Planning & Preparation

April 20, 1803

April 20, 1803

Meriwether Lewis writes to President Thomas Jefferson explaining a delay at Harpers Ferry Armory due to the design and construction of the iron-framed boat. He also discusses plans to hire interpreter John Conner and a boat builder in Nashville. He…

September 4, 1803

September 4, 1803

As they leave Pennsylvania along the Ohio River, the pirogue springs a serious leak, so they must stop to repair it. Lewis buys a canoe, but it too leaks. Camp is near Newell in present West Virginia.

September 6, 1803

September 6, 1803

Lewis employs horses, sails, and oxen to pass over several gravel bars. He tries sailing, but in the high wind, the sprit sail breaks. They pass Steubenville, Ohio but only make ten miles for the day.

September 13, 1803

September 13, 1803

At sunrise, the boats move down the Ohio River. They lift the barge over a few riffles and see a flock of passenger pigeons. Anchored opposite Marietta, Ohio, Lewis writes a letter to President Jefferson.

September 15, 1803

September 15, 1803

Lewis and his crew head down the Ohio passing present Little Kanawha and Little Hocking rivers. The barge must be lifted over a gravel bar, and they stop for the day near Blennerhassett Island.

September 16, 1803

September 16, 1803

After delaying for fog, Lewis pushes his crew until nearly dark. They pass an area with trees marked by both Indians and settlers. At camp near present Ravenswood, West Virginia, the crew is exhausted.

September 18, 1803

September 18, 1803

The expedition heads out down the Ohio before sunrise. They safely pass a rapid near the present community of Letart Falls, and Lewis writes his last journal entry until 11 November 1803.

September 28, 1803

September 28, 1803

© 2021 by Robert Heacock. Used by permission.

November 13, 1803

November 13, 1803

The expedition leaves Fort Massac moving about three miles down the Ohio, and Lewis is “siezed with a violent ague”. The Indiana Territorial Governor pens a letter introducing John Hay of Cahokia.

November 17, 1803

November 17, 1803

The day is stormy at the mouth of the Ohio. Strong winds swamp the smaller boats, which fortunately had been emptied of their cargo. The captains compare the sizes of the Mississippi and Ohio riverbanks.

November 19, 1803

November 19, 1803

On the expedition’s final day encamped at the mouth of the Ohio, Clark completes his survey of that river’s confluence with the Mississippi, and Lewis makes celestial observations.

November 23, 1803

November 23, 1803

Louis Lorimier of Cape Girardeau

November 24, 1803

November 24, 1803

Moving ten miles up the Mississippi, a missing hunter—Sgt. Pryor—is found, and Lewis observes the limestone lining the shores and hills of present Trail of Tears (Missouri) State Park.

November 25, 1803

November 25, 1803

As the expedition’s flotilla of boats approach the Grand Tower of the Mississippi, Lewis learns of the ritual held the first time a boatman passes it. He also describes coal mines and the Apple River Shawnees living in that area.

December 7, 1803

December 7, 1803

Lewis travels by land and Clark by river to arrive at Cahokia, Illinois. Lewis meets John Hay and Nicholas Jarrot who help him negotiate with the Spanish Lt. governor of Upper Louisiana.

Lewis Purchases Seaman the Newfoundland Dog

August 21, 1803

While waiting for the completion of the keelboat in Pittsburgh, Meriwether Lewis purchased a large Newfoundland dog for $20—a considerable sum at the time. Lewis named the dog Seaman (sometimes…

Lewis Prepares to Depart Pittsburgh

August 22, 1803

Lewis continued preparations in Pittsburgh for the journey down the Ohio River. The keelboat, commissioned months earlier, was still not complete, causing Lewis growing frustration. He spent the day overseeing…

Lewis Awaits the Keelboat in Pittsburgh

August 23, 1803

Another day of delays in Pittsburgh as Lewis waited for the completion of the keelboat. The boat builder continued to work slowly, testing Lewis’s patience. Lewis used the time to…

Preparations Continue at Pittsburgh

August 24, 1803

Lewis continued the frustrating wait in Pittsburgh. He occupied himself with organizing the expedition’s scientific instruments, which included a chronometer, sextant, compass, and thermometer — tools essential for mapping the…

Lewis Reviews Supplies at Pittsburgh

August 25, 1803

While still awaiting the keelboat, Lewis reviewed the expedition’s medical supplies prepared under the guidance of Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia. The medicine chest contained laudanum, mercury pills (“Rush’s Thunderbolts”),…

