LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

In the early 1800’s the west was home to many Indian tribes. The uncharted land of the west was filled with neighboring Indians. They fought over territories, traded, married and raised their families.
With explicit instructions, President Jefferson sent Capitan Meriwether Lewis to document and explores the Louisiana Territory, and find a major route to the Pacific Ocean. On the journey Lewis was to learn the language, religion, and Indian habits. Also encourage peace between the tribes.
In December of 1803 Captain William Clark established Camp River Dubois, and built a fort there. It was at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, north of St. Louis Missouri.
Clark’s responsibility was to train many men who had volunteered to go on the expedition. Captains Clark and Lewis would work together. But each had his own instructions.
Clark trained the men to use their weapons together getting them to respect military authority, and learn to follow instructions.
While Clark was doing the training, Lewis was in St. Louis, Missouri talking to fur traders who had been up the Missouri River. He was able to obtain maps made by earlier explores. Lewis and Clark wanted to gather as much information as they could. They wanted to be prepared for whatever was to be encountered along the way.

Transfer of the Louisiana Territory

On March 9, 1804 Lewis attended a special ceremony in St. Louis, Missouri. The upper Louisiana Territory was transferred to the United States.
All of the land from the Mississippi River, to the tops of the Rocky Mountains, officially belonged to the United States.
On May 14, 1804 Clark and his newly trained men. The Corps of Discovery left Camp Dubois and joined Lewis, who was up the river in St. Charles Missouri.
Clark was grateful for his foresight of hiring the several French boatmen to help with the boats that were laden with supplies. Traveling up the Missouri River was difficult and exhausting. Having to go up river against strong currents. Oars and long poles were used to push the boat. Sometimes the boats had to be pulled by men walking along the shore, fighting heat and insects.
By October the Corps of Discovery reached the wllage of the Mandan Indians. They stayed there the winter of 1804.

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