Prior to the expedition, the Hidatsa had settled in three villages just north of two Mandan villages in a complex now called the Knife River Villages. There, they practiced horticulture and hunting in the manner of the Plains Village tradition.
The Lemhi Shoshones were the first Indians they had seen since leaving the Hidatsas and Mandans. In describing them, Lewis was breaking entirely new scientific ground. His account is therefore invaluable as the first description ever of a Rocky Mountain tribe, in an almost pre-contact stage.
Collecting Fossils for Thomas Jefferson
by Earle E. Spamer, Richard M. McCourt
After leaving Pittsburgh, Lewis had his first two opportunities to personally delve into the new science of paleontology. One was a trip to Big Bone Lick, a natural salt lick and fossil bed more than 15,000 years old, situated in Kentucky less than 20 miles southwest of Cincinnati.
When interviewing William Clark and George Shannon to prepare his condensation of the expedition journals, Nicholas Biddle wrote in his notes that “The Multnomah nation is placed on the Wappatoe Island opposite the mouth of the Multh. river and the inlet which forms the island. . . . the neighbors speak of the Multnomah nations as great &c.”
Writing commences
In St. Louis, the expedition has ended, and in his concluding journal entry, Clark says “we commenced wrighting &c”. President Jefferson will give the story to The National Intelligencer.
Eighteen toasts
After storing botanical and zoological specimens in Pierre Chouteau’s St. Louis warehouse, the captains attend a ball. At Christy’s Tavern, eighteen toasts are given in honor of the “Missouri expedition”.
Writing letters
From St. Louis, the captains write letters to President Jefferson and Clark’s brother, Jonathan. They give them to George Drouillard to deliver to the postmaster in Cahokia.
Fort Belle Fontaine salute
The expedition waits for the rain to stop before leaving St. Charles. They arrive at Fort Belle Fontaine, a military cantonment and Indian trade factory built after the expedition left St. Louis in 1804.
St. Charles hospitality
The boatmen paddle and row the 48 miles from La Charrette to St. Charles. They are greeted by the latter’s citizens with great cheer and hospitality. Lewis starts a letter to President Jefferson.
La Charrette welcome
After 68 miles of hard paddling, the expedition arrives at the French settlement of La Charrette. They fire three rounds, and the villagers return the welcome. They enjoy their first beef since leaving.
Anxious paddlers
Determined to make it to La Charrette by tomorrow, the men paddle hard stopping only once. After 72 miles, they reach the Osage River and encamp. Many of the men have sore eyes and lips.
In "greatest harmoney"
Moving down the Missouri, the expedition enters the lands of the Kansa. They meet three boats with news and provisions, and at camp near present Leavenworth, Kansas, they sing in ‘greatest harmony’.
Given up for dead
At present St. Joseph, Missouri, the captains modify orders given to Pierre Dorion and Joseph Gravelines. An old military companion, Robert McClellan, says that they have all been given up for dead.
News of Zebulon Pike
Fur traders heading up the river tell the captains that Zebulon Pike is leading an expedition to the source of the Arkansas River. They end the day near present Bean Lake, Missouri.
A taste of whiskey
Moving down the Missouri along the present Nebraska-Iowa border, the expedition meets a large boat owned by Auguste Chouteau of St. Louis. Some men trade beaver skins for linen shirts and woven hats.
Challenging river
The narrowing Missouri river challenges the paddlers and rowers who must navigate its many bends and hazards. By the end of the day, they camp near present Onawa, Iowa, 75 miles closer to home.
Floyd's grave
On a wet morning, the expedition sets out with ample tobacco and flour obtained from trader James Aird. They stop to visit Sgt. Floyd’s grave and camp early to dry out near present Dakota City, Nebraska.
News from home
Moving down the Missouri, they meet a group of traders who tell them that Jefferson is again president and that Alexander Hamilton died in a duel with Aaron Burr. They camp above present Sioux City, Iowa.
Lewis's great disappointment
Detachments at the Yellowstone River Canoe Camp and Great Falls of the Missouri search for missing horses. Lewis sees that Cut Bank Creek does not go north and stops to hunt and make celestial observations.
Hopes dim and rise
Lewis sees the Marias watershed and hopes for extending the Louisiana Territory dim. Clark builds dugouts on the Yellowstone and hopes Hugh Heney will accept a commission. Ordway and Gass are at the Falls of the Missouri.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).