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The Louisiana Purchase
&
The Lewis and Clark
Expedition.
Facts About the Land Purchased
Lewis and Clark Expedition
William Clark
Members of the "Corps of Discovery"
Supply List for the Expedition
Interesting Facts and Trivia about the Expedition
Links to lessons, WebQuest and other Resource
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Facts and Trivia about the Expedition
On January 18, 1803 President Jefferson sent a message to congress proposing the expedition.
1803 In the early part of the year Meriweather Lewis is picked as Commander of the expedition.
1803 Lewis invites William Clark to be co-commander. They had served together in the Army.
July 4, 1803 Public announcement of the Louisiana Purchase. See Facts about the Louisiana Puchase for details about what was purchased.
Fall 1803 - Camp Wood is set up for training and is the parties home for the winter.e
The expedition began on May 14, 1804.
1804 - The oldest member of the "Party of Discovery" was Toussaint Charbonneau who was 47.
1804 The corps marks the 4th of July by firing the cannon on the keelboat. They are now west of the Mississippi River traveling up the Missouri River. They were near Atchison, Kansas. Each member of the party was give a "gill" of whiskey. (That is about 4 oz.)
1804 - The Missouri is the longest river in the United States. It is 2,540 miles long. The Mississippi River is second at 2,340 miles.
1806- On the return trip Pierre Cruzatte, mistook Lewis for and elk. He fired and wounded Lewis in the thigh.
1806 - The trip ended on September 23, 1806.
Last Modified: May 14, 2012
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