Devin Jacobs
When you think of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, you might picture a classic story of exploration and bravery, but the whole story is much richer and more surprising. Here are some fascinating and lesser-known elements of this monumental expedition.
Lewis Had Worked as Thomas Jefferson’s Secretary
In 1801, Lewis left the army to become Thomas Jefferson’s presidential secretary. Growing up near Monticello, Lewis developed a mentor-protégé relationship with Jefferson, who chose him to lead the 1802 Westward expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to Philadelphia for a crash course in medicine, botany, and celestial navigation to prepare him.
A Canine Companion
Not all members of the expedition were human. Seaman, a Newfoundland dog owned by Meriwether Lewis, was an integral part of the journey. This loyal companion helped hunt, guarded the camp, and even survived an attack by a beaver.
Indian Tribes Tried to Buy Lewis’ Dog
Lewis commended his dog Seaman’s skill at hunting squirrels, which he would cook and eat. Seaman frequently appeared in Lewis’ journey records, exploring independently and even befriending a buffalo calf that followed him until they boarded a boat. The Shawnees once offered three beaver skins for Seaman, but Lewis declined.
Thomas Jefferson Hoped for Woolly Mammoths
Before Lewis and Clark’s expedition, Americans could only speculate about the lands beyond the Rockies. Jefferson imagined salt mountains, Welsh-speaking Indians, and extinct creatures like woolly mammoths. Though they didn’t find these, Lewis did document 178 new plant species and 122 new animals, including coyotes and grizzly bears.
Sacagawea Was Among the Notable Members of the Journey
Sacagawea, who joined Lewis and Clark in 1804, was more than just a guide for them; she was a translator, diplomat, and symbol of peace. Her presence with her infant son reassured Native tribes that the expedition was peaceful and vital in ensuring the group’s survival.
Sacagawea Reunion With Her Long-Lost Brother During the Expedition
In 1805, Sacagawea discovered that the Shoshone chief was her long-lost brother. This helped establish peaceful relations and enabled Lewis to secure the horses needed for the expedition to cross the Rocky Mountains.
The Spanish Sent Soldiers to Intercept the Expedition
Jefferson framed Lewis and Clark’s expedition as a scientific study of the Louisiana Purchase lands. Their real goal was finding a Pacific water route to boost trade and secure American claims in the Northwest. The Spanish, fearing a threat to their gold-rich Southwest territories, sent soldiers and Comanche Indians to intercept them but failed.
They Carried Weapons They Never Used
The Corps of Discovery carried one of the largest arsenals west of the Mississippi, including pikes, tomahawks, knives, rifles, muskets, 200 pounds of gunpowder, and over 400 pounds of lead. Despite their heavy armament, most explorers rarely used their weapons in combat.
Private John Collins Was a Troublemaker
President Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned the expedition and chose Lewis and Clark as leaders, also selected the men to join them. Among these “Nine Young Men” was Private John Collins, who caused trouble during the journey. On June 28th and 29th, Private Collins was tried for drinking on duty, and both he and Hugh Hall received lashings.
The Unusual Way Lewis Met Clark
Sometimes, excessive drinking leads to regrettable actions. In 1795, 21-year-old frontier officer Meriwether Lewis drank too much and challenged a lieutenant to a duel. Court-martialed for this, he was transferred to a new company to prevent further conflicts with his new commander, William Clark, marking the start of their partnership.
Sacagawea Was Given a Snake Rattle to Induce Labor
In early 1805, Mr. Jessome gave Sacagawea a rattlesnake rattle mixed with water to induce labor. Shortly after, she went into labor and gave birth to Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Clark noted the effectiveness of this remedy in his journal as the expedition prepared to leave North Dakota.
Only One Member of the Expedition Passed away During the Journey
The Lewis and Clark expedition’s only fatality occurred in August 1804, when Sergeant Charles Floyd died, likely from a burst appendix. Despite numerous ailments, no one else died. Notably, on the return trip, Lewis was accidentally shot in the buttocks by an enlisted man, which left him bedridden in a canoe for weeks.
Lewis Suffered Mysterious Circumstances
Before embarking on the expedition, Lewis struggled with depression and mood swings, leading to excessive drinking, financial issues, and erratic behavior. Despite these episodes, he was still seen as a capable leader. In 1809, during a journey to Washington, he was stopped twice from suicide.
Clark Cared for Sacagawea’s Children
During the Corps of Discovery, Sacagawea’s newborn son, Jean Baptiste, nicknamed “Pomp,” was cared for by William Clark, who offered to adopt him. Sacagawea initially refused but later accepted Clark’s offer to fund his education. After Sacagawea died in 1812, Clark became guardian of Jean Baptiste and her daughter Lisette.
Struggled With Deeper and Suicidal Thoughts
Lewis’s condition deteriorated after returning home from the 1806 expedition. The governorship of Louisiana overwhelmed him, and his life unraveled. In 1809, he was found dead in a cabin along the Natchez Trace, shot in the head and chest. While some suspected murder, close associates believed he died by suicide.