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One location that Lewis and Clark encountered during their expedition was Tavern Cave. This cave is located east of the Mississippi River, and about thirty-two miles west of modern day St. Louis. It is located at the exact coordinates “38°36'19.2"N 90°45'10.5"W”. The land in this area seems relatively flat, and the climate is wet and cool. The Tavern Cave is located in the Midwest region of the United States. One major way of movement of goods in this area, especially during the time of Lewis and Clark’s expedition was the Missouri River. People have changed the area around this spot by building roads, and part of the cave was blasted away to make a railroad. As a result, a large amount of debris covers the cave mouth.

Another location that Lewis and Clark encountered during their expedition was Two Medicine Creek, which is where the Two Medicine Fight Site is at. This location is about

25 miles southeast of Browning, Montana. The exact location of the creek is “48°29'46.6"N 113°20'57.3"W”. In this location, there are a lot of trees, and a lot of open area. The climate seems kind of dry and mountainous. The Two Medicine Fight Site is located in Montana, which is in the west region of the United States. Movement and migration was probably limited in this area because there are a lot of mountains nearby which could restrict movement. One example of interaction in this area is the roads that go through the area.

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                                                   POST #4

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                                                   POST #4

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                                                   Blackfeet

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                                                   Blackfeet

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One Native American tribe that the Corps encountered on their expedition was the Blackfeet Indian tribe. Before the Lewis and Clark exploration, the Blackfeet were known for being kind to Europeans, but relations soon got complicated. The Blackfeet were frequent trade partners with Canadian-based British merchants. During the Lewis and Clark expedition, they encountered 8 Blackfeet warriors who decided to camp with the Americans for the night. In the morning, Lewis shared the United States plan to spread a “comprehensive peace between all the Indian tribes of the west”. He then explained that the Blackfeet’s enemy tribes already agreed to this peace and were to receive guns and ammunition.

The fact that they had were going to arm their enemy tribes was taken as a threat and they believed doing so would limit their power. The Blackfeet warriors then tried to steal the expedition’s guns, and resulted in the death of two Blackfeet Indians. “The incident marked the first act of bloodshed between the western Indians and representatives of the United States.” Once the Blackfeet spread the word of what happened, the Blackfeet did not respect the Americans and regarded them with hostility. In the years to follow, the Blackfeet would be responsible for the death of three of the members of the Corps of Discovery.

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Another new animal that Lewis and Clark discovered during their expedition was the buffalo, which is now known as the American Bison. Buffalo are large, even-toed, hoofed mammals with horns on their heads. They are often found in large herds in the west eating grass. Buffalo have very thick fur all over there bodies. This fur could have benefited the lives of American people by being made into hide to keep people warm. I think that the corps was probably surprised by the buffalo because they are very large and travel in groups, which could have startled them.

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One new animal that was discovered by  Lewis and Clark on their expedition was the Prairie Dog. This animal is known for being very social and for being “small, short-tailed animals with eyes and small ears set far back on their heads.” They also have brown fur that blends in with the dirt, and weigh about 1-3 pounds. They live underground by burrowing holes through the soil. Prairie Dogs are often found in large groups, which could have surprised the Corps of Discovery. Another feature that may have surprised them could have been that they are very small. They are only about 14-17 inches in length. Prairie Dogs can be used to benefit the American people by eating plants like weeds that may be taking over the crops.

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Plant #2: Clarkia pulchella (Pink Fairies)

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Plant #2: Clarkia pulchella (Pink Fairies)

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Another new plant that was discovered by Lewis and Clark on their expedition was the Clarkia pulchella, also known as Pink Fairies. These flowers are easily identified by their distinct four, dark pink petals which have 3 lobes on each. Another feature of them is that they have a white pistil in the middle of the flower. They are often found on leafy branches that can grow up to two feet high. I think that the members of the corps might have liked these flowers, because they are found in the south, so it was a new discovery, and it is a pretty looking flower. This flower can be used to benefit the American people by being made into natural green and gold dyes.

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Plant #1: White Philadelphus lewisii (aka Mock Orange)

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Plant #1: White Philadelphus lewisii (aka Mock Orange)

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One new plant that Lewis and Clark encountered on their expedition was the White Philadelphus lewisii, which is commonly known as the Mock Orange. This plant only grows in the west, which explains why it was a discovery to the Corps of Discovery. This plant has a white flower, which has several yellow stamens, which is growing off of a long stem. I think the the members of the corps may have been fascinated by this flower because of its scent. It is said to smell like orange blossoms (hence the name) with a hint of pineapple. The Mock Orange has some Medical uses, is can be ground up and rubbed on sores to help soothe them.

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                                                                                   POST 3

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George Drouillard was 28 years old when he was enlisted in the Corps of Discovery. He was the son of a French Canadian father and Shawnee Indian mother and his job was a civilian interpreter. Drouillard was recommended because he was “an excellent hunter with a good knowledge of the Indians’ character and sign language… [and] was superior in situations of danger, where nerve, endurance and cool judgment were needed.” Because of his skills in sign language, he was sent to positive relationships with various Indian tribes. During the winter of 1804-05, his hunting and interpretive skills helped establish relations with the Mandan Indians, who the Corps survived a very cold winter with.

