We all learned about Lewis and Clark’s expedition in school. An expedition of 45 men, as you probably know, by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, set out in 1804 to explore the newly acquired territory of Louisiana, and reported back to Congress on their findings. But here are some more interesting things I recently learned that I didn’t already know about the campaign;
1. In all, Lewis and Clark observed and wrote descriptions of 178 plants and 122 species or species of animals. Files of specimens and reports were sent to Jefferson from time to time, including a prairie-dogs in a box — which arrived alive.
2. Sacajawea, in addition to serving as an interpreter for the group, was useful in other ways. The Indians, meeting them for the first time, concluded that they could not possibly be a war party, since no war party would start. woman and child
3. The expedition did not greatly affect at least some of the Indian tribes. The first Sioux tribe being less pleased with the gifts they gave, collected 5 medals. Things are very serious with the Blackfeet tribe of Indians whom Lewis’ group encountered on the way back. The Blackfeet attempted to steal their weapons at night, and in the ensuing struggle two Indians were killed. Lewis’s group fled a hundred miles in one day from the tribe to take cover.
4. Clark, a servant of York, was an interesting member of the party. The slave, although he was attached to full privileges, also obtained a vote in those which were decided by the whole party. (So did Sacajawea.)
It was a great curiosity among the Indians, of whom before they had seen white white men, but never blacks. York seems a little clouded over that, saying that before Clark took him, he was wild, and cannibals, and made good food at first for children. (raised from birth in the Clarke family).
When the group returned, Clark found himself in St. Louis, keeping York with him. York wanted to return to the Louisville area, where he had a wife and child, and repeatedly asked Clark to grant him freedom, which Clark refused, citing financial difficulties. Clark became more and more irritated by York’s pleas, and was at once said to have given him a “severe trouncing.” Finally, Clark gave him his freedom and put him in business.
6. Only one death during the expedition: Charles Floyd, who apparently died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix.
7. Meriwether Lewis was shot in the thigh at one point by one of his own players, which knocked him out of the game.
8. The discipline was swift and severe. There are a number of lawsuits, riots and disciplinary actions recorded on road signs. Among the offenders were John Collins and Hugh Hallus, convicted of stealing whiskey for keeping, Thomas Howard, for showing the Indians how to climb the walls at Ford Mandan, and Alexander Willard, the sleeping watchmen.
9. A new land dog name boat was bought by Louis specially for the trip for $20. A sailor was once severely wounded by a beaver, which had severed several arteries in his arm and leg, but was saved by surgery performed by two captains. The dog was a good hunter and protector and an honorable companion. At one point it was stolen by the Indians, and Louis threatened to burn the fort if the dog was not returned.
10. The last disbursement of expenses in government was about $39,000. The cost had been estimated by Jefferson (and appropriated by Congress) at $2,500. I guess some things never change.