Final Days of Waiting in Pittsburgh

August 26, 1803

Lewis grew increasingly anxious about the falling water levels on the Ohio River. Every day of delay meant shallower water and more difficulty navigating downstream. The boat builder promised the…

Lewis Inspects the Nearly Complete Keelboat

August 27, 1803

The keelboat was at last nearing completion. Lewis inspected the vessel — a 55-foot craft with a 32-foot mast, capable of being propelled by sail, oars, poles, or tow rope.…

Final Preparations at Pittsburgh

August 28, 1803

Lewis made final preparations for departure, loading supplies onto the keelboat and arranging for additional crew members to help navigate the Ohio River. He hired several experienced river hands for…

Loading the Keelboat at Pittsburgh

August 29, 1803

With the keelboat finally ready, Lewis supervised the loading of supplies and equipment. The cargo included 14 bales of Indian presents (beads, mirrors, ribbons, knives, and medals), weapons, ammunition, scientific…

Eve of Departure from Pittsburgh

August 30, 1803

Lewis made his final arrangements in Pittsburgh before the next day’s departure. He settled accounts with merchants, sent a final letter to President Jefferson reporting his readiness, and reviewed the…

Lewis Departs Pittsburgh on the Ohio River

August 31, 1803

At last, Meriwether Lewis departed Pittsburgh with the keelboat and a crew of eleven hands, beginning the long journey down the Ohio River. The river was dangerously low — in…

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 1, 1803

September 1, 1803

Lewis navigated the Ohio River below Pittsburgh, struggling with extremely low water. The crew often had to wade alongside the keelboat and physically drag it over gravel bars and riffles.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 2, 1803

September 2, 1803

Continued down the Ohio River. Lewis hired local oxen teams to help pull the boat over particularly shallow stretches. The laborers charged by the riffle, an expense Lewis carefully recorded.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 3, 1803

September 3, 1803

Progress was slow on the Ohio. Lewis noted the river’s low state was the worst local residents could remember. Despite the difficulties, the crew maintained good spirits.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 4, 1803

September 4, 1803

Lewis passed several small settlements along the Ohio River, occasionally stopping for supplies. The river country was well-settled in this region, with farms and small towns along both banks.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 5, 1803

September 5, 1803

The keelboat encountered more shallow riffles on the Ohio. Lewis adapted by having the crew unload cargo, carry it overland past the shallow areas, then reload once the boat was…

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 6, 1803

September 6, 1803

Lewis continued the tedious descent of the Ohio River, making only a few miles per day due to the low water. He observed the rich bottomland forests and abundant wildlife…

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 7, 1803

September 7, 1803

Navigating the Ohio River with difficulty. Lewis occupied himself with natural history observations, noting the trees, birds, and river conditions in preparation for the more detailed journal keeping ahead.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 8, 1803

September 8, 1803

Lewis progressed down the Ohio, passing the mouth of the Little Muskingum River. The crew worked through several difficult stretches where the river spread thin over wide gravel beds.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 9, 1803

September 9, 1803

The expedition neared Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. This was one of the oldest settlements in the Northwest Territory.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 10, 1803

September 10, 1803

Lewis stopped at Marietta, Ohio, a thriving river town founded in 1788. He took the opportunity to resupply and make observations. The town’s shipyard was one of the busiest on…

Seaman Catches Squirrels Swimming Across the Ohio

September 11, 1803

Lewis recorded one of the first of many journal entries about Seaman’s exploits on the expedition. While traveling down the Ohio River, they encountered large numbers of gray squirrels swimming…

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 12, 1803

September 12, 1803

Below Marietta, the Ohio River conditions improved slightly. Lewis made better progress, covering more miles than on any previous day since departing Pittsburgh.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 13, 1803

September 13, 1803

Lewis continued down the Ohio through increasingly rural country. The Virginia (now West Virginia) shore rose in steep, forested hills while the Ohio side showed more settlement.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 14, 1803

September 14, 1803

Navigating past the mouth of the Little Kanawha River. Lewis noted the coal deposits visible in the riverbanks — a mineral wealth that would later transform the region.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 15, 1803

September 15, 1803

Lewis passed Blennerhassett Island, a large, beautiful island in the Ohio River near present-day Parkersburg, West Virginia. The island’s owner was building a grand mansion.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 16, 1803

September 16, 1803

Continued downstream on the Ohio. Lewis practiced celestial observations when possible, honing the navigation skills he would need for mapping the uncharted Missouri River and beyond.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 17, 1803

September 17, 1803

Progress on the Ohio River. The country grew wilder as Lewis moved downstream. Forests of oak, walnut, and hickory lined the banks, and deer could occasionally be seen drinking at…

