Little is know about my life until I enlisted into the military. I was well educated, and that helped me a great deal when it came to joining the Continental Army. I had most of my military training their and was later stationed at Fort Kaskaskia under Captain Russell Bissell. I later was transferred to Camp Dubois in Missouri where I, at the time, was in charge of 8 privates. I was always seeking new opportunities, and in 1804 at age 23 I was given the opportunity to join in an expedition that would be conducted by the army. …show more content…
I would cover for Lewis and Clark at times as commanding officer when they could not be available and would help keep order ( prevent the men from stealing, abandoning and rebellion). However my life was threatened with mutiny more than once by the the men due to my as my strict authority and oppressive manner. Lewis and Clark were confident in me to make sure they stayed in order and maintained the focus of the expedition. In addition to my leading the men. I also was given the task of documenting expedition in my Journal. My entries were the most extensive and documented the entire 863 days of the expedition. I kept very good records of my findings which would be later merged with Lewis and Clark’s …show more content…
But I had experience living in the wilderness. I helped navigate keelboats through the Missouri river and down the Maras river. There were many rapids and falls. Many times we had to carry our uniforms, baggage and canoes down dangers rocks and revines. In addition I noted in my journal that we were plagued by small flies and mosquitoes. Luckily nature was plentiful and provided us food for hunt. I documented the terrain, inhabitants, flora and fauna. During my travels we encountered Native American Indians, traded with some and learned about their tribes. I would right details of the encounters, Some were friendly, and we were able to establish diplomatic ties. The friendly tribes had also warned us of the unfriendly tribes, such as the Blackfeet warriors and the Lakota Sioux, of whom relied solely on hostile negotiations. The goal of this expedition was to unite the New territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific especially after the Louisiana purchase.
In 1806 we completed the expedition. After sailing back up the Maron river I was asked one more duty to accompany Lewis and Chief Sheheke as well as other tribal representative to Washington DC , where they were presented with Jefferson Peace Medals as a token of friendship.
My extensive note taking in my journal was combined with Lewis and Clarks to fill in any additional information and presented to the President, but somehow my journal was