September 4, 1806
They arrived at the grave of Sergeant Charles Floyd. It had
been disturbed and left only half covered. They completely covered
the grave before moving on. On the 6th September they met another
trader. They purchased a gallon of whiskey and gave a dram to
each man. On 9th September William Clark wrote in his journal
that Meriwether Lewis had made a complete recovery from his
wound, and that the expedition members were becoming increasingly
anxious to get to their country and friends.
The expedition passed several more traders including Joseph
Gravelines who had previously acted as interpreter and had been
sent back to President Jefferson with an Arikara Chief. Unfortunately
the Chief had died while in Washington, and Gravelines was returning
to the Arikaras with a speech and some gifts from the President.
He had also been instructed to enquire about Lewis and Clark.
To their great relief, the Corps of Discovery were no longer
plagued by the mosqitoes that had been so abundant in the upper
parts of the rivers.
September
17, 1806
Lewis and Clark met with a Robert McClellan on the 12th September
and a John McClellan on the 17th. One of these men informed
them that the American public had given them up for dead and
that they were all but forgotten, although the President had
not yet given up hope. Sergeant Ordway recorded in his journal
on the 12th that it was Robert McClellan, while William Clark
recorded in his journal on the 17th that it was John McClellan.
September
21, 1806
The party arrived at St. Charles, Missouri. They were met by
a large number of the inhabitants who were delighted to see
them. They were invited to the homes of several of the people.
September 23, 1806
The Corps of Discovery
finally landed in St. Louis, Missouri having been gone for 2
years, 4 months and 10 days.
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