Timeline of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Encyclopedia
This is the timeline
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
through the American West (1803–1806).
Timeline
A timeline is a way of displaying a list of events in chronological order, sometimes described as a project artifact . It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labeled with dates alongside itself and events labeled on points where they would have happened.-Uses of timelines:Timelines...
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
through the American West (1803–1806).
1804
- May 14 – The Corps of Discovery departs from Camp DuboisCamp DuboisCamp Dubois, near present day Hartford, Illinois, served as the winter camp for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from December 12, 1803, to May 14, 1804.It was located on the east side of the Mississippi River so that it was still in United States territory...
at 4 P.M., marking the beginning of the voyage to the Pacific coastPacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. - May 16 – The Corps of Discovery arrives at St. Charles, Missouri.
- May 21 – Departure from St. Charles at 3:30pm.
- May 24 – Pass Boones Settlement. Home of famous woodsman L.Willenborg.
- May 25 – The expedition passes the small village of La Charrette on the Missouri RiverMissouri RiverThe Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. Charles FloydCharles Floyd (explorer)Charles Floyd was a United States explorer, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and quartermaster in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A native of Kentucky, he was a relative of William Clark, an uncle to the politician John Floyd, and a brother to James John Floyd...
writes in his journal that this is "the last settlement of whites on this river." - June 1 – The expedition reaches the Osage RiverOsage RiverThe Osage River is a tributary of the Missouri River in central Missouri in the United States. The Osage River is one of the larger rivers in Missouri. The river drains a mostly rural area of . The watershed includes an area of east-central Kansas and a large portion of west-central and central...
. - June 12 – Lewis and Clark meet three trappers in two piroguePirogueA pirogue is a small, flat-bottomed boat of a design associated particularly with the Cajuns of the Louisiana marsh. In West Africa they were used as traditional fishing boats. These boats are not usually intended for overnight travel but are light and small enough to be easily taken onto land...
s. One of the men was Pierre Dorion-who knew George Rogers ClarkGeorge Rogers ClarkGeorge Rogers Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky militia throughout much of the war...
. Lewis and Clark persuade Dorion to return to SiouxSiouxThe Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
camp to act as interpreter. - June 26 – The expedition arrives at Kaw PointKaw PointKaw Point is the name given to the point where the Kansas River terminates at the Missouri River in the West Bottoms area of Kansas City, Kansas. Kaw Point is also where the Missouri ceases its southerly course and turns to flow generally east through the State of Missouri to the Mississippi River...
where the Kansas RiverKansas RiverThe Kansas River is a river in northeastern Kansas in the United States. It is the southwestern-most part of the Missouri River drainage, which is in turn the northwestern-most portion of the extensive Mississippi River drainage. Its name come from the Kanza people who once inhabited the area...
drains into the Missouri RiverMissouri RiverThe Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
basin. - June 28–29 – First trial in new territory. Pvt. John Collins is on guard duty and breaks into the supplies and gets drunk. Collins invites Pvt. Hugh Hall to drink also. Collins receives 100 lashes, Hall receives 50 lashes.
- July 4 – Marking Independence DayIndependence Day (United States)Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
, the expedition names Independence Creek located near Atchison, KansasAtchison, KansasAtchison is a city situated along the Missouri River in the eastern part of Atchison County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,021. It is the county seat and most populous city of Atchison County...
. - July 11–12 – Second trial in new territory. Pvt. Alexander Hamilton WillardAlexander Hamilton WillardAlexander Hamilton Willard was a blacksmith who joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition.-Origin:Alexander Hamilton Willard Sr. was born in July 1777 in the town Charlestown, New Hampshire, he was the oldest son of Lt Jonathan Willard and the only child of Betty Caswell...
is on guard duty. Is charged with lying down and sleeping at his post whilst a sentinel. Punishable by death. He receives 100 lashes for four straight days. - July 21 – Reaches the Platte RiverPlatte RiverThe Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
, 640 miles from St Louis. Entering SiouxSiouxThe Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
Territory. - August 1 – Captain William Clark's 34th birthday.
