Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark expedition would go where no American had gone before. The journey ventured through the last greatest wilderness of the world. Many believed that Woolly Mammoths still existed and it was unknown what plants and species would be found. It was well known that Native Indians had lived there for centuries. The journey was funded by President Thomas Jefferson who was looking for a way for America to expand into the west of the country. He chose his chief aid Meriwether Lewis as the captain of the expedition because he was a soldier and woodsmen. Lewis asked William Clark to join him who was four years his senior, known for his skills in expert map making and river crossings.
One could only guess at what was in the unchartered west although some believed that natural riches lie there. Thomas Jefferson wanted to open the west to America and to join Louisiana with the rest of the United States. At the time of their crossing, Britain ruled Canada and Oregon while Russia ruled over the Pacific North West. Spain owned parts of the South and West. France had Louisiana that had recently been sold to America for 15 million dollars. It was therefore a strategic journey for America.
The expedition departed from Saint Louis with experienced French Canadian soldiers and river men. The men left their families behind to find a water route and northwest passage. Lewis was solitary and meticulous with a good knowledge of plants and animals while Clark was responsible for hunting, record keeping and map making. The men travelled against the river with heavy gear only making a few miles a day up the Missouri River. They had to deal with ticks and mosquitoes. In Omaha and Nebraska they had their first encounter with the Otoe and Missouri country Indians where they were welcomed for trade.
The expedition pushed into the Great Plains where Lewis discovered new species such as Prairie dogs, saw large herds of Buffalo and Native Indian hunters. They informed the Indians along the way that the land was now claimed and gave small gifts or traded goods. They advised that trade would be of benefit to the Indians. They went through lands with Sioux, Omaha, Iowa, Crow, Blackfeet, Cheyenne and many others who were hunters, farmers and fishermen either living peacefully or were at war. The Teton Sioux were the most powerful tribe in the middle Missouri and going through their land was met with many conflicts. The tribe easily outnumbered the men and declared that the men should not go on by chief Black Buffalo who later backed down in exchange for gifts.
The men had covered 1600 miles however the northern Prairie and cold winter months was ahead. They stayed near the Manda tribes who were known to be welcoming of traders. The men stayed for the winter and named Fort Mandan after the tribe. The expedition went through very cold conditions. It was in Mandan that they met Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman who had been captured. The woman was pregnant but was a vital source of information and could interpret on the journey. They were told by the chief that they could cover a mountain pass in half a day with horses and the Shoshone tribe could help on their journey. During the winter at Mandan Fort, maps along with collections of plants and animal species were packed to be sent to Thomas Jefferson and to be taken down river in the spring.
On the journey Sacagawea became very important showing the men new plants such as apples, root vegetables and liquorices, she helped with boats that were upturned as well. The men faced a fork in the river at Montana and the men needed to know the right direction. They had been told of a waterfall that would lead them in the right direction however it was too large and the expedition party had to go around it 17 miles over rough terrain. The men were badly worn down after a month of their detour and they still had mountains to cross. Lewis left with a scout party to find the Shoshone and to get horses. Clark and the rest labored on through the river to the Missouri source. From there they hoped for a mountain crossing and then a quick ride with the currents to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis eventually found the source of the great Missouri River but was confronted with mountains. The need for horses was ever greater.
Lewis made contact with the Shoshone tribe the next day and persuaded them to meet Clark on the river. Sacagawea interpreted between the natives and expedition party. She luckily discovered that the chief was her brother. The party spent two weeks with the Shoshone to rest. Ahead was the mountain lands ahead claimed by Britain, France and Russia.
They entered the Rocky Mountain near Montana and Idaho border on a treacherous cold and icy journey through the mountains. There was no gain in moving through the mountains and starvation and fatigue set in. A small party went ahead to find a way out and Clark found his way out of the mountain coming cross the Nez Perce tribe. The tribe spared the men’s lives because of an old woman who pleaded for their lives. For two weeks the tribe provided food and comfort with Lewis calling them very hospitable people. The men were now going down stream into rapids down the Columbia North West and would be passing through rapids on their way to the pacific coast.
His party had done what many thought was impossible. They made it alive to their destination of the Pacific Coast. On their arrival they would camp for the upcoming winter. It is the first time that a slave (York) and a woman (Sacagawea) were allowed to vote in America. Near Osteria in Oregon, they set up camp for the winter. Fort Clatstop was created where the party traded with the natives for food while it rained continuously. In the spring the expedition finally made a six month return trip back to Saint Louis after already being away for two years.
The journey opened up the west for Americans but the Native American way of life would never be the same. The expedition party passed through 50 different tribes. Without the natives help, they would have never returned home. Sacagawea and the young baby stayed behind in Mandan where she stayed with her family. The expedition reached St Louis and they were claimed national heroes as the first citizens to cross the continent. Lewis had found 178 plants and 122 animals on the expedition some of which were new to scientific community. Clark had drawn new and accurate maps and the nation’s future charter through the continent.
Lewis was named governor of the Louisiana territory and took his own life after three years in controversial circumstances. Clark was named governor of Missouri. Only one expedition member died on the journey but two Blackfeet Indians were killed on the return trip. Clarke’s slave known as York was granted freedom ten years after returning. Most believe Sacagawea died only six years after he return to the tribe although some say she returned to the Shoshone tribe and lived to be 100. Her son Jean Baptiste was raised by Captain Clark, after a life of adventure in Europe and the west, he died in Oregon at age 63.
Bibliography
Youtube 2014. Lewis and Clark Great Expedition National Geographic. Accessed June 22nd 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa6lL60PP0g&feature=youtu.be