Drouillard’s unique set of skills was very beneficial to the exploration of Lewis and Clark. Meriwether Lewis trusted him so much that he entrusted the deliviary of the first letters containing “reports of the expedition to the postmaster in Cahokia.” His skills came in handy several times during the expedition, and they helped to establish good relations with Native Americans and in some cases kept him and the rest of the group alive. His excellence in hunting helped the crew as well, so that makes me believe that George Drouillard was of important significance to the Corps of Discovery.

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                Private: Pierre Cruzatte

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                Private: Pierre Cruzatte

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Pierre Cruzatte was a man of French and Omaha Indian origin. He was enlisted into the Corps of Discovery on May 16, 1804 because he was an expert riverman. He had spent several winters trading along the Missouri River, so he was given the position of bowman in the keelboat for his “ability to spot the slack water eddies that would assist in advancing the boats upstream.” Before he was enlisted, he had “been a trader on the Missouri for the Chouteau fur interests”. Cruzatte also spoke the Omaha language and was skilled in sign language. But, Cruzatte only had one eye, and his vision problem caused him to shoot Meriwether Lewis in the “left thye”.

Another good reason to bring Cruzatte on this expedition was because he kept the groups spirit’s high by playing the fiddle. “In the winter of 1804-1805, while the Corps was camped at Fort Mandan, Cruzatte’s fiddle warmed their simple holiday celebrations”. He was so valuable among Lewis and Clark that he was one of six men to accompany Lewis on an exploration of the north fork of the Missouri river. Cruzatte’s knowledge of some native language came in handy a couple of times, for example, one time the Sioux captured one of the group’s pirogues, and his translations and generous gifts to the indians helped to avoid conflict between them. Pierre Cruzatte’s unique skill set which included geographical knowledge, being a master riverman, and knowing some Native American language all made him an important addition to the Corps of Discovery.

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                                            Captain: Meriwether Lewis

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                                            Captain: Meriwether Lewis

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Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 in Virginia on a large plantation. His parents were William and Lucy Meriwether Lewis. Every since he was little, he has had an interest in plants which was encouraged by his mother. In 1794, Lewis joined the Continental Army and by 1801, was appointed as Thomas Jefferson’s personal secretary. Lewis then planned out this expedition to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Purchase. This expedition was approved by Congress in 1803. Lewis is a good person to bring on an exploration like this because he “possessed many intellectual and physical qualities, which were refined during additional training prior to the start of the expedition”. He was in good physical shape, he was observant, had a keen eye for nature, and was “was fiercely loyal, disciplined, and flexible”.

It was soon found out that Lewis was not capable of being the only man in charge, so he appointed William Clark. When Lewis and Clark met up, they decided that Lewis would be in charge of appointing men “who could provide knowledge of the Upper Missouri, its Native Americans, and secure safe and expeditious routes for American commerce. Lewis would also serve as the party’s naturalist, collecting plant, animal, and mineral specimens to be taken back to Monticello and the East for examination and study.” These men would be called the Corps of Discovery. Lewis gave speeches to the Native American tribes that made him an “effective agent of American imperialism”.

Captain Meriwether Lewis was a valuable addition to the Corps of Discovery because he was “was brave, prudent, habituated to the woods & familiar with Indian manners and character” according to Thomas Jefferson. Also, his strength, stamina, and health were put to the test throughout the journey when he fell nearly 20 feet, accidently poisoned himself, and was shot in the “thye” by one of his own crew members which resulted in a very painful recovery. Also, the conditions were rough during the trip, they had to go through “[T]remendous mountains which for 60 miles are covered with eternal snow.” and his leadership and discipline skills from serving in the Army helped get everyone through, only one man died the entire journey. Lewis was also good at map making, which was a main goal of the journey. All of his skills and qualities were valued throughout the journey, making him an important part of the expedition.

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                                                                POST 1

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A two-volume edition of Linnaeus (the founder of the Latin classification of plants)

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A two-volume edition of Linnaeus (the founder of the Latin classification of plants)

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This book is important because part of their exploration was to discover new types of plants and animals and this book would help them do that.

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150 yards of cloth to be oiled and sewn into tents and sheets

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150 yards of cloth to be oiled and sewn into tents and sheets

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Cloth is important because it is used to make tents and tents can make a safe shelter to sleep in and keep the travelers safe from wildlife.

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These are very important because they are used to make maps which was one of the main goals of the expedition.

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Map of the Great Bend of the Missouri River

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Map of the Great Bend of the Missouri River

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This could help them because they will be exploring new land, and a map of the places that they already know will help them navigate.

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That is important because is is a form of self defense. It could protect them from the indian tribes that don’t accept them, and it could also be used to hunt.

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This is important because it will keep them warm in the cold, especially in the Rocky Mountains.

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This is important because it a large supply of food that will last them a while if they can not find any wildlife to eat.

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These are important because they were able to cut down branches and get wood for fires. Also, a hatchet could come in handy in a close range attack.

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This is important because it is used to make fire, which is important to keep everyone warm and to cook food.

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This is important because it will show Lewis and Clark that they are heading the right direction, so that they know where they are going and if they get lost they can keep heading in the right direction or head home.