- August 3 – The Corps of Discovery holds the first official council between representatives of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the OtoOtoe tribeThe Otoe or Oto are a Native American people. The Otoe language, Chiwere, is part of the Siouan family and closely related to that of the related Iowa and Missouri tribes.-History:...
and MissouriMissouri tribeThe Missouria or Missouri are a Native American tribe that originated in the Great Lakes region of United States before European contact. The tribe belongs to the Chiwere division of the Siouan language family, together with the Iowa and Otoe...
Indians at Council Bluffs, IowaCouncil Bluffs, IowaCouncil Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
. They hand out peace medals, 15-star flags and other gifts, parade men and show off technology. - August 4 – Moses Reed said he was returning to a previous camp to retrieve a knife but he was actually returning to St. Louis (deserting).
- August 18 – George DrouillardGeorge DrouillardGeorge Drouillard was a civilian interpreter for the Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery.-Biography:George Drouillard was born in 1773 at the Detroit River region, son of Pierre Drouillard and a Shawnee woman of the Flat Head sept named Asoundechris...
returns to camp with Reed and Otos' Chief Little Thief. Reed is sentenced to run the gauntlet (approximately 500 lashes) and is discharged from the permanent party. - August 18 – Captain Meriwether Lewis's 30th birthday.
- August 20 – Sergeant Charles FloydCharles Floyd (explorer)Charles Floyd was a United States explorer, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and quartermaster in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A native of Kentucky, he was a relative of William Clark, an uncle to the politician John Floyd, and a brother to James John Floyd...
dies. He dies from Bilious Chorlick (ruptured appendix) He is the only member lost during the expedition. - August 23 – Pvt. Joseph FieldJoseph FieldJoseph Field was born in 1774 in Culpepper County, Virginia. His older brother Reuben was born in 1772. They were raised in Kentucky and considered to be part of the "nine young men from Kentucky" in the Lewis and Clark Expedition which they joined on August 1, 1803. Both men were known as fine...
kills first bison. - August 26 – Pvt. Patrick GassPatrick GassPatrick Gass served as sergeant in the Lewis and Clark Expedition . He was important to the expedition because of his service as carpenter and he published the first journal of the expedition in 1807, seven years before the first publication based on Lewis and Clark's journals.-Early life:Gass...
is elected to Sergeant. First election in new territory west of Mississippi RiverMississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. George Shannon is selected to get the horses back from Indians. - August 30 – A friendly council with the Yankton Sioux held. According to a legend, Lewis wraps a newborn baby in a United States flag and declares him "an American."
- September 4 – Reach the mouth of the Niobrara RiverNiobrara RiverThe Niobrara River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, running through the U.S. states of Wyoming and Nebraska. The river drains one of the most arid sections of the Great Plains, and has a low flow for a river of its length...
. - September 7 – The expedition drives a prairie dogPrairie dogPrairie dogs are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. There are five different species of prairie dogs: black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison's, Utah and Mexican prairie dogs. They are a type of ground squirrel, found in the United States, Canada and Mexico...
out of its den (by pouring water into it) to send back to Jefferson. - September 14 – Hunters kill and describe prairie goat (antelope).
- September 25–29 – A band of Lakota Sioux demand one of the boats as a toll for moving further upriver. Meet with Teton Sioux. Close order drill, air gun demo, gifts of medals, military coat, hats, tobacco. Hard to communicate language problems. Invite chiefs on board keelboat, give each 1/2 glass whiskey, acted drunk wanted more. Two armed confrontations with Sioux. Some of the chiefs sleep on boat, move up river to another village, meet in lodge, hold scalp dance.
- October 8–11 – Pass Grand RiverGrand River (South Dakota)The Grand River is a tributary of the Missouri River in North Dakota and South Dakota in the United States. The length of the combined branch is 110 mi...
home of the ArikaraArikaraArikara are a group of Native Americans in North Dakota...
