The Captains of the
Corps of Discovery
During 1803-1806,
following a commission ordered by President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis &
William Clark led an expedition on an epic journey to explore the headwaters of the
Missouri River & to find an overland route to the Pacific Ocean by way of the Columbia
River.
After traveling by
land, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to meet his supply train, Meriwether Lewis obtained
a large keelboat, loaded supplies that would sustain the expedition for nearly three years
and
traveled down the Ohio River to Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana Territory.
On Oct. 14, 1803, Meriweather Lewis met up with William Clark & one of our nations
most illustrious partnerships was formed
(You could say that it was at this point that the Lewis & Clark Expedition began). |
Two weeks
later, with young men recruited from the Midwest who would
comprise the nucleus of the Corps of
Discovery, the captains set sail for Camp
DuBois near Wood River, Illinois. Here
the Corps spent the winter, training &
making further preparation for their
expedition. On May 14,1804, the Corps of
Discovery departed Camp DuBois in the
keelboat & two perogues "and proceeded
on under a jentle brease up the Missouri"
according to William Clark's joumal.
You can still see Clark's
original
journal. You can learn more about this
great adventure & relive many of its
fascinating aspects by joining us as a
member of the Ohio River Chapter.
Meetings are held in the Spring, Summer,
and Fall at sites throughout the Greater
Ohio River area. The meetings focus on
the Expedition & often include visits to
historical sites of the period.
If you like true life
adventure,
enjoy experiel~cing the history of our
country, and believe in preserving the
historical cornerstones of our nation, you
should become a member.
Opportunities for adventure
& learning abound! |
