Interesting Facts About the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Lewis and Clark

Lewis’s family had long been neighbors and friends of Jefferson’s, and Lewis was Jefferson’s personal assistant. He had also studied navigation. He was 31 years old.

Lewis brought his Newfoundland dog, Seaman, with him, but no one is sure what happened to him.

Jefferson tried to send scans 4 times before Lewis and Clark.

Sakakawea (another spelling) was kidnapped by another tribe of Indians when she was a child. She was then sold to a French-Canadian fur trader named Charbonneau. She married Sacajawea and they had a son whom they nicknamed Pomp. She was 16 years old and he was 3 months old.

The entire journey took 2 years 4 months and 10 days.

Did 8,000 miles.

Brown bear and bighorn sheep were discovered on the mission. The brown bear made a great impression on everyone who participated in the exploration.

A prairie dog was sent to Thomas Jefferson.

In total, they found 178 new plants and 122 new animal species.

When they got back, Clark was given the job of Indian agent for the west.

Lewis was appointed governor of the new Louisiana Territory, but died soon after.

Clark’s slave York accompanied them on the mission. York’s father was a slave to Clark’s father, so York was bequeathed to Clark. He was the first black person the Indians saw. York was married and wanted to live with his wife, but Clark wouldn’t let him. When they returned from the York mission he was the only one who didn’t make up the trip.

The longest distance traveled in one day was 50 miles when they were on a downstream river.

The most popular trade items were colored beads, but things like scissors, thimbles, and knives were also traded.

Frostbite was a common medical problem.

After the people on the expedition tried on the moccasins, they all started wearing them. Sometimes they had to be replaced every other day.