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Sacagawea and Lewis and Clark
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Corps of Discovery leaves St. Louis
The Corps of Discovery, headed by Lewis and Clark, leaves its camp ouside St. Louis, Missouri and heads north up the Missouri River. In his diary, Lewis wrote: "We are about to penetrate a country at least 2000 miles in width on which the foot of civilized man has never trodden."
President Thomas Jefferson had chosen Lewis because he believed that Lewis would be a good leader for the expedition. -
Sacagawea joins expedition
The expedition reaches the Five Villages of the Mandan Indians in North Dakota and makes camp for the winter. French Canadian fur trader, Toussaint Charbonneau offers his services as an intepreter and cook. Lewis and Clark recognized Sacagawea's knowledge of the Shoshoni language (snake language), and therefore, wanted her to accompany them so that she could negotiate for horses. This later proves to be a key act for the common good. -
Sacagawea travels with infant son and shares knowledge of local food
Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, later called Pomp by Clack, is born to Sacagawea. The infant will be carried on his mother's back all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Sacagawea, with Jean-Baptiste in her arms, accompanied the expedition in a journey that would cover 5,000 miles and last 16 months. Sacagawea's knowledge of edible and medicinal plants helps the Corps of Discovery stay healthy and fit. -
Sacagawea saves expedition
In May of 1805, the expedition members experience several close calls with nature. Progress proved difficult for the expedition due to its members having little experience with the regions.
Sacagawea proves to be a quick thinker when she saves supplies from a boat that capsizes while the men of the expedition panic. The captains name a tributary of the Musselshell River, the Sacagawea River. Again, Sacagawea's actions demonstrate self-sacrifice and concern for the common good. -
Sacagawea interpets for Corps of Discovery
Sacagawea recognizes Beaverhead Rock and the river banks where the Shoshonis live, her birth tribe.Sacagawea reunites with her brother, the chief of the Shoshoni tribe. She acts as an interpreter during an important council held with Lewis and Clark and the Shoshoni chief in which the Shoshoni chief agrees to provide the Corps of Discovery with horses and guides. Some argued that her negotiation skills were instrumental in securing the horses. -
Corp of Discovery builds Fort Clatsop
In September and October of 1805, the expedition manages to cross the Continental Divide as winter sets in and also navigates the rapids along the Columbia River. At Fort Clatsop, in Oregon, Sacagawea sees the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Clark demonstrates leadership by allowing all members of the Corps, including Sacagawea and York, to vote on staying at Fort Clatsop for the winter. -
Sacagawea guides Clark's team through the pass
The Corps of Discovery splits and takes two different routes. Sacagawea guides a party led by Captian Clark through the Bozeman Pass, following the Shoshoni route, and to the mouth of the Yellowstone River in July 1806. At the same time, Lewis's team searches for the source of the Marias river, and along the way skirmishes with the Blackfeet Indians. -
Sacagawea returns to Five Villages
The Corps of Discovery arrives back at the Five Villages of the Mandan Indians on August 17th and Sacagawea remains at the village after Lewis and Clark return to St. Louis on September 23rd, thus ending the expedition. Clark offers to take Pomp with him to St. Louis. Charbonneu and Sacagawea decline. Years later, Clark adopts Pomp and educates him in the European tradition.