Indians 2,000+. Joseph Gravelins trader, lived with ArikaraArikaraArikara are a group of Native Americans in North Dakota...
for 13 yrs. Pierre Antoine Tabeau lived in another village was from Quebec. - October 13 – Pvt. John NewmanJohn Newman (Corps of Discovery)Private John Newman was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was born in Pennsylvania and was a member of captain Daniel Bissell's company of the First Infantry Regiment...
tried for insubordination (who was prompted by Reed) and received 75 lashes. Newman was discarded from the permanent party. - October 24 – Met their first Mandan Chief, Big White. Joseph Gravelins acted as interpreter.
- October 24 – Expedition reaches the earth-log villages of the Mandans and the HidatsaHidatsaThe Hidatsa are a Siouan people, a part of the Three Affiliated Tribes. The Hidatsa's autonym is Hiraacá. According to the tribal tradition, the word hiraacá derives from the word "willow"; however, the etymology is not transparent and the similarity to mirahací ‘willows’ inconclusive...
s. The captains decide to build Fort MandanFort MandanFort Mandan was the name of the encampment at which the Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered in 1804-1805. The encampment was located on the Missouri River approximately twelve miles from Washburn, North Dakota, though the precise location is not known for certain and may be under the nearby...
across the river from the main village. - October 26 – Rene Jessaume lived with Mandan for More than 10 years, hired as Mandan interpreter. Hugh McCracken a trader with the North West CompanyNorth West CompanyThe North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
. Francois-Antoine Larocque, Charles MacKenzie also visited L&C. - November–December – Constructed Fort Mandan.
- November 2 –Hired Baptiste La Page to replace Newman.
- November 4 – The captains meet Toussaint CharbonneauToussaint CharbonneauToussaint Charbonneau was a French-Canadian explorer and trader, and a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He is also known as the husband of Sacagawea.-Early years:...
, a French-Canadian fur trapper living among the Hidatsas with his two ShoshoneShoshoneThe Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
wives, SacagaweaSacagaweaSacagawea ; was a Lemhi Shoshone woman, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide, in their exploration of the Western United States...
and Little Otter. - December 24 – Fort Mandan is considered complete. Expedition moves in for the winter.
1805
- January 1 – The Corps of Discovery celebrates the New Year by "Two discharges of cannon and Musick-a fiddle, tambereen and a sounden horn."
- February 9 – Thomas Howard scaled the fort wall and an Indian followed his example. "Setting a pernicious example to the savages" 50 lashes-only trial at Fort Mandan and last on expedition. Lashes remitted by Lewis.
- February 11 – SacagaweaSacagaweaSacagawea ; was a Lemhi Shoshone woman, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide, in their exploration of the Western United States...
gives birth to Jean Baptiste CharbonneauJean Baptiste CharbonneauJean Baptiste Charbonneau was an American explorer and guide, fur trapper and trader, military scout during the Mexican-American War, alcalde of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, and a gold prospector and hotel operator in California. He spoke French and English, and learned German and Spanish...
, the youngest member of the expedition. Jean Baptiste is nicknamed "Pomp" by Clark. Lewis aided in the delivery of Sacagawea's baby, used rattle of rattlesnake to aid delivery.(Jessaume's idea). - April 7 to April 25 – Fort Mandan to Yellowstone River.
- April 7 – The permanent party of the Corps of Discovery leaves Fort Mandan. The keelboat is sent down river. Left Fort Mandan in 6 canoes and 2 pirogues. Thomas Howard received a letter from his wife Natalia.
