William Werner Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/key-figure/william-werner/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:42:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 William Werner https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/research/william-werner/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:42:23 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/research/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.

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]]> William Werner was a private in the Corps of Discovery who served as the party’s cook at various points during the journey. He was a steady, reliable member of the expedition who is rarely mentioned in the journals — often a sign of a soldier who simply did his job without incident.

Werner was part of the salt-making detail at the Oregon coast during the winter at Fort Clatsop. He also participated in the overland journey and the various portages that tested the endurance of every member.

After the expedition, Werner settled in Virginia and is believed to have lived there for some years, though the details of his later life remain obscure.

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