Members of the Corps

With a budget approved by Congress and a mastermind in Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on a fantastic adventure in 1804 to explore the uncharted, unknown American West for the U.S. government. Jefferson dubbed them the “Corps of Discovery.” The team documented the wildlife, plants, and geography of the region. During their four-year journey, they crossed thousands of miles and found critical support in native tribes like the Shoshone Indians and the young Sacagawea, the only woman to travel with them. As you view several images of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, consider who created these images, where they were published, and what purpose they might have served.

After the Expedition ended, the Corps of Expedition disbanded. Learn about the lives of several Corps members following the expedition, including John Ordway, Joseph Whitehouse, John Colter, Alexander Willard, Patrick Gass, and William Clark’s slave York.

Hear Corps member John Ordway’s journal entry from December 25, 1805, describing the harsh conditions at Fort Clatsop, on the south side of the Columbia River, near present-day Astoria, Oregon, where the Corps camped during the winter of 1805.

In this activity, students learn as much as they can about the role of York and his contributions to Lewis and Clark's exploration of the American West.

In this activity, students research and learn as much as they can about the role of Sacagawea and the contributions she made as she traveled with Lewis and Clark on their exploration of the American West.

Learn about the life of Captain William Clark, the red-haired co-captain of the Corps of Discovery with Meriwether Lewis. Their mission was to explore the uncharted American West, and for four years they would travel thousands of miles.

Learn about the life of Meriwether Lewis, whose mission with William Clark would chart the American West.

Learn about the life of Sergeant Patrick Gass, a member of Lewis and Clarks' Corps of Discovery expedition. Gass' notes and experiences helped to popularize the explorers time chartering the American West.