- April 25 – Reached Yellowstone River Roche Jaune-sent Joseph Field up river to find yellowstoner-saw Big Horn Sheep and brought back horns. Lewis searched area thought it would be a good area for fort. Future forts were built, Fort UnionFort Union Trading Post National Historic SiteFort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is the site of a partially reconstructed trading post on the Missouri River and the North Dakota/Montana border twenty-five miles from Williston. It is one of the earliest declared National Historic Landmarks of the United States...
and Fort BufordFort BufordFort Buford was a United States Army base at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers in North Dakota, and the site of Sitting Bull's surrender in 1881....
. - May 14 – A sudden storm tips a piroguePirogueA pirogue is a small, flat-bottomed boat of a design associated particularly with the Cajuns of the Louisiana marsh. In West Africa they were used as traditional fishing boats. These boats are not usually intended for overnight travel but are light and small enough to be easily taken onto land...
(boat) and many items, such as supplies and the Corps' journals, spill over into the river. Sacagawea calmly recovers most of the items; Clark later credits her with quick thinking. - April 25 to June 3 – Yellowstone RiverYellowstone RiverThe Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of the Yellowstone National...
to Marias RiverMarias RiverThe Marias River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 210 mi long, in the U.S. state of Montana. It is formed in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Glacier County, in northwestern Montana, by the confluence of the Cut Bank Creek and the Two Medicine River...
. - April 27 – Entered present day state of MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. - May 5 – Lewis and a hunter killed first grizzly bearGrizzly BearThe grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
. - May 8 – Milk river. Called because of its milky white appearance. Natives called it "a river which scolds all others".
- June 3 to June 20 – Marias River to the Great Falls.
- June 3 – The mouth of the Marias RiverMarias RiverThe Marias River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 210 mi long, in the U.S. state of Montana. It is formed in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Glacier County, in northwestern Montana, by the confluence of the Cut Bank Creek and the Two Medicine River...
is reached. Camp Deposit is established. Cached blacksmith bellows and tools, bear skins, axes, auger, files, 2 kegs of parched corn, 2 kegs of pork, a keg of salt, chisels, tin cups, two rifles, beaver traps. 24 lb of powder in lead kegs in separate caches. Hid red pirogue. Indians did not tell them of this river. Unable to immediately determine which river is the Missouri, a scouting party is sent to explore each branch, North fork (Marias), South fork (Missouri). Sgt. Gass and 2 others go up south fork. Sgt. Pryor and 2 others go up north fork. Can't decide which river is Missouri. Clark, Gass, Shannon, York and Fields brothers go up south fork. Lewis, Drouillard, Shields, Windsor Pryor, Cruzatte, Lepage go up north fork. Most men in expedition believe north fork is the Missouri. Lewis and Clark believe south fork is Missouri and followed that fork. - June 13 – Scouting ahead of the expedition, Lewis and four companions sight the Great Falls of the Missouri RiverGreat Falls of the Missouri RiverThe Great Falls of the Missouri River are a series of waterfalls on the Missouri River in north-central Montana in the United States. The five falls, which are located in a area of the river, are:*Black Eagle Falls ;*Colter Falls ;*Rainbow Falls ;...
, confirming that they were heading in the right direction. Lewis writes when he discovers the Great Falls of the Missouri. "When my ears were saluted with the agreeable sound of a fall of water and advancing a little further I saw the spray arrise above the plain like a column of smoke.....began to make a roaring too tremendous to be mistaken for any cause short of the great falls of the Missouri." - June 14 – Lewis takes off on an exploratory walk of the north side of the river. Lewis shoots a bison. While he is watching the bison die, a grizzly bear sneaks up on him and chases him into river.
- June 21 to July 2 – A portage of boats and equipment is made around the falls.
- June 27 – cached- desk, books, specimens of plants and minerals, 2 kegs of pork, 1/2 keg of flour, 2 blunderbusses, 1/2 keg of fixed ammo.,and other small articles.
- June – 18.4 miles Clark surveyed route. Clark was the first white man to see falls from south side of river. As Clark was surveying route he discovered a giant fountain (Giant SpringsGiant SpringsGiant Springs is a large first magnitude spring located near Great Falls, Montana. Its water has a temperature of 54o F and originates from snowmelt in the Little Belt Mountains, away...
