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Undaunted Courage
Adam,
Stephen P. Ambrose wrote "Undaunted Courage" about the exploits of Lewis and Clark. I have read it several times. There are a few things that are marvels regarding the expedition.
-only one man died, Sgt. Floyd of appendicitis
-the oldest survivor was Sgt. Gass from Pennsylvania who lived to be 99 years old and died in 1870. Incidentally, at age 60 he married the "daughter of a judge" and they had seven children
-Sacagawea's role was to show the native people that the Corp of Discovery was not a war party because war parties did not include women. She was twelve when captured by Hidatsa Indians and was not familiar with the land to the west
-Old Toby really saved the expedition and got them over the Bitteroot Mountains and he is now lost to history
-Finally, after the expedition was over, the careers of Lewis and Clark went different ways. Clark became governor of the territory, married well and prospered. Lewis sank into a deep depression and probably committed suicide.
All the best...
Gil
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