Lewis and Clark Expedition

The lewis and clark expedition (1804–1806) was the first U.S. overland expedition from the east coast to the west coast of the continent. It was led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark. After the Louisiana Purchase expanded U.S. territory in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson, inspired by French ideas for a similar scientific expedition through their territory, accelerated plans for what became the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Initially there were 33 in the expedition. Captain Lewis, Jefferson's private secretary, was the leader. Captain Clark shared command, although he was technically second-in-command. Sergeant Charles Floyd was the quartermaster; his death early in the trip was the only fatality suffered by the team. There were three other sergeants, one corporal, and the rest were private soldiers, ...