). - June 22 to July 9 – Construction of iron framed boat used to replace pirogues. It was floated on July 9 but leaked after a rain storm. The boat failed and was dismantled and cached July 10.
- July 10 to July 15 – Established canoe camp to construct 2 new dugout canoes to replace failed iron frame boat.
- July 15 to August 8 – Great Falls to the ShoshoneShoshoneThe Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
Indians. Left canoe camp with 8 vessels traveled through the Gates of the MountainsGates of the Mountains WildernessThe Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of Montana. Created by an act of Congress in 1964, the wilderness is managed by Helena National Forest...
, to the Three ForksMissouri Headwaters State ParkMissouri Headwaters State Park is a Montana state park that marks the official start of the Missouri River. It includes the Three Forks of the Missouri National Historic Landmark.It is located near Three Forks, Montana at an elevation of ....
(the 3 rivers that make up the Missouri River, The Jefferson RiverJefferson RiverThe Jefferson River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, in the U.S. state of Montana. The Jefferson River and the Madison River form the official beginning of the Missouri at Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks...
, The Gallatin RiverGallatin RiverThe Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 120 mi , in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana...
and the Madison RiverMadison RiverThe Madison River is a headwater tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 183 miles long, in Wyoming and Montana. Its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers near Three Forks, Montana form the Missouri River....
). The expedition is 2464.4 miles from mouth of the Missouri River. They pass Beaverhead RockBeaverhead RockBeaverhead Rock is a rock feature identified by Sacagawea during the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a landmark not distant from the summer retreat of her nation...
. - August 1 – Captain Clark's 35th birthday.
- August 11 – Captain Lewis sights first Indian, since Ft. Mandan.
- August 12 – Scouting separately from the main party, Lewis crosses the Continental DivideContinental DivideThe Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Gulf of Division or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain...
at Lemhi PassLemhi PassLemhi Pass is a high mountain pass in the Beaverhead Mountains, part of the Bitterroot Range in the Rocky Mountains The pass lies on the Montana-Idaho border on the continental divide, at an elevation of 7373 feet above sea level.-History:...
. - August 13 – Lewis meets CameahwaitCameahwaitCameahwait was the brother of Sacagawea, and a Shoshone chief. He was the head of the first group of inhabitants of modern-day Idaho that were encountered by Europeans....
, leader of a band of Shoshone - August 15 to August 17 – Lewis returns across Lemhi Pass with Cameahwait and sets up Camp Fortunate.
- August 17 – A council meets with the Shoshone, during which Sacagawea learns the fate of her family and reveals that Cameahwait is her brother. Lewis and Clark successfully negotiate for horses for passage over the Rocky MountainsRocky MountainsThe Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. They buy 29 horses for packing or eating with uniforms, rifles, powder, balls, and a pistol. They also hire ShoshoneShoshoneThe Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
guide Old TobyOld TobyOld Toby , whose name was Pikee Queenah ' was war chief of the Tuziyammo band of Western Shoshone and a Shoshone dog soldier.-Guide:...
. - August 18 – Captain Lewis's 31st birthday. In his journal, he scolds himself for being "indolent," or lazy, and vows to spend the rest of his life helping people.
- August 26 – Lewis and the main party cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi PassLemhi PassLemhi Pass is a high mountain pass in the Beaverhead Mountains, part of the Bitterroot Range in the Rocky Mountains The pass lies on the Montana-Idaho border on the continental divide, at an elevation of 7373 feet above sea level.-History:...
. They thereby leave the newly purchased United States territory into disputed Oregon CountryOregon CountryThe Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
. - September 1 to October 6 – Crossing the Bitterroot MountainsBitterroot MountainsThe Northern and Central Bitterroot Range, collectively the Bitterroot Mountains, is the largest portion of the Bitterroot Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, located in the panhandle of Idaho and westernmost Montana in the Western United States...
