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In
1804 one of the greatest expeditions in America's history left St. Louis, with President
Jefferson's orders to explore the land, flora, and fauna of the newly-acquired Louisiana
Purchase; to establish friendly relations with the native inhabitants of that vast
region; and to find a new water route to the Pacific Ocean! In 2003 America will
begin a four-year celebration of their most significant accomplishments in shaping
our nation's destiny.
When the Lewis & Clark Expedition arrived in this area, they came as close as
they would come to an abrupt and untimely end to their quest. On September 24, 1804
they anchored about 100 yards from the mouth of the Bad River, and on the site of
current-day Fort Pierre's Fischers Lilly Park, had
their first encounter with the great Lakota Nation. While there were tense moments
and shots were fired, the day concluded with a feast and celebration.
Clark's September 25th journal entry reads:
"It was a fine morning. We raised a flagstaff and awning, under which we assembled
at 12 o'clock, with all the party parading under arms."
Following the parade they held Council with Chief Black Buffalo and braves of the
Teton Lakota. About 70 men from the Expedition were hosted at a feast in the tribe's
buffalo-skinned council lodge. The meal, served on platters and eaten with horn
spoons, consisted of cooked dog, dried buffalo meat mixed with grease, and a dish
of ground potato. After the meal the festivities continued with a Teton dance.
Lewis and Clark's Expedition returned to St. Louis by way of the River in 1806,
having reached the Pacific Ocean. They succeeded in establishing contact with many
native Nations, and documented a wealth of hitherto unknown plant and animal species
- 178 plants and 122 species and sub-species of vertebrate animals. They described
the upper Missouri region as having streams swarming with beaver, grasslands covered
with large buffalo herds, and few, if any, trading forts. Today South Dakota highways
1804 and 1806 commemorate their journey.
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