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Birth
Born near Ivy, Virginia -
Army
Lewis joined the military, and later achieved the rank of captain in the year of 1800. While Lewis was a part of the force, he served with William Clark. Lewis then served as paymaster of the First Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. -
Militia Days
As a member of the state Militia, Lewis was one of the 13,000 troops that Washington sent to put an end to the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion was a revolt led by farmers in Pennsylvania due to the imposed tax on whiskey. -
President Jefferson
President Jefferson appointed Lewis to be his personal secretary. Lewis was a chid prodige of Jefferson's and they had renewed their bond when Lewis was on duty in Virginia. It was told that the promotion of Lewis was very political, since he too was a republican. -
Expedition
After Jefferson made the Loisiana Purchase, he was eager to have it explored. Jefferson tried to convince Congress to fund a western expedition, Congress approved the exploration of the Louisiana Territory, which would be led by whomever Jefferson chose. President Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis, an army captain, to lead the expedition. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Jefferson feared that France would become dominant in America, as it was in Europe, Jefferson triedto buy New Orleans from France. Since the war between France and Britain was looming once again, France needed money money for the war, not territory in foreign countries, France offered to sell the entire ouisiana territory. Jefferson approved the purchase, and the land became the start of America's westward expansion. -
Lewis and Clark
Clark responded to Lewis that he would join him on the expedition. Lewis had put Clark in charge of the volunteer force and was given the title as co-leader of the journey. Jefferson had tried to persuade Clark to joining the expedition by raising his rank to captain, only if he agreed to go on the trek through the west. -
Lewis and Clark
The two men met in Indiana Territory to make the final preparations for the trip. The purpose of the expedition was to find a water way that led from the Mississippi River to the Pacific ocean. Along the way, the men were supposed to record and bring back information regarding the natural land feaures of the region. -
Corps of Discovery
The journey started near St. Louis, Missouri, the men faced almost every hardship imaginable. The group had assistance from the natives along their trip, the Mandans provided them with supplies during their first winter. As the men met with the Natives along their journey, the were told by Jefferson to create good relationships by promising military support and trading rights to the tribes in exchange for peace. -
Expedition
They camped in what is now North Dakota for the winter, where they met Sacagawea, a Shoshone translator. Sacagawea, her husband, Toussaint, and their child, joined together with Lewis and Clark on their expedition. Sacagawea's language skills and knowledge helped the men navigate through the unfamiliar terittory. -
Look to the West
The group had arrived at the Pacific ocean after crossing over the Rocky mountains and drifting through the Colombia River. Sacagawea helped the men navigate through the Rockies and took charge of their canoes when traveling through the rapids of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. -
Journey Home
After the men had found a way to the Pacific ocean, they began their journey back east. The journey home took about six months and the expedition that Lewis and Clark went on led many Americans to feel a sense of urgency to expand to the west. -
Death
Lewis died near Nashville, Tennesse, the debate over wether he was murdered or died from an illness is still unknown.
