Territory Native
In 1803 I, Ross Henry, was working in Virginia when I learned of a new expansion into the west. Jefferson had bought the Louisiana territory from France for 15 million dollars. The territory was unknown, and therefore needed to be explored and surveyed. I soon learned that the man hired to lead the expedition was Meriwether Lewis, and it was some time before he chose a partner, William Clark, a military man. At the time this news reached me, it was by way of ignited interest in joining the expedition as a helping hand, and I immediately began to envision myself partaking on the trip, and embarking on an expedition that could win all of its participant's eternal glory…
I was asked to join the Corps of discovery upon writing a letter to Mr. Lewis himself. Interested parties were expected to write about their achievements and attributes that would set them apart from others hoping for a place amongst the elite. About two weeks after sending a letter, I received one back from Mr. Lewis asking me to join the expedition. The letter listed what to expect, what perils we might face, and what I should bring as an individual. I was instructed to bring warm, thick clothing and under layers as well- two pairs of canvas britches, two flannel shirts, and a quality petticoat. As for shoes, I was told to bring thick soled boots, and wool stockings. Food rations would be provided and accounted for each person to the exact estimate of what would need to be consumed in the time they guessed that it would take to complete seasonal intervals of our journey.
At the start of our trip, as we wandered from the states, we did have some struggles getting the boats through sandbars and shallows depths in the Missouri river. The river was tepid, and shallow enough in most parts that we could wade through slow moving currents. The farther we got from the states, the more apparent the change in scenery had become, and with such changes came a growing feeling of anticipation as to what we might find as we advanced. When we passed through areas of large plains and prairie, small animals that had high pitched barks could be observed. These animals would later be called “prairie dogs.” Strange birds that were exotic to us were also witnessed; one such bird was called the sharp-tailed grouse. Large herds of great beast-like mammals stomped across plains in many areas; they were named to be “buffalo.” In an effort to spare non perishable food rations, we would take time to hunt these creatures whilst others prepared camp for the night. We came across huge mountains, capped with snow, and transitioned from climates of warmth and sunshine, to snowy cold that left many discouraged at times of hardship. Many of us feared for our lives at times, because we could not fathom what might lie ahead in the river, or what unknown creature might be lurking hungrily in the forests, and raging heat or bitter cold could take its toll if we weren't attentive to its growing cause of weakness.
Always in our minds was the comprehension that at any moment we might cross paths with native Indians. We were prepared to approach them peacefully and in a manner that should avoid conflict, if done properly. As we made our way into lands unseen, the native Americans help became more and more invaluable. Friendly tribes showed us safely through rough territory, and made trade with us, allowing us to attain goods that needed to be replenished. When we reached the Shoshone tribe, a young 16 year old Indiana girl, Sacajawea, and her husband, offered to be our long term guides for the remainder of our trip to the pacific. There were five people involved in translations between Sacajawea and Mr. Lewis. Sacajawea was braver than most men we traveled with, including me. She once saved the most vital goods from being washed away when one of our boats toppled over. I often watched Mr. Clark recording events, findings, and other mapping details along the trip. He was truly a mastermind.
Over mountains, and through rapids, through heat and famine, and the bitter cold, after a little more than three years, we succeeded! The Pacific Ocean was reached, and there we discovered more exotic plants and animals, when we settled there for the winter months. During the months we settled, many men including myself dreaded the trip home, but I was eager to see my loved ones. Later after our return home many found out that their families thought they were dead. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Clark lifted our sprits about the journey home by assuring us that it would take much less time, for Mr. Clark had constructed a map. The entire expedition was overjoyed when it took only eight months time to return to the states, with the vital and precious knowledge it had taken so long to attain. I was saddened to learn years later that Mr. Lewis committed suicide; however, I was not surprised that Mr. Clark gained a position of power thereafter as the governor of the Missouri territory. I think about the struggles and the achievements of the years I spent on the expedition every day of my life. I can never regret the risk I took in leaving my job to discover the new territory because it opened my eyes and changed my life with a shift of paradigm that has not left me yet. Man can accomplish anything, and discovery is always open those who go looking.
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