LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

On this day in 1804, Lewis and Clark left on their famous expedition.  Here are some interesting facts about it.

1. Before reaching the Rockies they ran out of food in the winter and had to eat their tallow candles.
2. The Nez Perce had opportunities to ambush and wipe them out, but one of their women who had been rescued from captivity by an enemy tribe by white men, convinced the men not to attack.
3. In the two years, they only lost one man. Sgt. Charles Floyd died of illness.
4. The men had lots of sex with Indian women and got lots of venereal disease.
5. Lewis brought Newfoundland dog named Seaman (often incorrectly named Scannon). The dog was popular with the men.  It saved some of them from drowning.  He once ran off a buffalo that was charging one of the tents.  He was once stolen by Indians and Lewis threatened to burn their village if he was not returned.
6. Clark brought his slave York. During the expedition York was treated as though he was free and equal to the other men.  York was a valuable member of the group.  He was also the most popular with the Indian ladies who found his skin color and curly hair very attractive.  When the expedition returned to civilization, York was expected by Clark to return to servitude.  York, after his taste of freedom and equality, was not as manageable and became downright uppity.  He may have been set free and may have owned his own business.
7. Sacajawea was their Indian guide. She was the wife of a French fur trapper and was pregnant at the start.  Her presence discouraged Indian attacks because Indians figured they could not be a threat since they had a woman with them.  She gave birth to a boy named Jean Baptiste who was nicknamed Pompey.  After the expedition returned, Sacajawea and her husband went back to fur trapping and Pompey was left with Clark who raised and schooled him.

https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition/cheryl-adams-richkoff?utm_source=sendgrid_newsletter&utm_medium=WeirdHistory&utm_campaign=Uber