N3845

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Horneward Bound

After leaving Fort Clatsop, the Corps proceeded up the columbia. On April 21, 1806 they left the canoes and headed toward the mountains. On the 27th they began a three-day visit with the Nez Perce with whom they had left their horses. Thc mountains were impassable with deep snow, and for a month the men waited. On June 2nd Lewis wrote, "Not any of us have forgotten our sufferings in those mountains in September last, and I thiilk it probable we never shall." On.lune 10th they ascended the mountains with each member mounted and leading a packhorse. On June 17th deep snow forced a retreat. On June 24th they tried again with Nez Perce guides, and six days later the Rockies had been crossed. Heading eastward the captains decided to split the Corps into five groups to enhance exploration and map making. The decision to split their force and risk failure remains tlre one major criticism of their joint cornmand.

On August 7th Lewis found a note from Clark at the mouth of the Yellowstone and knew they soon would be reunited. On the 11th Lewis went elk hunting with the visually impaired Cruzatte. In a thick willow grove the private mistook the captain for an elk and shot him in the buttocks. Lucky to be alive, Lewis had to continue the trip on his stomach. A significant historical encounter occurrcd the next morning. The Corps met two American fur trappers - Joseph Dickson and Forrest Hancock heading west. They were thc first of many brave Americans that would now follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. On the 14th the expedition reached the Mandan villages. Clark offered to take "Pomp" to St. l-ouis to raise and educate him, and Saca-jawea replied maybe at a later date. Clark would later write that Sacajawea "deserved a greater reward for her attention and sevices on that rout than we had in our power to give her." The party stopped at Floyds Bluff on Septentber 4th to pay their respects to their fallen sergeant. By the 9th Lewis was fully recovered. On the 18th the expedition was within 150 miles of the settlements, and the men did not even want to stop to hunt. Two days later cows were sighted on the riverbank, and spontaneous shouts of joy heralded that long-awaited moment. The Corps of Discovery was home.