“ After wintering on the coast, they started on their return, March 23, 1806, and arrived at Saint Louis September 23, 1806, having traveled altogether a distance of almost 8500 miles. At times the explorers suffered terrible hardships, and from April, 1805, to August, 1806, were shut off from all communication with the world. Lewis and Clark collected a mass of valuable information concerning the physical characteristics, the fauna and flora, the climate, and the various Indian tribes of the territory traversed. ”

“ The three forks of the Missouri River were discovered on July 25th, and named Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin. The party proceeded up the Jefferson; crossed the Rocky Mountains in September; started down the Columbia River on October 16th; and on November 7th came in sight of the Pacific Ocean. ”

“ As at first organized the party consisted of 29 members: Lewis and Clark, 14 regular United States soldiers, 9 Kentuckians who had vohmteered. 2 French watermen, an interpreter and hunter, and a negro servant. At Saint Louis sixteen additional men were enlisted for the enterprise, to go, however, only part of the way. The party started from the vicinity of Saint Louis, Mo., on May 14, 1804; passed up the Missouri River; reached the mouth of the Platte on July 26th; arrived at the camps of the Mandans and Minnetarees, about 1000 miles distant from Saint Louis, late in October; wintered there ”