. - September 4 – Meet Flathead Indians at Ross's Hole bought 13 more horses.
- September 9 to September 11 - Camped at Traveler's Rest (Lolo, Montana), now a National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
- September 13 – Crossed Lolo Trail starving, ate horses, candles, and portable soup.
- October 6 to October 9 — Met Nez Perce Indians on Clearwater. Left horses, cached goods, built 5 dugout canoes for trip to ocean.
- October 9 to December 7 – Traveled down Clearwater RiverClearwater River (Idaho)The Clearwater River is a river in north central Idaho, which flows westward from the Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho-Montana border, and joins the Snake River at Lewiston. In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition descended the Clearwater River in dugout canoes, putting in at "Canoe...
, Snake RiverSnake RiverThe Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
and Columbia RiverColumbia RiverThe Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
to ocean. - October 18 — Clark sees Mount HoodMount HoodMount Hood, called Wy'east by the Multnomah tribe, is a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc of northern Oregon. It was formed by a subduction zone and rests in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States...
, which means they are now back in previously explored territory. - November 7 - Clark wrote in his journal, “Ocian [ocean] in view! O! the joy.”
- November 20 – Encounter of the Pacific OceanPacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
at the mouth of the Columbia RiverColumbia RiverThe Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
. - November 24 – The Corps takes the matter of where to spend the winter to a vote. York, a slave, and Sacagawea, a woman, were allowed to vote. It was decided to camp on the south side of the Columbia River.
- December 7 to March 23, 1806 — Fort Clatsop sewed 338 pairs of moccasins.
- December 25 – Fort ClatsopFort ClatsopFort Clatsop was the encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the Oregon Country near the mouth of the Columbia River during the winter of 1805-1806...
, the Corps' winter residence, is completed.
1806
- January 1 – Discharged a volley of small arms to usher in the new year. Several Corps members build a saltSaltIn chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
-making cairnCairnCairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
near present-day Seaside, OregonSeaside, OregonSeaside is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The name Seaside is derived from Seaside House, a historic summer resort built in the 1870s by railroad magnate Ben Holladay. The city's population was 6,457 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. - March 22 – Corps of Discovery leave Fort ClatsopFort ClatsopFort Clatsop was the encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the Oregon Country near the mouth of the Columbia River during the winter of 1805-1806...
for the return voyage east. - March 23 to May 14 – Traveled to Camp ChopunnishCamp ChopunnishCamp Chopunnish was the first major camp on the Lewis and Clark Expedition's return voyage. It is located in Idaho County, Idaho, along the north bank of the Clearwater River , it is now part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park. It was named after Lewis' name for the Nez Perces tribe...
. - April 11 – Lewis' dog was stolen by Indians and retrieved shortly. Lewis warned the chief that any other wrongdoing or mischievous acts would result in instant death.
- May 14 to June 10 – Camp Chopunnish collected 65 horses. Prepared for crossing mountains. Bitterroot Mountains still covered in snow; cannot cross.
- June 10 to June 30 – Traveled to Traveler's Rest (Lolo, Montana) via Lolo Creek. 300 miles shorter than westward journey. 17 horses and 5 Nez Perce guides.
- June 30 to July 3 - Camped at Traveler's Rest (Lolo, Montana), now a National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
- July 3 — The Corps of Discovery split into 2 groups with Lewis leading one group up the Blackfoot RiverBlackfoot River (Montana)The Blackfoot River, sometimes called the Big Blackfoot River to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot River, is a snow-fed and spring-fed river in western Montana. The Blackfoot River begins in Lewis and Clark County at the Continental Divide, 10 miles northeast of the town of Lincoln...
and Clark leading another group up the Bitterroot RiverBitterroot RiverThe Bitterroot River is a tributary of the Clark Fork River in southwestern Montana, USA. It runs for about 75 miles south-to-north through the Bitterroot Valley, from the confluence of its West and East forks near Conner to the Clark Fork near Missoula.Ravalli County and Missoula County...
