3415 Entries
Journal Entries
Original journal entries from all six expedition journalists: Lewis, Clark, Floyd, Ordway, Gass, and Whitehouse. Sourced from the Thwaites Edition (1904-1905).
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Aug
21
1803
Lewis Buys Newfoundland Dog Seaman in Pittsburgh
While waiting in Pittsburgh for the keelboat to be finished, Meriwether Lewis bought a Newfoundland dog for $20 and named him Seaman. The Newfoundland breed was known for…
Aug
22
1803
Keelboat Unfinished; Pittsburgh Preparations Continue
In Pittsburgh, Lewis pressed on with preparations for the Ohio River journey, though the keelboat commissioned months earlier remained unfinished. He spent the day supervising the final stages…
Aug
23
1803
Writing Jefferson While the Builder Delays
Lewis spent another frustrating day in Pittsburgh waiting for the keelboat to be finished, as the builder's slow pace continued to test his patience. He put the delay…
Aug
24
1803
Scientific Instruments Organized During Pittsburgh Wait
Still delayed in Pittsburgh waiting on his keelboat, Lewis spent the day organizing the scientific instruments that would be vital for charting unknown territory, including a chronometer, sextant,…
Aug
25
1803
Medical Chest Inventoried; Rush's Thunderbolts Packed
With the keelboat still delayed, Lewis used the time to inventory the expedition's medical stores, which had been assembled under the direction of Philadelphia physician Dr. Benjamin Rush.…
Aug
26
1803
Falling Ohio River Waters Heighten Departure Urgency
Lewis worried about the steadily dropping water levels on the Ohio River, knowing that each day of delay made downstream navigation more difficult. The boat builder again assured…
Aug
27
1803
Fifty-Five-Foot Keelboat Inspected and Measured
Lewis inspected the nearly completed keelboat that would serve as the expedition's main vessel. The 55-foot craft had a 32-foot mast and could be moved by sail, oars,…
Aug
28
1803
Pirogue Purchased; River Hands Hired for Ohio Descent
Lewis made final preparations to depart down the Ohio River, loading supplies onto the keelboat and hiring experienced river hands to help navigate the difficult low waters expected…
Aug
29
1803
Fourteen Bales of Indian Presents Loaded Aboard
With the keelboat finally completed, Lewis oversaw the loading of supplies and equipment for the expedition. The cargo included 14 bales of Indian presents such as beads, mirrors,…
Aug
30
1803
Final Accounts Settled; Last Letter Sent to Jefferson
On his last day in Pittsburgh before launching the expedition, Lewis tied up loose ends in preparation for departure the following morning. He settled his accounts with local…
Aug
31
1803
Keelboat Departs Pittsburgh; Crew Drags Through Shallows
Meriwether Lewis finally left Pittsburgh on the keelboat with eleven hands, starting the descent down the Ohio River. Unusually low water, sometimes only six inches deep over gravel…
Sep
1
1803
Keelboat Grounded on Ohio River Gravel Bars
Below Pittsburgh on the Ohio River, Lewis encountered exceptionally low water that made navigation difficult. The keelboat repeatedly grounded on gravel bars and shallow riffles, forcing the crew…
Sep
2
1803
Oxen Teams Hired to Haul Boat Over Riffles
The expedition continued its journey down the Ohio River, encountering shallow stretches that the boat could not easily pass. To overcome these obstacles, Lewis hired local oxen teams…
Sep
3
1803
Record Low Water Slows Progress on Ohio
Travel down the Ohio River was slow due to unusually low water levels, which local residents described as the worst they could remember. Despite these challenging conditions and…
Sep
4
1803
Passing Settlements and Farms Along the Ohio
Traveling down the Ohio River, Lewis moved past a number of small settlements, pausing now and then to gather supplies. The surrounding country was well-populated, with farms and…
Sep
5
1803
Cargo Portaged Overland Around Shallow Riffles
On the Ohio River, the keelboat ran into more shallow riffles that blocked easy passage. To get past them, Lewis directed the crew to unload the boat's cargo,…
Sep
6
1803
Rich Bottomland Forests Observed Along Ohio Banks
Lewis pushed slowly down the Ohio River, covering only a few miles as persistently low water levels hampered progress. Along the way, he took note of the surrounding…
Sep
7
1803
Natural History Notes Amid Low Water Obstacles
On this day, the expedition continued its slow and difficult passage down the Ohio River, where low water and obstacles hampered progress. Lewis spent much of the day…
Sep
8
1803
Past Little Muskingum as Gravel Beds Widen
Lewis continued his journey down the Ohio River, passing the mouth of the Little Muskingum River along the way. The crew encountered several challenging sections where the river…
Sep
9
1803
Approaching Marietta at the Muskingum Confluence
The expedition approached Marietta, Ohio, situated at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. Marietta was noted as one of the oldest settlements in the Northwest Territory.
