Fort Clatsop Essay - 832 Words

Fort Clatsop Fort Clatsop was the encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (Corps of Discovery) in the Oregon Country. Located near the mouth of the Columbia River this site served as their camp from December 8, 1805 until their departure on March 23, 1806. Fort Clatsop is located along the Lewis and Clark River at the north end of the Clatsop Plains approximately 5 miles southwest of Astoria, the fort was the last encampment of the Corps of Discovery before embarking on their return trip east to St. Louis. Now the site is known as the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The Historical Site Upon the Corps of Discovery departure in March 1806, the fort rapidly decayed in the wet coastal forest of the western Oregon region, but was†¦show more content†¦They decided to settle in the relatively mild climate of the Pacific Coast while winter raged in the mountain highlands. Within 10 days of arriving on the coast, the Corps of Discovery decided to leave their storm-bound camp on the north shore of the Columbia River, and explore the area to the south. This area was said to have a ready supply of elk and deer and had convenient access to the ocean, which the men used to make salt. Lewis, with a small party, scouted ahead and found a â€Å"most eligible† site for winter quarters. On December 10, 1805, the men began to build a fort about two miles up the Netul River (now Lewis and Clark River). It took just over 3 weeks for the Expedition to build the fort, and by Christmas Day they were under shelter. They named the fort in honor of the friendly local Indian tribe, the Clatsop. Fort Clatsop would be the expedition’s home for the following three months. Throughout the winter Lewis and Clark maintained a strict military routine. A guard was constantly posted, and at sundown each day the fort was cleared of visitors and the gates locked for the night. Of the 106 days the explorers spent at the fort, it rained every day but 12, and the men suffered from colds, influenza, rheumatism, and other illnesses that the captains treated. Clothing rotted, and fleas infested the blankets and hides of the bedding to such a degree that aShow MoreRelatedLewis and Clark Expedition Essay926 Words   |  4 Pagesjourney ahead. The Corps continued up the Missouri River until winter hit and they stopped in the villages of the Mandan tribe in December 1804, and built Fort Mandan in present-day Washburn, North Dakota. In the brunt of the winter temperatures frequently dropped to -45 degrees and three men were severely frost bitten. They stayed at the fort until April 1805. So far, Lew and Clark had discovered 108 new plant species and 68 mineral types . Sacagawea became increasingly important to the expeditionRead MoreThe Lewis And Clark Expedition Crew1217 Words   |  5 Pages #14: Winter- The lewis and clark expedition crew stopped for the winter along a small river, south of the Columbia. They built a fort, fort Clatsop which was named after the closest tribe of native Americans at that time. During the winter, they didn t have a lot of adventurous activities to fill their time with, so they devoted their time to making moccasins, buckskin clothing, storing their food, and wring out unfinished maps and journaling their thoughts and findings. Their everyday life wasRead MoreAdvocating For Meriwether Lewis As The Face Of The $ 10 Bill1239 Words   |  5 Pagesknown for his part in leading the Corps of Discovery on their expedition across the land of the recently acquisitioned Louisiana Purchase. The expedition took place between May of 1804 to September of 1806 and spanned from St. Louis, Missouri to Fort Clatsop in present day Oregon. 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We came close to fighting with this tribe many times, but soon both of us backed down, and our expedition contin ued. During the winter of 1804-1805, we built Fort Mandan. After the fort had been set up, Indians came to visit us. We soon met a French-Canadian fur trapper and his wife named, Sacagawea. The fur trapper acted as a translator for us on this trip, and helped us make peace with the Indian chiefs. We continuedRead MoreLewis and Clark Expedition1018 Words   |  4 Pagesthey were helped by a Shoshone Indian named Sacagawea. Their journey was full of trouble and challenges but in the end led to a great discovery that changed the lives and beliefs of people everywhere. Their expedition stretched from camp wood to fort Clatsop. Lewis and Clark knew each other from the war where Clark was under William Lewis’s command later then Thomas Jefferson recruited Clark to lead this exploration and then he went to William Lewis to ask him to come along with him. Their expeditionRead MoreThe Second President Of The United States1311 Words   |  6 PagesBuffalo. The expedition reaches North Dakota and encounters the communities of the Mandans and the Hidatsas, who live in huge villages made of earth-lodges. The Corps decides to build their winter camp across the river from the main village and name it Fort Mandan. During their stay, they hire a French Canadian trader, middle-aged Toussaint Charbonneau, as an interpreter through his young wife Sacagawea. In January 1805, members of the expedition participate in the hunting of buffalo. The intense coldRead MoreThe Lewis ( 1774 ) And William Clark1735 Words   |  7 Pagesthe first snowfall, they reached the Mandan tribe’s villages, where they planned to spend the winter. They build Fort Mandan across the main village, for protection against the weather and attack by the Sioux. They finished the fort before the end of November. Guards were posted around the clock and switched every thirty minutes because of the intense cold. The expedition members spent Fort Mandan winter repairing equipment, trading with the Indians, and hunting for buffalo. Lewis and Clark learnedRead MoreThe Journals Of Lewis And Clark1470 Words   |  6 Pagessmall group and then when he reached the end of the path there was the Great Falls of The Missouri River which was a new experience for him. So he went back to Clark to head out once again since he knew which direction to go. After all the things since Fort Manda, on August 11 Lewis spotted a horse rider and later found out that it was a Shoshone Indian. The rider brought them to the village and later they found out that the rider was the brother of Sacagawea. The crew pleaded with the chief if they couldRead MoreThe History Of Lewis And Clark1651 Words   |  7 Pagesbuilt a fort, still in fear of the Sioux Indians coming for them. The winter was cold and the river had frozen over. Waiting out the winter at Fort Mandan it is here, where Lewis and Clark learned more about anim al species, and about the geography and area of the west. In the Mandan Village, around December, Lewis and Clark meet Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife the now, well-known name Sacagawea who would end up joining them on their journey after leaving the Mandan villages and the fort. Soon