The LEWIS And CLARK Expediton
Read to discover Lewis and Clark's journey over new land.
Fisher Arrowood
NWR series
Prologue
Lewis and Clark's early life
Merriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 also in Virginia.
At the age of five Lewis's dad died. Lewis's mother remarried, when Lewis was eight teen Lewis's step father passed away. In 1794 Lewis joined the united states army, Lewis later ended up in the chosen rifle company.
Before the great adventure
At this time though maps of the land were not correct so Pres. Jefferson looked for the right man to explore the new land. The man that was chosen had to be able to make friends with the NATIVE AMERICAN tribes, he also had to able to write about the plants and animals. President Jefferson asked Merriwether Lewis. Lewis agreed as long as William Clark could go to.
Planning and Preparing
Lewis and Clark took many gifts for Native Americans such as 144 pocket mirrors, 4,600 sewing needles, 144 small scissors, 10 pounds of thread, ribbons, combs, 288 knives, 8 brass kettles and 33 pounds of beads.
New Lands, New People
On November 4, 1804 sacagawea and her husband joined the expedition. During that winter sacagawea's son, Pomp was born. Later in the expedition sacagawea saw a mountain called beavers head and told Lewis that's where the Shoshone lived.
On August 17, Lewis, Clark and sacagawea met with chief cameahwait. sacagawea was explaining what the chief was saying, then she suddenly stopped. She gave the chief a hug, this was her brother. The Shoshone agreed to sell 29 horses because of sacagawea. Lewis and Clark's journey ended on September 23, 1806.
Lewis and Clark's Later Life and Accomplishments
The expedition opened up the frontier for hunters and trappers. People decided to settle in the path of Lewis and Clark, Many settlers brought
Glossary
Shoshone- a group of Indians
interpreter- a person who speaks two languages and explains what someone else says
Keel boat- a boat used for hauling goods
lead- it is used for hunting
native Americans- a type of Indian
militia- a type of military
sharpshooters- a group of people that are good with rifles
works cited
- Oregon Trail Mural Lewis and Clark at Rock Fort by Robert Thomas in The Dalles Oregon www.flickr.com
- The White House Government Website