Rounding Snyder Bend
by Kristopher K. Townsend
As the enlisted men and engagés move the boats around an eighteen-mile bend in the Missouri River—present Snyder Bend—a coyote barks like a feist dog. At camp, mosquitoes are “verry troublesome” and in Sgt. Floyd’s mess, Pvt. Weiser replaces Pvt. Thompson as cook.
A day at 'Bald Pated' Prairie
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The expedition spends the day at a “Bald Pated Prairie” near the present Iowa-Missouri border. The Missouri’s current is measured using a log line, reel, and ship, mosquitoes come and go with the wind, and tumors trouble several of the enlisted men and engagés.
In Washington City, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn gives instructions to Pierre Chouteau—a recently appointed Indian Agent for Upper Louisiana.
Clearing a channel
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The expedition sails several miles up the Missouri River, but later in the day the enlisted men and engagés must clear the channel of driftwood and tow the boats. At camp near the mouth of present the Crooked River in Missouri, Lewis issues mosquito netting.
In Philadelphia, German polymath Alexander von Humboldt—returning from his Mexican and Cuban expedition—writes to Secretary of State James Madison seeking funding for another expedition.
St. Charles arrival
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The boats set out early, pass the coal beds of Charbonier Bluff, and reach St. Charles, an early French settlement on the Missouri River. Many citizens come out to see the event and socialization commences.
Still in St. Louis, Lewis authorizes Amos Stoddard, the commandant of Upper Louisiana Territory, to act as his agent concerning any Indian delegations and engagés sent to St. Louis.
From Washington City, the Secretary of War Henry Dearborn asks Capt. Amos Stoddard to continue as Civil Commandant of Upper Louisiana.
Officer of the Day
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The day is rainy at winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri. In his journal, Sgt. John Ordway records detachment orders for Officer of the Day and leaving camp. Lewis continues working in St. Louis.
From Washington City, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn tells Captain Amos Stoddard that Major James Bruff will soon arrive to replace him.
Finding Simon Girty
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Lewis sends Thomas Jefferson Osage orange cuttings from Pierre Chouteau’s garden and in one of the Indian camps near the mouth of the Missouri, Clark meets Simon Girty, an infamous American traitor.
Quarters and stores
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, Illinois, the day begins with sub-zero temperatures. While they are in St. Louis, the captains leave specific orders for Sgt. Floyd regarding quarters and stores.
Big Bone Lick
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Lewis is likely at Big Bone Lick collecting fossils and fellow travelers Thomas Rodney and Nicholas Cresswell describe the diggings that he saw. Elsewhere, the U.S. Army expects problems with Spain.
To Big Bone Lick
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this date, Lewis leaves Cincinnati for Big Bone Lick where he expects to collect fossils for Thomas Jefferson. Elsewhere, tensions rise between Spain and the United States over Louisiana.
Augusta, Kentucky
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this date, Lewis and his flotilla travel between Maysville and Augusta, Kentucky. Thomas Rodney notes ferry crossings and extensive settlements on this stretch of the Ohio River, and he describes Augusta.
Hanging Rock
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this date, Lewis passes a notable hanging rock often mentioned by Ohio River travelers. At Alexandria—present Portsmouth, Ohio—a massive complex of mounds from the ancient Ohio Hopewell culture can be seen and at Vanceburg, Kentucky, a ‘handsome settlement’ supports the nearby salt works.
Two leaky canoes
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Lewis continues his experiment with fog, and they move down the river and enter Ohio. The pirogue springs a serious leak, and a new canoe is purchased. It also leaks. Articles are inspected and dried, and a new crew member is hired. Camp is near Newell in present West Virginia.
Ohio River flatboats
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Pittsburgh, Lewis oversees the final steps to complete the expedition’s military-style barge. All summer he could see flat-bottomed boats heading down the river—each a reminder that he is unable to get underway.
New Orleans smugglers
by Kristopher K. Townsend
As Clark waits in Louisville and Lewis waits in Pittsburgh for the barge to be ready, the Governor of the Mississippi Territory answers Thomas Jefferson’s questions about Louisiana. In his letter, he describes smuggling at New Orleans—an activity experienced first-hand by Clark.
Forts Duquesne and Pitt
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Pittsburgh, Lewis oversees construction of the expedition’s military-style barge prior to departing down the Ohio River. His base is the U.S. Army headquarters at Fort Fayette. Nearby, remnants of two earlier forts—Pitt and Duquesne—can still be seen.
Building Fort Kaskaskia
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Pittsburgh, Lewis oversees construction of the barge and waits to see if Clark will accept or decline his offer to co-command his Western expedition. In Washington City, orders are issued to lease land in Kaskaskia to build an American Army post to support the transfer of Louisiana and Jefferson’s Western expeditions.
Stoddard's orders
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Pittsburgh, Lewis is working and waiting for the day he can begin down the Ohio River.
In Washington City, Cpt. Stoddard’s orders are to support President Jefferson’s Western expeditions and the transfer of Louisiana to the United States by recommending the best location for an Army fort west of the Mississippi.
Gifts and fishing tackle
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Philadelphia, Purveyor of Public Supplies Israel Whelan buys over $150 of gifts and trade items and $25 of fishing tackle.
Spain announces the retrocession of Louisiana to France, and Washington City residents learn that the port of New Orleans has reopened to American trade.
The price for Louisiana
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Paris, France, the Louisiana Purchase negotiators settle on a price—80 million francs (about 15 million dollars) plus payment of French debts worth about 20 million francs (3.75 million dollars). This is twice as much as Napoleon originally desired.
Philadelphia mentors
by Kristopher K. Townsend
From Washington City, President Jefferson tells Lewis that he has mentors waiting for him in Philadelphia. He also misinforms the public by saying his Western Expedition will explore the Mississippi River.
In Paris, James Monroe, Robert Livingston, and François Barbé-Marbois negotiate a price for Louisiana’s purchase.
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