The Field brothers served as scouts, hunters, and advance reconnaissance throughout the journey. Reubin Field was involved in one of the expedition’s most dramatic events — the violent encounter with Blackfeet warriors on the Two Medicine River on July 27, 1806. During the fight, Reubin stabbed a Blackfeet warrior who was trying to steal the party’s rifles, killing him — one of only two violent deaths caused by the expedition.

Lewis consistently praised the Field brothers as “two of the most active and enterprising young men who accompanied us.” They served on many of the most dangerous advance parties and reconnaissance missions.

After the expedition, Reubin settled in Kentucky and lived a quiet frontier life. He died around 1822.

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“I sliped behind a rock and spoke to the effect that I would shoot them if they did not give back my horse.”

In the ensuing fight, Reubin Field stabbed one warrior and Lewis shot another. This was the only violent death caused by the expedition during its entire journey. Lewis’s party then rode over 100 miles in 24 hours to escape potential Blackfeet retaliation — one of the most harrowing episodes of the return journey.

This encounter had lasting consequences for American relations with the Blackfeet, who remained hostile to American traders and trappers for decades.

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