The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the territory between the Missouri River and the Pacific. In a two and a half year trek, covering 8,000 miles; Lewis and Clark accomplished their mission.

On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition set off from St Louis. The crew consisted of 32 soldiers and 10 civilians. They headed up the Missouri River; as far as South Fork, Montana. They spent the first winter among the Mandan Indians in South Dakota. In the spring, they made contact with the Shoshone Indians, who provided them with horses and squaws to carry baggage.

They crossed the Rocky Mountains, and were able to float down the Clearwater River, onto the Snake River, and then onto the Columbia River. Then, on November 5, 1805, they reached the Pacific Ocean.

The expedition returned to St. Louis, Missouri, on September 23, 1806.