Sep
10
1803
Resupplying at Marietta's Busy Ohio Shipyard
On September 10, 1803, Lewis stopped at Marietta, Ohio, a thriving river town that had been founded in 1788. He used the visit to resupply the expedition and…
Sep
11
1803
Seaman Catches Migrating Squirrels in the Ohio
While traveling down the Ohio River, Lewis observed large numbers of gray squirrels swimming across the water in a mass migration. His Newfoundland dog, Seaman, repeatedly leaped from…
Sep
12
1803
Best Day's Progress Since Leaving Pittsburgh
Traveling below Marietta on the Ohio River, Lewis encountered slightly improved conditions that allowed for easier passage. He covered more miles on this day than on any previous…
Sep
13
1803
Forested Virginia Hills Versus Settled Ohio Shore
Lewis continued his journey down the Ohio River through increasingly rural terrain. The Virginia shore, which is part of present-day West Virginia, was marked by steep, forested hills,…
Sep
14
1803
Coal Deposits Spotted Near Little Kanawha Mouth
On this day, the expedition continued down the Ohio River, passing the mouth of the Little Kanawha River. Lewis observed coal deposits exposed in the riverbanks, taking note…
Sep
15
1803
Mansion Under Construction on Blennerhassett Island
Lewis traveled down the Ohio River and passed Blennerhassett Island, a large and scenic island located near what is today Parkersburg, West Virginia. He noted that the island's…
Sep
16
1803
Celestial Observations Practiced on the Ohio
The expedition continued its descent down the Ohio River. During the day, Lewis took advantage of available opportunities to practice celestial observations, working to sharpen the navigational and…
Sep
17
1803
Deer Among Dense Oak and Walnut Forests
Lewis continued his journey down the Ohio River, observing the landscape becoming increasingly wild and undeveloped. Dense forests of oak, walnut, and hickory trees stretched along both banks…
Sep
18
1803
Higher Water Eases Passage Past Hocking River
On this day, Lewis continued down the Ohio River, passing the mouth of the Hocking River. River conditions had improved, with higher water levels allowing the party to…
Sep
19
1803
Anticipating Clark's Welcome at Clarksville
The expedition continued its journey downstream along the river, heading toward the falls at Louisville. Lewis anticipated his upcoming meeting with William Clark, who was waiting at Clarksville,…
Sep
20
1803
Passing Gallipolis, Frontier Town of French Immigrants
On this day, the expedition passed Gallipolis, Ohio, a frontier settlement on the Ohio River that had been established in 1790 by French immigrants. The residents of the…
Sep
21
1803
Wider River Raises Hope of Reaching Clark
As Lewis continued down the Ohio River, the waterway grew wider and deeper, allowing him to cover more miles each day. The improved conditions boosted his hopes of…
Sep
22
1803
Broad Confluence at the Great Kanawha Mouth
On this day, Lewis traveled past the mouth of the Great Kanawha River, a major tributary of the Ohio. The confluence opened up into a broad, easily navigable…
Sep
23
1803
Three-State Frontier Convergence on the Ohio
The expedition continued its journey down the Ohio River, passing the point where the present-day states of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky converge. At this time, the three-state…
Sep
24
1803
Reviewing Jefferson's Instructions on Smoother Waters
On this day, Lewis traveled along a wider and deeper section of the Ohio River, which allowed for smoother and faster progress. Taking advantage of the easier navigation,…
Sep
25
1803
Shifting Geology and Vegetation Noted in Ohio Hills
While traveling down the upper Ohio River valley, Lewis observed the hilly terrain and noted shifts in geology and vegetation as he continued his journey south and west.…
Sep
26
1803
Big Sandy River Marks Virginia-Kentucky Boundary
On this day, the expedition approached the mouth of the Big Sandy River, which formed the boundary between Virginia and Kentucky. As they continued downstream, the Ohio River…
Sep
27
1803
Fertile Kentucky Bottomlands Along the Ohio