. - July 3 to July 28 — Lewis's party heads back to The Great Falls of the Missouri. Sgt. Gass, J. Thompson, H. McNeal, R. Field, R. Frazier, J. Fields, W. Werner, G. Drouillard, S. Goodrich.
- July 7 – Lewis' group crosses the Continental Divide at Lewis and Clark Pass.
- July 13 – Reached White Bear Island. Opened cache and many items were ruined. The iron frame of the boat had not suffered materially.
- July 15 – Lewis explores Maria's river separates from Gass to meet at Mouth of Maria's between Aug 5 and no later than Sept 1. Maria's River expedition includes M. Lewis, R. Fields, J. Fields, G. Drouillard.
- July 15 to July 26 – Camp Disappointment. Marias River does not go far enough north. Indians finally discovered.
- July 20 – Sgt. Ordway's party (from Clark's party) meets Sgt. Gass's party at The Great Falls of the Missouri.
- July 27 – The BlackfeetBlackfeetThe Piegan Blackfeet are a tribe of Native Americans of the Algonquian language family based in Montana, having lived in this area since around 6,500 BC. Many members of the tribe live as part of the Blackfeet Nation in northwestern Montana, with population centered in Browning...
Indians try to steal Lewis's group's rifles. A fight broke out and two Indians were killed. This is the only hostile encounter with an Indian tribe. - July 28 – Lewis meets Ordway and Gass.
- July 3 – Clark Explores Yellowstone-Leaves for Three Forks and Yellowstone. *Sgt. Pryor, *G. Gibson, *H. Hall, * R. Windsor. Sgt. Ordway, J. Colter, J. Colter, P. Cruzatte, F. LaBiche, T. Howard, J. Shields, B. LaPage, G. Shannon, J. Potts, W. Brattan, P. Wiser, P. Willard, J. Whitehouse, T. Charboneau, Sacagawea & Pomp, York.
- July 6 – Clark's group crosses the Continental Divide at Gibbons PassGibbons PassGibbons Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains in Montana. It is situated on the North American Continental Divide.-References:*...
. - July 8 – Reached Camp Fortunate dug up cache from year before-tobacco most prized.
- July 13 – Sgt. Ordway splits from Clark to travel up Missouri RiverMissouri RiverThe Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
to meet Lewis and Gass. - July 25 – Clark discovers and writes on Pompey's PillarPompeys Pillar National MonumentPompeys Pillar National Monument is a rock formation located in south central Montana, United States. Designated a National Monument on January 17, 2001, and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, it consists of only , making it one of the smallest National Monuments in the U.S...
. - August 1 – Capt. Clark's 36th birthday.
- August 3 – Clark arrives at confluence of Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers-moves down river because of mosquitoes.
- August 8 – Pryor and party reached Clark. Pryor and party (*Sgt. Pryor,*G. Gibson, *H. Hall, *R. Windsor) left Clark with horses and a letter to Hugh Henry to get Sioux to go to Washington and make peace with other Indians. Horses stolen had to make bull boats to get across and down river.
- August 11 – Lewis is accidentally shot by a member of his own party.
- August 12 – The two groups rejoin on the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota.
- August 18 – Capt. Lewis's 32nd birthday.
- August 14 – Reached Mandan Village. Charbonneau and Sacagawea stayed . John ColterJohn ColterJohn Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Though party to one of the more famous expeditions in history, Colter is best remembered for explorations he made during the winter of 1807–1808, when Colter became the first known person of European descent to enter the region now known...
went back up river with trappers Hancock and Dickson provided rest of company stay with expedition all the way to St. Louis. - September 23 – The Corps arrives in St. Louis, ending their journey after two years, four months, and ten days.
External links
- Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Online
- Kaw Point Encampment (26–29 June 1804)