| Sacagawea's Traveling Companions | |
Sacagawea, her husband Charbonneau, and her son, Jean Baptiste, traveled with expedition captains Lewis and Clark on their journey of discovery through the American northwest. Sacagawea was the only woman and the only Indian among the group of travelers. The rest of the expedition party was recruited when Lewis and Clark reached the journey's staging point at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers near St. Louis in December 1803. They camped for the winter at the mouth of Wood River, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, opposite the entrance to the Missouri River. The two captains recruited young woodsmen and enlisted soldiers who volunteered from nearby army outposts. Over the winter, final selections were made of proven men. In the spring, the expedition's roster comprised approximately 45 including some military personnel and local boatmen who would go only part way. The expeditions "permanent party" included Sacagawea and her family, as well as 31 others. Of there permanent members, only one individual died along the route. Although Sacagawea, her husband and son survived the journey, both Sacagawea and Jean Baptiste endured periods of grave illness while traveling. Lead the Expedition What if you had been the leader of the Corps of Discovery? How would you have handled the unexpected difficulties it encountered? Visit the PBS Lewis and Clark Expedition website and play the role of captain. Make difficult decisions, guide the expedition on its way west, and learn of the obstacles it encountered along the way. |