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 18, 1803

September 18, 1803

Lewis navigated past the mouth of the Hocking River. The Ohio’s water level had improved somewhat, allowing steadier progress than the frustrating first weeks out of Pittsburgh.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 19, 1803

September 19, 1803

Continuing downstream toward the falls at Louisville. Lewis looked forward to meeting William Clark, who was waiting at Clarksville, across the river from Louisville.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 20, 1803

September 20, 1803

Lewis passed Gallipolis, Ohio, a settlement founded by French immigrants in 1790. The town’s residents had endured considerable hardship on the frontier.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 21, 1803

September 21, 1803

The Ohio River widened and deepened as Lewis progressed. He could now travel more miles per day, raising hopes of reaching Clark before the river froze.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 22, 1803

September 22, 1803

Lewis passed the mouth of the Great Kanawha River, one of the Ohio’s major tributaries. The junction created a broad, navigable stretch of water.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 23, 1803

September 23, 1803

Continuing down the Ohio past the point where present-day Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky meet. The three-state region was still largely frontier country.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 24, 1803

September 24, 1803

Lewis made good progress on a wider, deeper stretch of the Ohio. He used the smoother sailing to organize supplies and review his instructions from President Jefferson.

Lewis: Ohio River Journey, September 25, 1803

September 25, 1803

Passing through the hilly country of the upper Ohio valley. Lewis noted the changing geology and vegetation as he moved further south and west.

Andrew Ellicott

A noted surveyor who taught Lewis celestial navigation, map making, and computing latitude and longitude. He had previously surveyed the boundaries of the District of Columbia.

Caspar Wistar

Physician and professor of anatomy who trained Lewis in identifying fossils and anatomical specimens. Jefferson hoped the expedition might discover living mastodons. The wisteria plant was later named in his honor.

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus · Fish

Lewis and Clark observed blue catfish in mid-November 1803, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, before the main expedition departed. They later encountered the species in the lower Missouri River. The blue...

Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger · Mammal

Seaman the Newfoundland caught squirrels swimming across the Ohio River in a mass migration - one of the first notable wildlife encounters of the expedition.

Osage Orange

Maclura pomifera · Plant

Lewis encountered the osage orange in March 1804 in St. Louis, before the expedition officially departed. He obtained young plants from the Osage Nation and described how Native peoples traveled hundreds of miles to obtain...

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator · Bird

Lewis and Clark observed trumpeter swans at multiple points during the expedition. Large flocks were first noted in marshes near their winter camp at Wood River, Illinois, on February 15, 1804, before the main expedition...

William Clark as Governor of Missouri Territory

Chester Harding, c. 1820

Harding's full-length portrait shows William Clark in middle age, depicted in formal civilian dress rather than military uniform, signaling his transition from frontier soldier to territorial administrator. Clark stands in a three-quarter pose against a…

1792 Contract Rifle (Expedition Primary Rifle)

The primary long arm of the Corps of Discovery was not, as long believed, the Model 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle, but rather the 1792 Contract Rifle — a Pennsylvania-style, single-shot,…

Bullet Molds

Fifteen pairs of bullet molds were obtained at Harpers Ferry Arsenal, one for each rifleman. These were scissor-type iron molds that clamped together to form a spherical cavity. Molten lead…

Girandoni Air Rifle

The Girandoni air rifle was arguably the most significant weapon of the entire expedition, serving more as a diplomatic instrument than a weapon of war. Designed by Italian-Tyrolean watchmaker and…

Indian Peace Medal (Jefferson)

The Indian peace medals carried by Lewis and Clark were among the most important diplomatic tools of the expedition, second only to the air rifle in their impact on Native…

Officers' Swords

Both Lewis and Clark carried swords as commissioned officers, though the exact pattern each carried is unknown. The 1787 U.S. regulations called for iron or steel mounted sabers of 36…

Pocket Pistols with Secret Triggers

On May 21, 1803, Lewis purchased a pair of pocket pistols from Robert Barnhill’s gun shop at 63 North Second Street in Philadelphia for $10. The surviving receipt reads: “Bot.…

Scalping Knife / Hunting Knife

Every member of the Corps of Discovery carried a large knife that served as an all-purpose tool for butchering game, preparing food, cutting wood, making repairs, and self-defense. These “scalping…

Treaty with the Kaskaskia, 1803

Land cession by the Kaskaskia. Region: Illinois 1. Covering 54 counties across IL. Associated dates: 1803-08-13, 1804-08-27, 1818-09-25. Present-Day Tribes Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma…

