James J. Holmberg - Into the Wilderness: The Lewis and Clark Expedition

NEW BOOKS FOR NEW READERS

Phyllis MacAdam, General Editor

The Lewis and Clark
Expedition

James J. Holmberg

THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY

Publication of this volume was made possible by
The Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc.

Copyright 2003 by The University Press of Kentucky

Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. Ali rights reserved.

Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008

07 06 05 04 5 4 3 2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Holmberg, James J. (James John), 1958

Into the wilderness : the Lewis and Clark Expedition / James J. Holmberg.

p. cm. (New books for new readers)

ISBN 0-8131-0913-2 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) 2. West (U.S.)Discovery and exploration. 3. West (U.S.)Description and travel. 4. Readers for new literates. I. Title. II. Series.

F592.7.H73 2003

917.8042dc21

2003012047

This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

This book is published as Kentucky joins the rest of the country in commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean, an astonishing journey that shaped our nation. This tale is a Kentucky story as well, for Kentucky was the West in 1800, and the brave Kentuckians who made the journey comprised nearly half of the men in the Corps of Discovery.

The Kentucky Humanities Council began New Books for New Readers because Kentuckys adult literacy students want books that recognize their intelligence and experience while meeting their need for simplicity in writing. The first twelve titles in the New Books for New Readers series have helped many adult students open the window on the wonderful world of literacy. At the same time, these New Books, with their plain language and compelling stories of Kentucky history and culture, have found a wider audience among accomplished readers of all ages who recognize a good story when they see one.

As we publish this thirteenth book in the series, we thank our authors and our readers, who together have proved that New Books and the humanities are for everyone. Through your efforts, we too, in the words of William Clark, will proceed on.

This volume was made possible by contributions from the Kentucky Humanities Councils Board of Directors and from many individuals all across the Commonwealth who financially support our mission. We especially recognize Martin F. Schmidt, who has steadfastly believed in this ongoing project.

We are grateful for the advice, support, and long partnership provided to us by the University of Kentucky and the University Press of Kentucky. The Council thanks all of our friends who share our commitment to the important role that reading books plays in the lives of the people of our Commonwealth. Homes without books are lives without hope.

Virginia G. Smith, Executive Director
Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc.

It was my pleasure to work with a number of people and institutions in writing Into the Wilderness. It is a better book because of their assistance and I thank them. This book never would have come about without the vision of Kentucky Humanities Council Executive Director Virginia Smith. She saw the opportunity to inform an important audience about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Kentuckys connection to it and recruited me to write about the adventure. Series editor Dr. Phyllis MacAdam was a pleasure to work with. Her editorial expertise and suggestions were invaluable.

The focus group, composed of students in the adult literacy and English as a Second Language programs at Ahrens Adult Education Center in Louisville, was a pleasure to work with. Led by instructors Diane Graybill and Peggy Bradley, the students read and discussed each chapter. They offered suggestions and asked questions. Our meetings often ranged over a variety of Lewis and Clark topics and extended to other aspects of American history. My thanks to Sharon Parker, Troy Thomas, LaShirl Reed, Melissa Robinson, Carla Robinson, Shirley Evans, Fred Hollis, Terri Murrell, Tina Coffey, James Hinkle, Charlene Martin, Timothy Pound, Kathryn Ross, Carrie Thomas, Demetrius Banks, Shatara Hargrove, Troy Ritchie, Jeffrey Belton, John Bube Jr., Kita Compton, Akbar Adeibparvar, Freda Austin, Kenneth Banks, Nerlande Tisoit, Guixia Wang, Tanita Wright, Jeff Zeng, and Lan Nhon. Another reviewer was my daughter, Emily Holmberg, and I thank her.

Thanks to The Filson Historical Society for providing many of the illustrations, and special thanks to Jennifer Cole and Rebecca Rice of The Filson for their assistance. My appreciation to Virginia Smith for the work she put into her sketches. Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, allowed us to reproduce the Bodmer engraving. Thanks to the Clymer Museum of Art for the cover illustration, Lewis and Clark in the Bitterroots by John F. Clymer, 1967. Thank you to Ed Hamilton for the image of his York statue. The Independence National Historical Park and the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation were, as ever, cooperative and a pleasure to work with.

Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail from The Falis of the Ohio near L Pacific Ocean (1803-1805).

Two hundred years ago the United States was a young nation. Its western border was the Mississippi River. Most Americans lived east of the Appalachian Mountains. The country west of the Mississippi was a mystery. What was out there? What was beyond their cities, towns, and farms?

In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson decided to find out. He sent the first official United States exploring party into this mysterious West. The group was named the Corps of Discovery. Its leaders were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. President Jefferson wanted them to find a route across western North America all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way they were ordered to explore the country, taking notes and collecting samples of plants, animals, and Indian life as they went.

Before they left, there was much planning and preparing to do. They selected 30 brave men to join them. The party included people of different cultures and different races. Most were white men, but one black man went on the trip. Several men were part American Indian. Half of the men were from Kentucky or had ties to Kentucky. During the expedition a young Indian woman and her baby joined the explorers. Lewiss large dog, Seaman, went on the journey. The group had to have the help of the Indians to succeed. Without their help, the explorers never would have reached the Pacific or returned safely.