In St. Louis, the captains attend to post-expedition details. William Clark resigns his commission as Lieutenant in the Corps of Artillerists, and Meriwether Lewis writes discharge papers for Pvt. William Bratton.
Clark’s Resignation Letter
Contemporary Copy
Courtesy Missouri Historial Society, mohistory.org/collections/item/A0289-01344.
Clark Resigns
St. Louis 10th October 1806
Sir,
The inclosed commission haveing answered the purpose for which it was intended, I take the liberty of returning it to you.
I have the honor to be with
every Sentiment of the highest
respect Your Most Obedient
and Very humble Sevent,William Clark
Despite acting as a captain throughout the expedition and eventually being given a captain’s pay, Clark’s commission was actually as a Lieutenant in the Corps of Artillerists. For more, see Clark’s Military Rank.
Bratton’s Discharge
St. Louis October 10th 1806
To all whom it may concern,
Know ye, that the bearer hereof William Bratton, private in a corps distined for the discovery of the interior of the continent of North America, having faithfully discharged his duty . . . is in virtue of the authority vested in me by the President of the United States hereby discharged from the military service of the said States; and as a tribute justly due the merits of the said Willm. Bratton, I with cheerfullness declare that the ample support which he gave me under every difficulty, the manly firmness which he evinced on every necessary occation, and the fortitude with which he boar the fatugues and painfull sufferings incident to that long Voyage, entitled him to my highest confidence and sincere thanks; while it eminently recommends him to the consideration and respect of his fellow Citizens.
Meriwether Lewis Capt.
1st U.S. Reft. Infty.
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Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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