Treaty with the Seneca Nation of Indians, 1802

Treaty Provisions Hunting, Fishing, Gathering “… the right and privilege of encamping their fishing parties on the beach of said river for the purpose of fishing, which is the common…

Benjamin Rush's Questions for Lewis

Benjamin Rush, 1803

Rush prepared detailed questions covering Native American medical practices, physical characteristics, diet, diseases, morals, and religion. He also provided Lewis with a list of health rules for the expedition members…

Council with the Oto and Missouri Nations

Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, 1804

At this first council, Lewis and Clark established the diplomatic protocol they would follow throughout the expedition: raising the American flag, delivering a speech about the “Great Father” in Washington,…

Council with the Teton Sioux at Bad River

Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, 1804

The encounter began with a council on September 25, 1804, where communication was hampered by the lack of a competent Sioux interpreter. After distributing gifts, tensions escalated when warriors seized…

Court Martial Proceedings of the Expedition

Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, 1804

Military discipline was essential to the expedition’s survival, and Lewis and Clark maintained a formal court martial system throughout the journey. Private Moses Reed was found guilty of desertion in…

Jefferson's Confidential Message to Congress

Thomas Jefferson, 1803

This confidential message to Congress initiated the legislative authorization for what would become the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Jefferson requested an appropriation of $2,500 — a deliberate underestimate of the…

Jefferson's Instructions to Meriwether Lewis

Thomas Jefferson, 1803

Jefferson’s instructions represent the most important planning document of the expedition. He directed Lewis to observe and record: the names, numbers, and territories of Native nations; their languages, traditions, and…

Lewis's Astronomical Observations and Calculations

Meriwether Lewis, 1804

Lewis was trained in celestial navigation by Andrew Ellicott and Robert Patterson before the expedition. Using a sextant, chronometer, and artificial horizon, he recorded observations of the sun, moon, and…

Lewis's Letter to Jefferson Announcing the Expedition's Return

Meriwether Lewis, 1806

Writing from St. Louis, Lewis summarized the expedition’s key findings: “In obedience to your orders we have penetrated the Continent of North America to the Pacific Ocean.” He described the…

Lewis's Letter to Jefferson from Fort Mandan

Meriwether Lewis, 1805

This letter accompanied the keelboat returning from Fort Mandan with a crew of soldiers, traders, and the Arikara chief. Lewis described the expedition’s encounters with Native nations, the geography of…

Lewis's Letter to William Clark Inviting Him to Co-Command

Meriwether Lewis, 1803

Writing from Washington, Lewis described the expedition’s objectives and invited Clark to share command: “If therefore there is anything… which would induce you to participate with me in its fatigues,…

Lewis's Requisition of Supplies from the U.S. Arsenal

Meriwether Lewis, 1803

The supply lists included 15 Model 1803 rifles from Harper’s Ferry, powder canisters, lead, flints, knives, tomahawks, and the expedition’s famous iron-framed boat. Lewis also procured scientific instruments including a…

Louisiana Purchase Treaty

Robert Livingston, James Monroe, François Barbé-Marbois, 1803

The Louisiana Purchase transferred approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France to the United States, encompassing all or part of 15 future states. The treaty was signed in Paris…

Private Whitehouse's Journal

Joseph Whitehouse, 1804

Two versions of Whitehouse’s journal exist: an original rough journal and a later paraphrased version that Whitehouse apparently prepared for publication (which never occurred). The journal provides unique observations about…

Sergeant Floyd's Journal

Charles Floyd, 1804

Floyd’s journal is the shortest of the expedition journals, ending abruptly as his illness worsened. His entries record the daily progress up the Missouri, encounters with the Oto and Missouri…

Sergeant Ordway's Journal

John Ordway, 1804

Ordway’s journal is particularly valuable because it covers the entire expedition without the gaps found in Lewis’s journal. It documents daily routines, hunting results, weather observations, and events in camp…

The Journals of Lewis and Clark

Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, 1804

Lewis and Clark each maintained separate journals, though Lewis’s entries are notably absent for long periods (leading to enduring speculation about what he was doing during these gaps). Clark was…

Academy of Natural Sciences — Lewis & Clark Herbarium

Holds the largest collection of Lewis and Clark botanical specimens, located in the city where Lewis trained for the expedition.

Patrick Gass Birth Site

Birthplace of Sergeant Patrick Gass, Lewis and Clark Expedition member and first to publish an account of the journey.

Meriwether Lewis' Formative Years: Learning Experiences in Georgia

An examination of Meriwether Lewis' early years through family letters preserved at the Missouri Historical Society, revealing that young Lewis only visited Georgia rather than residing there, and documenting the educational foundation that shaped the future explorer.