesday May 28th 1806. We sent Goodrich to the village of the broken arm this morning he returned in the evening with some roots bread and a parsel of goats-hair…
Lewis: May 29, 1806
Thursday May 29th 1806. No movement of the party today worthy of notice. we have once more a good stock of meat and roots. Bratton is recovering his strength very…
Lewis: May 3, 1806
Saturday May 3rd 1806. This morning we set out at 7 A.M. steered N. 25 E 12 ms. to Kimooenem Creek through a high level plain. this creek is about…
Lewis: May 30, 1806
Friday May 30th 1806. Lapage and Charbono set out to the indian vilages early this morning for the purpose of trading with them for roots; Sergt. Gass was sent this…
Lewis: May 31, 1806
Saturday May 31st 1806. Goodrich and Willard visited the indian Villages this morning and returned in the evening. Willard brought with him the dressed skin of a bear which he…
Lewis: May 4, 1806
Sunday May 4th 1806. Collected our horses and set out early; the morning was cold and disagreeable. we ascended the Lard. hills of the creek and steered N. 60° E.…
Lewis: May 5, 1806
Monday May 5th 1806. Collected our horses and set out at 7 A.M. at 41/2 miles we arrived at the entrance of the Kooskooske, up the N. Eastern side of…
Lewis: May 6, 1806
Tuesday May 6th 1806. This morning the husband of the sick woman was as good as his word, he produced us a young horse in tolerable order which we immediately…
Lewis: May 7, 1806
Wednesday May 7th 1806. This morning we collected our horses and set out early accompanyed by the brother of the twisted hair as a guide; Wearkkoomt and his party left…
Lewis: May 8, 1806
Thursday May 8th 1806. Most of the hunters turned out by light this morning a few others remained without our permission or knoledge untill late in the morning, we chid…
Lewis: May 9, 1806
Friday May 9th 1806. We sent out several hunters early this morning with instructions to meet us at the lodge of the Twisted hair. Collecting our horses detained us untill…
Native Americans Attempt to Steal Seaman
During the return journey along the Columbia River, a group of Native Americans stole Seaman from the expedition’s camp. Lewis was furious. He immediately dispatched three armed men to recover…
Nez Perce Guides Lead Them Over the Bitterroots
The road was now much better than it has been since we first entered the mountains and the snow had decreased. We nooned it and dined on the remains of our venison and a little bears oil. We now found the advantage of having guides.
Return to St. Louis — Journey's End
We Suffered the party to fire off their pieces as a Salute to the Town. We were met by all the village and received a harty welcom from its inhabitants. As the expedition had been long Since given out by the people of the U.S. Generly and almost forgotton, the St Louisians were much astonished.
Violent Encounter with the Blackfeet
I sliped behind a rock and spoke to the effect that I would shoot them if they did not give back my horse. It was at this moment that the fellow with the two horses turned and shot at me — being bearheaded I felt the wind of his ball very distinctly.
Key Figures
33 itemsAlexander Willard
Served as one of the expedition's blacksmiths alongside John Shields. He was court-martialed and sentenced to 100 lashes for sleeping while on sentinel duty — a capital offense. He was the second-to-last surviving member of the expedition, dying in California at age 86.
Arikara
A Caddoan-speaking agricultural people along the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota. The expedition held councils with Arikara chiefs in October 1804. The Arikara were notable for refusing alcohol, saying it "made people into fools."
Blackfeet
An Algonquian-speaking people of the northern Great Plains. The expedition's only violent encounter with Native Americans occurred on July 27, 1806, when Lewis's party met eight Blackfeet warriors near Two Medicine River. Two Blackfeet were killed. This incident poisoned American-Blackfeet relations for decades.
Francois Labiche
An experienced boatman and Indian trader who spoke English, French, and several Native American languages. Labiche served as one of the expedition's key translators and was assigned alongside Pierre Cruzatte to man the bow of the keelboat.
George Drouillard
Son of a French-Canadian father and Shawnee mother, Drouillard was the expedition's premier hunter and sign language interpreter. He was the highest paid member after the captains, and the only man Clark referred to by first name in the journals. Killed by Blackfeet warriors while trapping near Three Forks, Montana in 1810.
George Gibson
Born in Pennsylvania and recruited in Kentucky, Gibson was a skilled hunter and fiddle player who entertained the Corps alongside Pierre Cruzatte. He served as an interpreter using sign language and was one of Clark's most trusted men.
