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The Louisiana Purchase
On this day Thomas Jefferson Purchased the Louisiana Purchase from France. It doubles the size of America and led to exploration and westward expansion and cost $15 million -
Lewis and Clark are Chosen
Lewis is picked as commander of the expedition. He writes to Clark and asks to join in command which Clark accepts -
It Begins
This date marks the official start of Lewis and Clark's Expedition. It starts from a camping area in St. Louis Missouri. -
July 4th, 1804
On this day Lewis and Clark mark the first Independence day west of the Mississippi. The celebrate by firing the keel boat's canon. They also name Independence Creek -
Trouble
After staying with a friendly Sioux tribe, they have a disagreement with Teton Sioux. He demanded that one of the ships be given as a toll for further travel. The disagreement was settled by Chief Black Buffalo before any fighting and the expedition stays for three more days. -
Sacagawea
Lewis and Clark meet Sacagawea, a pregnant Shosone who helps them with their expedition.Sacagawea was kidnapped and sold to a French Canadian fur trapper, named Toussaint Charbonnea, who was hired as an interpreter. -
It's a Boy
Sacagawea gives birth to a boy, Jean Baptiste -
Returning... sort of
Around a dozen men are sent back down river with maps, reports, Indian artifacts and other scientific specimens. These are to be given to Jefferson. The rest of the party continues their exploration West. -
Which Way?
The expedition reached the fork of river. Whil Lewis and Clark believed the Missour went south the rest of the crew believe it went north. Although the crew did not believe it was south they were willing to follow where ever their captains directed them. -
What's West?
The shipment sent back to Jefferson is received. Lewis climbs the final ridge to the Continental Divide hoping to find plains and a river flowing to the Pacific but is disappointed to see more mountains. -
August 8-17th
On the 8th Sacagawea recognizes Beaverhead Rock and knows they are near her people, the Shoshones. Lewis and three other crew members go ahead. On the 17th Lewis tries t negotiate a trade for horses. Clark and the rest of the expedition arrive and they name the site Camp Fortune. They discover that the chief is Sacagawea's brother. -
September
The expedition sets off with a Shoshone guide named Old Toby. They had 29 horses and mules. The expedition ends up camping in present day Missoula, Montana, a spot Lewis and Clark name Travelers Rest. They stay there in preporation to cross the mountain. The expedition almost starves in the mountains before they arrive in what is present-day Weippe, Idaho on September 22nd. -
The Columbia River
They expedition arrives at the Columbia River. Clark is able to see Mount Hood in the distance, proof they are near the ocean. -
Winter Time
Clark thinks he sees the ocean writes his most famous journal entry: "Ocian in view! O! the joy." The expedition, in accuality is still 20 miles from the Pacific. The expedition is staled about 3 weeks from storms. The expedition votes and decides to cross to the south side of the Columbia River to build winter shelter. -
Stay Awhile
The expedition had reached the Bitterroot mountains and waited for the snow to melt before cross. While they waited they stayed with the Nez Perce, who Lewis described as "the most hospitable, honest and sincere people that we have met with in our voyage." -
The Louisiana Territory
The expedition cross Bitterroots again, and breaks into smaller groups to explore more of the Louisiana Territory. Clark's group head down the Yellowstone River, and Lewis takes the shortcut to the Great Falls, and then goes north along the Maris River -
Fighting
While on the way back to the Missouri, Lewis' party encounters eight Blackfeet warriors. They camp together, but in the morning they catch the blackfeet attempting to steal their horses and guns. During a fight two of the Blackfeet were killed. -
Reconnection
Everyone is reunited at the mouth of the Yellowstone River On August 14th the expedition returns to the Mandan village. Charbonneau, Sacagawea, and Jean Baptist stay, and John Colter is granted permission to return to the Yellowstone to trap beaver. -
The Return
Lewis and Clark reach St. Louis. -
The Fall
Lewis and Clark are treated like heroes. The crew return to Washington, D.C. where they receive double pay and 320 acres of land as reward, the captains get 1,600 acres. Lewis is named governor of the Louisiana Territory, Clark is made Indian agent for the West and brigadier general of the territory's militia. . -
After the Exploration
In 1809- Lewis commits suicide at Grinders Stand, an inn south of Nashville
In 1812- Sacagawea dies at Fort Manuel. Clark adopts Jean Baptiste and her daughter, Lisette.
In 1838 -William Clark was married to Julia "Judith" Hancock. William Clark dies at the home of his eldest son, Meriwether Lewis Clark.
