Return to St. Louis — Journey’s End

After two years, four months, and ten days — and approximately 8,000 miles of travel — the Corps of Discovery returned to St. Louis. They had been given up for dead by many.

“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.”

The expedition had accomplished its primary objectives: they had crossed the continent, mapped the route, documented hundreds of species new to Western science, established relations with dozens of Native nations, and returned with only one casualty (Sergeant Floyd, from natural causes).

Clark wrote to his brother: “We have returned, we bring with us considerable information relative to the Country through which we passed.” It was perhaps the greatest understatement in the history of American exploration.