George Shannon
The youngest enlisted member of the Corps, Shannon famously got lost twice during the expedition, once for 16 days surviving on grapes and one rabbit. After the expedition, he studied law, assisted Nicholas Biddle in compiling the official expedition history, and served in the Kentucky and Missouri legislatures.
Hidatsa
Close neighbors of the Mandan living at the Knife River villages. The Hidatsa were the tribe from whom Sacagawea had been captured as a girl. The expedition had complex diplomatic dealings with Hidatsa chiefs, particularly the powerful Le Borgne.
Hugh Hall
Born in Massachusetts and recruited from the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Court-martialed alongside John Collins for being drunk on duty, receiving 50 lashes. Despite this early trouble, he completed the entire expedition.
Hugh McNeal
Accompanied Lewis on the first crossing of the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass in August 1805, where he reportedly straddled a small stream and declared that he had "lived to bestride the mighty Missouri."
Jean Baptiste Lepage
A French-Canadian trapper who had lived among the Mandan and explored the Black Hills. Hired at Fort Mandan on November 2, 1804 to replace the expelled John Newman. At 43, the oldest member of the permanent party.
John Collins
Born in Maryland, Collins was a reliable hunter ranked in the top five of the Corps. He was court-martialed and received 100 lashes for tapping the expedition's whiskey barrel. Believed killed by Arikara warriors in 1823 during the Ashley-Henry fur trading expedition.
John Colter
Considered one of the Corps' best hunters and scouts, Colter was discharged early on the return journey to join fur trappers. He became the first person of European descent to enter the Yellowstone region and is widely regarded as America's first mountain man. He famously escaped a Blackfeet ambush by outrunning his pursuers naked and barefoot.
John Potts
Born in Germany and formerly a miller. After the expedition, he returned to the upper Missouri as a fur trapper. He was killed by Blackfeet warriors near Three Forks while trapping with John Colter, who narrowly escaped the same ambush.
John Thompson
Clark praised him as "a valuable member of our party." He served the entire journey without significant incident and was among the most quietly dependable members of the Corps.
Mandan
Sedentary agricultural people living in earth lodge villages along the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota. The expedition built Fort Mandan near their villages and spent the winter of 1804-05 among them. The Mandan provided food, shelter, and critical geographic information, and it was here that Charbonneau and Sacagawea joined the expedition.
Nathaniel Hale Pryor
A cousin of Sergeant Charles Floyd, Pryor led the First Squad of six privates during the expedition. Lewis praised him as one of the most capable men on the journey. After the expedition, he served in the War of 1812, became a fur trader, and eventually settled among the Osage Nation.
Neeshnepahkeeook (Cut Nose)
One of the four great Nez Perce chiefs who met with Lewis and Clark during the May 1806 councils, participating in extended diplomatic discussions about intertribal peace and American trade.
Nez Perce
The Nez Perce people of present-day Idaho saved the expedition from starvation when the Corps descended from the Bitterroots in September 1805, feeding them roots and dried fish. They helped build canoes, watched the expedition's horses, and provided guides.
Peter Weiser
Served reliably throughout the expedition. Afterward worked for fur trader Manuel Lisa, returning to Montana in 1807. He traveled alone through western Idaho during winter 1807-1808; the Weiser River in Idaho now bears his name.
Pierre Cruzatte
Half French and half Omaha, Cruzatte was recruited for his expert skills as a Missouri River boatman and his fiddle playing, which provided entertainment and facilitated diplomacy with Native peoples. Blind in one eye and nearsighted in the other, he accidentally shot Meriwether Lewis while hunting elk in August 1806.
Reubin Field
One of the "Nine Young Men from Kentucky," Reubin was among the Corps' finest hunters. During the encounter with the Blackfeet on July 27, 1806, he fatally stabbed a warrior through the heart while defending the expedition's weapons and horses.
Richard Windsor
Best remembered for a harrowing incident on June 7, 1805, when he nearly fell from a 300-foot cliff along the Missouri River. Lewis, who was on the same narrow trail, talked him through the crisis. A reliable hunter throughout the expedition.
Robert Frazer
Joined the permanent party on October 8, 1804 after Moses Reed's expulsion. He kept a journal and created a map of the expedition route that, while crude, provided an early cartographic record. His journal manuscript was lost.
Seaman
A large Newfoundland dog purchased by Lewis in Pittsburgh for $20. Seaman accompanied the expedition for its entire duration, serving as a hunter, guard against grizzly bears and buffalo, and valued companion. The only animal to complete the entire trip.
Silas Goodrich
The Corps' most accomplished fisherman, Goodrich regularly supplied the expedition with fresh fish throughout the journey. At the Great Falls, he caught large numbers of cutthroat trout that supplemented the Corps' diet and provided Lewis with specimens for scientific study.
