Stream Team Academy Fact Sheet #3
LEWIS & CLARK
An Educational Series For Stream Teams To Learn and Collect Stream Team Academy Fact Sheet Series 004 marks the bicentennial of the introverted, melancholic, and moody; #1: Tree Planting Guide Lewis and Clark expedition. Clark, extroverted, even-tempered, and 2Meriwether Lewis and his chosen gregarious. The better educated and more #2: Spotlight on the Big companion, William Clark, were given a refined Lewis, who possessed a Muddy very important and challenging task by philosophical, romantic, and speculative President Thomas Jefferson. Lewis was a mind, was at home with abstract ideas; #3: Lewis & Clark long-time friend of Jeffersons and his Clark, of a pragmatic mold, was more of a personal secretary. They shared common practical man of action. Each supplied Watch for more Stream views on many issues but, perhaps most vital qualities which balanced their Team Academy Fact importantly, they both agreed on the partnership. Sheets coming your way importance of exploring the west. The The men and their accompanying soon. Plan to collect the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 made this party were brave and courageous. They entire educational series possible as well as critical for a growing had no way of knowing what they would for future reference! nation to learn about the recently acquired encounter on their journey or if they lands and peoples that lay between the would make it back alive. They set out Mississippi River and a new western with American pride to explore the border. unknown, a difficult task that many times Both Lewis and Clark have been goes against human nature. The hours described as relatively young, intelligent, they spent planning and preparing for adventurous, resourceful, and courageous. their trip were immense. Imagine their Born leaders, experienced woodsmen- dreams, fears, and hopes as they frontiersmen, and seasoned Army officers, embarked on such a great journey. Enjoy they were cool in crisis and quick to make the celebration of this journey with us by decisions. In temperament Lewis and sharing in some of the facts from their Clark were opposites. Lewis was trip.
Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory, 820,000 square miles from France for $15 million, only about $.03/acre. Before the expedition began, Lewis purchased a Newfoundland dog, Seaman, for $20. Although not mentioned very often in their journals, it is believed that Seaman made the entire journey. Among the items taken on the journey were more than 20 dugout canoes to carry their supplies and equipment. The crew made some and bartered with Indians for others. Around the Next Bend The expedition traveled over 8000 by artist Mark Raithel miles over a period of 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days. Stream Team Academy Fact Sheet #3
Sacagawea was fifteen-years-old and six months pregnant when she joined the Lewis and Clark journey with her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau. She assisted with translation and knew the topography of the area well. She and her baby, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, also served the important role of showing Indian tribes that the party was a peaceful group. The Indians realized that a war party would not be accompanied by women and children. She showed her courage and bravery when, with her son bound to her back, she rescued a years worth of Captain Clarks journals from the Missouris waters after a boat capsized.
When game was plentiful, each man official member of the expedition ate about nine pounds of meat a day. party. Her husband, Toussaint Their route included traveling by boat Charbonneau, was hired as an 2,575 miles up the Missouri through interpreter and took Sacagawea challenging rapids, maneuvering along. She was allowed to join the difficult snags to the Missouris Great party as an unofficial member Falls. They then portaged over 18 because the captains thought she miles on land and traveled 200 more would be useful to help in communi- Meriwether Lewis river miles, followed by 140 miles cating with some of the Indian tribes across the Bitterroots. The end of their they met and also in obtaining horses journey took them downstream on the from her native tribe, the Shoshone. Snake, Clearwater, and Columbia At the conclusion of the expedition, Rivers for 640 miles to the Pacific Lewis was appointed governor of the Ocean. Louisiana Territory and Clark to Congress approved $2,500 for the Brigadier General and Chief of expedition; the final cost was $38,727. Indian Affairs. Lewis lived only Near the present-day town of three years after the expedition, Jefferson City, Lewis and Clark dying in 1809. Clark lived until recorded an abundance of elk and the age of 68, dying in 1838. buffalo. He tried for a chance at Channelization has shortened the governor of Missouri in 1820, but Missouri River by 127 miles since failed and served as Superinten- Lewis and Clarks journey. dent of Indian Affairs until his Silas Goodrich, a member of the death. Corp of Discovery, was generally William Clark acknowledged as the best angler of the Both these heroes, and those that group. Clark recorded in his journal that on August 16, 1804, they caught traveled with them, will live long in our upwards of 800 fine fish, including 79 nations history as we take pride in a pike, 127 Buffalow and red horse journey that links both our past and our and 490 catfish. future as well as our industrial and our The famous Sacagawea was not an natural worlds.
Sources: www.lewisclark.net Portrait of Meriwether Lewis Around the Next Bend Artist: Charles Willson Peale, 1807-08 Artist: Mark Raithel www.pbs.org/lewisandclark Oil on paper on canvas H 23" W 19" Used with permission: www.ndlewisandclark.com Independence National Historic Park INDE 11870 Missouri Conservation www.rootsweb.com Portrait of William Clark Heritage Foundation Artist: Charles Willson Peale, 1807 www.enquirer.com Oil on board H 23" W 18 3/4" www.usmint/gov/mint_programs/golden_dollar_coin Independence National Historic Park INDE 14096