Lewis and Clark Expedition

Definition

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was a US military expedition of exploration, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, whose goal was to explore the newly acquired western lands that comprised the Louisiana Purchase and to reach the Pacific Ocean. The journey, which covered about 8,000 miles (13,000 km), was a major step toward the westward expansion of the United States.

More about: Lewis and Clark Expedition

Timeline

  • 1802
    President Thomas Jefferson conceives of an exploration of the American West, appoints his private secretary Meriwether Lewis to lead it.
  • 2 May 1803
    The Louisiana Purchase is finalized in Paris; the 828,000 acres of the Louisiana Territory are sold to the United States.
  • Jul 1803
    William Clark joins the Corps of Discovery as co-captain.
  • Dec 1803
    The Corps of Discovery spends the winter at Camp Dubois, training and gathering resources.
  • 14 May 1804
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition begins; the 45 members of the Corps of Discovery paddle up the Missouri River in two pirogues and a keelboat.
  • 3 Aug 1804
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition encounter Native Americans for the first time; they trade gifts with the Oto and Missouri people.
  • 20 Aug 1804
    Sgt. Charles Floyd dies of appendicitis near present-day Sioux City, becomes the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die.
  • Sep 1804
    The Corps of Discovery narrowly avoids a violent confrontation with Lakota Sioux.
  • 26 Oct 1804 - 7 Apr 1805
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition spends the winter amongst the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians; they are joined by Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea.
  • 7 Apr 1805
    The Corps of Discovery breaks camp and continues westward, while a small group return to St. Louis to present their findings to President Thomas Jefferson.
  • Jun 1805
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition spends three weeks portaging around the Great Falls of the Missouri River.
  • Aug 1805
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition encounters the Shoshones, Sacagawea is reunited with her brother, Cameahwait.
  • 12 Aug 1805
    Meriwether Lewis climbs to the peak of Lemhi Pass on the Continental Divide.
  • Sep 1805
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the Bitterroot Mountains with the help of a Shoshone guide called Old Toby.
  • 16 Oct 1805
    The Corps of Discovery reaches the Columbia River.
  • Nov 1805 - 26 Mar 1806
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition spends the winter at Fort Clatsop near present-day Astoria, Oregon, before beginning its return journey home.
  • 7 Nov 1805
    Lewis and Clark spot the Pacific Ocean.
  • Jun 1806
    The Corps of Discovery travels back across the Bitterroot Mountains; Lewis and Clark split up.
  • 26 Jul 1806
    Lewis' party shoots and kills two Blackfoot Indians caught trying to steal their horses and guns, the only violence of the expedition.
  • 12 Aug 1806
    Lewis and Clark reunite at the mouth of the Yellowstone River.
  • 16 Aug 1806
    Lewis and Clark bid farewell to Charbonneau and Sacagawea at the Mandan villages before continuing down the Missouri River.
  • 23 Sep 1806
    Lewis and Clark reach St. Louis; the expedition comes to an end.
  • 11 Oct 1809
    Meriwether Lewis dies of gunshot wounds in Tennessee, aged 35.
  • Nov 1809
    Sacagawea and Charbonneau move to St. Louis at Clark's invitation, but leave after two years; their son, Jean Baptiste, remains with Clark.
  • 20 Dec 1812
    Sacagawea dies after an illness, around the age of 24.
  • 1 Sep 1838
    William Clark dies at the age of 68.
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