Thomas Howard
From Massachusetts. Court-martialed in February 1805 for climbing the Fort Mandan wall after hours rather than using the gate, potentially compromising the fort's security. Completed the entire journey.
Tunnachemootoolt (Broken Arm)
The great head chief of the Kamiah-area Nez Perce. He hosted a major council in May 1806 where the captains discussed peace proposals. His village was the expedition's base camp while they waited for snow to clear from the Bitterroot passes.
Twisted Hair
A Nez Perce chief who befriended the starving Corps when they descended from the Bitterroot Mountains in September 1805. He helped them find timber for dugout canoes and agreed to watch their horses.
Walla Walla
A Sahaptian-speaking people led by Chief Yelleppit. On the return journey in 1806, Yelleppit hosted the Corps for two days and provided canoes and horses.
William Bratton
One of the "Nine Young Men from Kentucky," Bratton served as hunter, blacksmith, and gunsmith. In spring 1806 he was incapacitated by a severe back ailment until a Native American sweat lodge treatment cured him. He later served in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans.
William Werner
Had a fight with John Potts at Camp Dubois during preparation and was convicted of being absent without leave. Despite disciplinary issues, he completed the full journey to the Pacific and back.
Yelleppit
Described by Clark as "a bold handsom Indian, with a dignified countenance about 35 years of age." He provided canoes and horses to the expedition during their 1806 return journey.
Wildlife & Plants
18 itemsBighorn Sheep
Joseph Field became the first expedition member to see a live bighorn sheep on April 26, 1805, during a reconnaissance up the Yellowstone River. On May 25, 1805, Drouillard killed the first specimen, which Lewis...
California Condor
Lewis and Clark observed California condors on at least nine occasions along the lower Columbia River from October 1805 to April 1806, and once in the Rocky Mountains. Clark first recorded seeing the species on...
Camas
The Nez Perce introduced Lewis and Clark to camas on September 20, 1805, at Weippe Prairie in Idaho, after the expedition's harrowing crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains. The starchy bulbs were a staple food of...
Chinook Salmon
Lewis and Clark first encountered massive runs of chinook salmon near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers in mid-October 1805. Clark was confused by the enormous numbers of dead salmon lining the riverbanks,...
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark first observed this distinctive bird on August 22, 1805, along the Lemhi River in east-central Idaho, while scouting a possible route across the Bitterroot Mountains. He initially described it as a "new species of...
Greater Sage-Grouse
Lewis first observed the greater sage-grouse on June 6, 1805, near the mouth of the Marias River in Montana. He wrote one of the most detailed ornithological descriptions of the expedition at Fort Clatsop on...
Grizzly Bear
The grizzly bear was one of the most dramatic discoveries of the expedition. Lewis and Clark provided the first detailed scientific description of this fearsome predator, which they called the "white bear" or "yellow bear."...
Lewis's Monkey-flower
Lewis collected this striking pink-flowered plant on August 12, 1805, at the headwaters of the Missouri River, near Lemhi Pass on the Continental Divide. Frederick Pursh named the species in Lewis's honor and included a...
Lewis's Woodpecker
Lewis's woodpecker was first observed on July 20, 1805, near the present site of Helena, Montana, along the edge of the Big Belt Mountains. The bird was not collected as a specimen until the following...
Pinyon Jay
According to a historical marker at LaHood Park on the Jefferson River in Montana, the first pinyon jay known to science was described by the Lewis and Clark Expedition at their campsite on August 1,...
Ponderosa Pine
Lewis and Clark wrote the first description of the ponderosa pine on May 11, 1805, calling it "pitch-pine" and comparing it to Virginia pine but noting longer needles. The ponderosa is the most widely distributed...
Prairie Rattlesnake
Lewis and Clark first encountered the prairie rattlesnake on April 26, 1805, at the mouth of the Yellowstone River, where several were spotted during a hike up the Yellowstone. This was a species new to...
Steelhead Trout
Lewis and Clark encountered steelhead (which they called "salmon trout") at multiple points along the Columbia River system. Lewis described the species in detail, noting it resembled salmon but was "not so large." The expedition...
Steller's Jay
Lewis first noted the Steller's jay on September 20, 1805, in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. While the species had been previously described by Georg Steller in Alaska in 1741, Lewis and Clark provided important...
Swift Fox
Lewis described the swift fox on July 8, 1805, near the Marias River in Montana. This small, prairie-dwelling fox was new to Western science and distinctive for its diminutive size compared to the red fox....
