Lewis's Fort Mountain
by Joseph A. Mussulman
“This mountain has a singular appearance. it is situated in a level plain, it’s sides stand nearly at right angles with each other and are each about a mile in extent … from it’s figure we gave it the name of fort mountain.”
Every hunter, after following the land instead of the river, had to somehow end his day within sight or sound of the party’s camp at a location which no one could have known in advance. They were not always successful.
Private
by Barbara Fifer, Joseph A. Mussulman
Colter left a legacy of western lore, not the least of which was his famous run from the Blackfeet Indians and his exploration of “Colter’s Hell.” Yet his contributions to the expedition were also many.
Antelope, Antilocapra americana
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The men of the Corps of Discovery must have been electrified by their first sighting of the pronghorn antelope at the northeast corner of today’s state of Nebraska. Naturalists were eager to find the answers to some basic questions about them.
White Salmon and Smock-shops
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Wind Mountain was at the western extent of a series of Upper Chinookan villages called by Lewis and Clark the “Chilluckkittequaw nation.” Apparently, when asked for a tribal name, the captains were given the word for ‘he pointed at me’. Chilluckittequaw was adopted as their name a century later by early ethnographer Frederick Hodge. Between Wind Mountain and Hood River, nine villages have been identified, some overlapping with Klickitats
The bald and golden eagles
by Joseph A. Mussulman
En route to the Pacific Ocean, Lewis and Clark saw both species of eagles that are native to North America: the black-and-white one called the bald eagle, and the brown-and-gold one commonly known as the golden eagle, but which the explorers knew as the grey eagle.
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At the theater
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In his book “Jeffersonian America”, British diplomat Augustus Foster describes the reactions of the Mandans during a rope dance performance at the Washington City theater. Also in attendance are five Osage delegates and Meriwether Lewis who gives a nod of approval when they ask to perform the Calumet dance.
Easton's triumph
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In St. Louis, postmaster and land speculator Rufus Easton writes to President Thomas Jefferson declaring triumph over James Wilkinson’s persecution and seeking to color any report from Meriwether Lewis and William Clark concerning Antoine Soulard’s Archive of Surveys.
The Cumberland River
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Near this date, Lewis and company travel on the Wilderness Road between the Laurel River and the broad Cumberland River valley. Situated halfway between Corbin and Pineville, Barboursville was a common stop along the Wilderness Road, and Richard Ballinger’s tavern—built c. 1795—was considered the best inn between Crab Orchard and the Cumberland Gap. In April 1750, Thomas Walker named and described the Cumberland River, and his party built a cabin nearby.
Over the Castlerock Hills
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Near this date, Lewis and company cross the Rockcastle River, climb up the Rockcastle Hills, and then drop down to Hazel Patch and finally, the Laurel River crossing south of present London, Kentucky. The route changed little between 1750 and 1861.
Elsewhere, news of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s return to St. Louis reaches Hartford, Connecticut.
Clark's homecoming
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The arrival of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their entourage at the Falls of the Ohio is noted by Clark’s older brother.
Back in St. Louis, problems with French and Spanish land titles mount as the former Surveyor General writes his defense against the unfavorable review he received when Lewis and Clark inspected his books of plots and surveys.
Beautiful town, delightful river
by Kristopher K. Townsend
After crossing the Embarras River near present Lawrenceville, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Osage and Mandan delegates head southeast to Vincennes on the far shore of the Wabash River. Both George Rogers Clark and his brother William left written records of their time there.
Corrupt land grants
by Kristopher K. Townsend
After the transfer of Louisiana to the United States, Antoine Soulard was retained as its Surveyor General. By 1806, Secretary of State Albert Gallatin wanted possession of his Archive of Surveys. To get them, he replaced Soulard with Silas Bent who shortly after his arrival in St. Louis penned a letter claiming systematic corruption.
Return to "bald pated" prairie
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The enlisted men are anxious to get home, and they paddle hard down the swift Missouri River crowded with snags. They leave present Iowa and enter Missouri, and after 73 miles, they return to the “bald pated” prairie of 6 July 1804. Lewis appears to have fully recovered from his gunshot wound.
Lookout Bend
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Despite high waves, the enlisted men paddle about 43 miles reaching Jean Vallé’s old trading post on Lookout Bend in present South Dakota. Clark explores a bluff containing bentonite clay and blames the area’s lack of game on the Sioux.
Parting gifts
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At the Knife River Villages in present North Dakota, a Mandan village gifts more corn than the expedition boats can carry. A swivel gun is given to Hidatsa Chief Le Borgne, and the blacksmith tools are given to Charbonneau. Mandan Chief Sheheke (Big White) agrees to go to Washington City.
In St. Louis, a discredited James Wilkinson leaves town after being recalled as Governor of Upper Louisiana—a change that would directly impact Meriwether Lewis.
Grizzly attacks canoe
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Clark and his group near the mouth of the Yellowstone, but they are delayed by large bison herds crossing the river. When a grizzly bear attacks their catamaran-style canoe, they fire three balls.
On the Missouri about fifteen miles below the mouth of the Musselshell, Lewis stops to rest his men and dry things out. He is anxious to reunite with Clark at the mouth of the Yellowstone.
Having failed in his mission to take the horses to the Knife River Villages, Sgt. Pryor wisely decides to build two bull boats in case they have an accident moving down the Yellowstone.
Canoe dealers
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Interpreter George Drouillard and a party of Clatsops arrive with a canoe for sale, but the captains fail to make a deal. Clark reports news of trading ships to the north, and Lewis describes steelhead and cutthroat trout.
In Washington City, the Secretary of War reports on the Indian delegations visiting the city. He finds Arikara chief Too Né (Eagle Feather) an “interesting character”.
Youngs River Falls
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Fort Clatsop, hunters find a large waterfall—today’s Youngs River Falls, and Clatsop traders bring some fish. Hunters report that the elk have vacated the area, and the captains come up with a plan to leave Fort Clatsop early should they run out of provisions.
In Washington City, President Jefferson invites the Attorney General to visit Arikara chief Too Né (Eagle Feather) who possesses the art of Plains Sign Language.
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