The expedition continued downstream along the Ohio River through Kentucky. Lewis took note of the rich, fertile bottomlands lining the river, the same productive soils that had attracted…
Sep
28
1803
Keelboat Performs Well in Deeper Ohio Waters
The expedition continued down the Ohio River, making steady progress in deeper water. The keelboat performed well during the journey, and Lewis began to feel increasingly confident in…
Sep
29
1803
Approaching Scioto River Mouth Near Portsmouth
Lewis traveled down the Ohio River and approached the mouth of the Scioto River, near the settlement of Portsmouth, Ohio. As he continued downstream toward Cincinnati, he observed…
Sep
30
1803
One Month Out from Pittsburgh on the Ohio
On the last day of September 1803, Meriwether Lewis continued traveling down the Ohio River. This marked one full month since his departure from Pittsburgh, during which he…
Oct
1
1803
Favorable Currents Carry Party Toward Cincinnati
Lewis and his crew continued their journey down the Ohio River, traveling through Kentucky. River conditions grew more favorable as they moved farther downstream, allowing the party to…
Oct
2
1803
Lewis: October 2, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 2, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
3
1803
Lewis: October 3, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 3, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
4
1803
Lewis: October 4, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 4, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
5
1803
Farms and Settlements Signal Approach to Cincinnati
As the expedition approached Cincinnati along the Ohio River, the surrounding landscape showed signs of growing settlement. Both the Ohio and Kentucky shores were lined with farms and…
Oct
6
1803
Lewis: October 6, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 6, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
7
1803
Lewis: October 7, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 7, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
8
1803
Lewis: October 8, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 8, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
9
1803
Arrival at Cincinnati to Resupply and Recruit
Lewis arrived at Cincinnati, one of the largest towns along the Ohio River and a bustling frontier settlement of several thousand residents. He paused there to restock supplies,…
Oct
10
1803
Lewis: October 10, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 10, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
11
1803
Lewis: October 11, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 11, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
12
1803
Lewis: October 12, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 12, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
13
1803
Widening Ohio River Quickens Progress Downstream
Traveling downstream from Cincinnati, the expedition found the Ohio River widening and its current quickening, conditions that helped speed their journey. Lewis pushed forward steadily through the frontier…
Oct
14
1803
Departing Cincinnati Toward the Falls of the Ohio
Lewis left Cincinnati and resumed travel down the Ohio River, heading toward the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville. During his time in Cincinnati, he had taken the…
Oct
15
1803
Lewis: October 15, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 15, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
16
1803
Passing the Kentucky River Mouth Below Cincinnati
Traveling on the Ohio River below Cincinnati, Lewis continued downstream and passed the mouth of the Kentucky River along with several other tributaries entering the Ohio. The surrounding…
Oct
17
1803
Lewis: October 17, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 17, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
18
1803
Lewis: October 18, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 18, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
Oct
19
1803
Lewis: October 19, 1803
Editorial note: no detailed primary-source journal entry survives for October 19, 1803 that is distinct from the surrounding days. The...