Western Meadowlark
On June 22, 1805, near the Great Falls of the Missouri, Lewis recorded a bird that "much resembles" the eastern meadowlark but with a notably different song and slightly different tail structure. His observation was...
Western Red Cedar
Lewis and Clark encountered the western red cedar as they crossed the Bitterroot Mountains and descended into the Pacific Northwest in September 1805. They called it "arborvitae" after the similar northeastern white cedar, though the...
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
On June 13, 1805, Private Silas Goodrich caught several cutthroat trout at the Great Falls of the Missouri River, providing the first scientific description of this species by any Anglo-American. Lewis described the trout in...
Artwork
5 itemsBuffalo Chase, Mouth of the Yellowstone
Dynamic hunting scene near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. Catlin reached Fort Union in 1832, painting the same regions explored by Lewis and Clark. The expedition had…
Fort Union, Mouth of the Yellowstone River
Fort Union at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. The American Fur Company post was built in 1828 near where Lewis and Clark had camped in April 1805.…
Junction of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri
View of the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers near Fort Union. The Maximilian expedition reached this point on June 24, 1833. Lewis and Clark had also passed this…
Meriwether Lewis
Life portrait of Meriwether Lewis commissioned by Charles Willson Peale for his Philadelphia Museum. Lewis wears a fur-trimmed coat, likely an ermine tippet given to him by Cameahwait, chief of…
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Monumental landscape that helped establish Yellowstone as the first national park. While not directly on the Lewis and Clark route, Clark’s expedition party under John Colter explored this region. The…
Weapons & Equipment
26 items1792 Contract Rifle (Expedition Primary Rifle)
The primary long arm of the Corps of Discovery was not, as long believed, the Model 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle, but rather the 1792 Contract Rifle — a Pennsylvania-style, single-shot,…
Battle Axes (Shields's Fort Mandan Manufacture)
During the winter of 1804-1805 at Fort Mandan, expedition blacksmith John Shields and fellow smith Alexander Willard devised an ingenious economy: they cut a burned-out stove into small squares and…
Blunderbusses (Pirogue-Mounted)
Two blunderbusses were mounted on swivel pivots on the sterns of the two pirogues (large open boats) that accompanied the keelboat upriver. A blunderbuss is a short, heavy smoothbore firearm…
Buffalo Hide Shield
Buffalo hide shields were among the most important defensive weapons and spiritual objects of the Plains nations. Made from the thick hide of a buffalo bull’s hump or neck —…
Bullet Molds
Fifteen pairs of bullet molds were obtained at Harpers Ferry Arsenal, one for each rifleman. These were scissor-type iron molds that clamped together to form a spherical cavity. Molten lead…
Clark's Elegant Fusil
Clark brought what the expedition journals describe as “an elegant fusil” — a lightweight gentleman’s sporting smoothbore. A fusil (from the French) was a lighter, more refined version of a…
Clark's Squirrel Rifle
William Clark brought a personal small-caliber rifle of .36 caliber, commonly known as a “squirrel rifle.” These were light, accurate Pennsylvania-style long rifles designed for small game hunting and target…
Coup Stick
The coup stick was a ceremonial weapon unique to Plains Indian warfare, used to “count coup” — the act of touching an enemy in battle without killing him, which was…
Espontoon (Spontoon)
The espontoon was a traditional officer’s polearm, a descendant of the pike, carried as both a symbol of rank and a functional weapon. It featured an elaborate spear-like head, often…
Girandoni Air Rifle
The Girandoni air rifle was arguably the most significant weapon of the entire expedition, serving more as a diplomatic instrument than a weapon of war. Designed by Italian-Tyrolean watchmaker and…
Indian Peace Medal (Jefferson)
The Indian peace medals carried by Lewis and Clark were among the most important diplomatic tools of the expedition, second only to the air rifle in their impact on Native…
Keelboat Swivel Gun
A small naval cannon mounted on a swivel in the bow of the keelboat (the 55-foot vessel that carried the expedition up the Missouri River from May 1804 to April…
Kentucky/Pennsylvania Long Rifle
Several members of the Corps of Discovery carried personal Kentucky (or Pennsylvania) long rifles, the iconic frontier weapon of early America. These rifles were known for their exceptional accuracy at…
Lance / War Spear
War lances were prestige weapons carried by prominent warriors and military society leaders among the Plains nations. Unlike bows and clubs, which were primarily practical weapons, the lance was often…
Lewis's Fowling Piece
Lewis brought a personal fowling piece — an extra-long smoothbore shoulder gun used primarily for bird hunting. Fowlers were common sporting arms of the era, with long barrels (typically 42-48…
