What The Corps Found
Lewis and Clark's expedition left North Dakota in April of 1805. It would be more than a year before the Corps of Discovery returned to North Dakota on their return journey. In August of 1806 the Corps of Discovery left North Dakota -- a year behind schedule but having accomplished so much.
Scouting
President Jefferson had many purposes in mind when he sent Lewis and Clark on their long journey. Most importantly, they were commissioned as a military expedition to establish American interests in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. This was especially important since most of the French fur traders in the area had no idea the territory had changed hands.As they traveled the Missouri, Lewis identified suitable locations for trading posts and cities. One such site was the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers 20 miles west of present day Williston.
"On the Missouri, about 2 1/2 miles from the entrance of the Yellowstone
River and between this high and low plain, a small lake is situated, about
200 yards wide, extending along the edge of the high plain, parallel with
the Missouri about one mile. On the point of the high plain, at the lower
extremity of this lake, I think would be the most eligible site for an establishment."
---Captain Lewis, 27 April 1805
A Violent Encounter
On the return trip from the Pacific, the expedition's only violent encounter with natives occurred just outside present day North Dakota on July 27th. Attacked by a party of Blackfeet who were trying to steal guns and horses, Lewis and his men fired on the warriors, killing one and wounding another who eventually died. Not long after, on the 11th of August, Lewis was seriously wounded himself. Hunting with Pierre Cruzat, the near-sighted one-eyed expedition cook, Lewis was shot in the buttocks. At first, Lewis feared another attack by Indians but soon came to believe he was shot by Cruzat who mistook Lewis for an elk, although Cruzat denied having fired on him. Painful though his wound was, Lewis was anxious for the party to rejoin Clark and pushed on, traveling for many days lying prone in one of the boats.
Reunion
The party had split up on the return trip to explore more territory. Although it was only supposed to be a short separation, it was more than 6 weeks before Lewis' and Clark's parties reunited. Clark's party re-entered North Dakota first and continued down the Missouri, leaving signs for Lewis' party to follow. Finally on August 12th, the expedition came together once again.
"At 1 pm I overtook Captain Clark and party and had the pleasure
of finding them all well. "
- Captain Lewis, 12 August 1806
The Party Disbands
In the summer of 1806, the Corps of Discovery was at last on its way home. Speeding downstream with the current, they returned to the Knife River villages. There, the Corps of Discovery, who had been together for more than two years, bid farewell to some of their fellow explorers -- among them Sakakawea and her little boy. Charbonneau decided to return to the Hidatsa village in which they lived before joining the Corps of Discovery and he, Sakakawea, and their little boy Pompey left the expedition. But Clark had become very attached to the youngster and convinced Charbonneau to send Pompey to live with him when he was old enough to leave his mother. Also choosing to leave the expedition at this time was Private John Colter who wished to continue his explorations and take life as a fur trader. Colter's further explorations provided detail to Clark's map which was published in 1814. Colter is credited with being the first white man to explore what is now Yellowstone National Park. His description (not believed at the time) of the geysers and other geothermal phenomena, caused the area to become known as “Colter’s Hell.”
However, new members joined the expedition at this time. The Mandan chief Sheheke (Big White) agreed to accompany Lewis and Clark as a gesture of friendship. With his wife and son, and the translator Pierre Jussome and his family, Big White headed downriver to St. Louis as a guest of Lewis. Unfortunately much to President Jefferson's chagrin, Lewis proved to be an undependable host. After a failed attempt to return to Knife River Villages was foiled by hostile Arikara and Sioux, Lewis left Sheheke, Jussome and their families to languish in St. Louis for sixteen months until he finally arranged their return voyage with the American Fur Trading Company. Sheheke's party finally returning to their homes in September of 1809.
The confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers is little changed from Corps of Discovery's time.
What The Corps Found