Model 1795 Springfield Musket
The Model 1795 was the first standard U.S. military musket, closely copied from the French Charleville Model 1763/66 that had been imported during the American Revolution. Since there were approximately…
Model 1799 Horseman's Pistols
In 1803, Lewis requisitioned a pair of horse pistols from the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia. These were large-caliber, single-shot flintlock pistols designed to be carried in saddle holsters. Using the…
Native Tomahawks (Traditional and Trade)
The tomahawk existed in two broad categories during the Lewis and Clark era: traditional stone-headed versions (a shaped stone lashed to a wooden handle) and European-manufactured trade versions (iron or…
Northwest Trade Gun (Fusil)
By the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Northwest trade guns were the most common firearms among Native peoples of the Upper Missouri and beyond. Lewis described the tribes…
Officers' Swords
Both Lewis and Clark carried swords as commissioned officers, though the exact pattern each carried is unknown. The 1787 U.S. regulations called for iron or steel mounted sabers of 36…
Plains Indian Bow and Arrows
The bow and arrow remained the primary ranged weapon of most Native American nations encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, even as trade guns became increasingly available. The short,…
Plains Indian War Club
War clubs were among the most important weapons and status symbols of the Northern Plains nations encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Styles varied widely among nations: the Sioux…
Pocket Pistols with Secret Triggers
On May 21, 1803, Lewis purchased a pair of pocket pistols from Robert Barnhill’s gun shop at 63 North Second Street in Philadelphia for $10. The surviving receipt reads: “Bot.…
Powder Horns and Shot Pouches
Each of the 15 riflemen was issued a powder horn and shot pouch. The powder horn was a hollowed-out cow or ox horn, sealed at both ends, with a measuring…
Scalping Knife / Hunting Knife
Every member of the Corps of Discovery carried a large knife that served as an all-purpose tool for butchering game, preparing food, cutting wood, making repairs, and self-defense. These “scalping…
Tomahawk (Trade and Military)
Tomahawks were among the most ubiquitous and versatile tools carried by the Corps of Discovery. Each member was issued a tomahawk or hatchet that served as a weapon, tool for…
Documents
11 itemsClark's Letter to Brother Jonathan Announcing Return
Clark wrote to Jonathan from St. Louis on September 23, 1806, the day of their triumphant return. His letter provided personal details about the journey that he would not have…
Council with the Teton Sioux at Bad River
The encounter began with a council on September 25, 1804, where communication was hampered by the lack of a competent Sioux interpreter. After distributing gifts, tensions escalated when warriors seized…
Lewis's Astronomical Observations and Calculations
Lewis was trained in celestial navigation by Andrew Ellicott and Robert Patterson before the expedition. Using a sextant, chronometer, and artificial horizon, he recorded observations of the sun, moon, and…
Lewis's Descriptions of New Animal Species
Among the most notable species described were the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) — which nearly killed several expedition members — the pronghorn antelope, the black-tailed prairie dog (live specimens…
Lewis's Descriptions of New Plant Species
Lewis received botanical training from Benjamin Smith Barton at the University of Pennsylvania before the expedition. Throughout the journey, he collected and described specimens including Lewis’s monkey-flower (Mimulus lewisii), bitterroot…
Lewis's Letter to Jefferson Announcing the Expedition's Return
Writing from St. Louis, Lewis summarized the expedition’s key findings: “In obedience to your orders we have penetrated the Continent of North America to the Pacific Ocean.” He described the…
Private Whitehouse's Journal
Two versions of Whitehouse’s journal exist: an original rough journal and a later paraphrased version that Whitehouse apparently prepared for publication (which never occurred). The journal provides unique observations about…
Sergeant Floyd's Journal
Floyd’s journal is the shortest of the expedition journals, ending abruptly as his illness worsened. His entries record the daily progress up the Missouri, encounters with the Oto and Missouri…
Sergeant Gass's Journal (Published 1807)
Gass’s account was published as “A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery” in 1807. As the expedition carpenter, Gass provided unique details about the construction…
Sergeant Ordway's Journal
Ordway’s journal is particularly valuable because it covers the entire expedition without the gaps found in Lewis’s journal. It documents daily routines, hunting results, weather observations, and events in camp…
The Journals of Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark each maintained separate journals, though Lewis’s entries are notably absent for long periods (leading to enduring speculation about what he was doing during these gaps). Clark was…
