Lewis, Clark, Charbonneau, and Sacagawea

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a significant exploration mission commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. The main objective was to explore and map the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, (bought from the French) find a practical route to the Pacific Ocean, and establish American presence and sovereignty in the region. The expedition played a crucial role in expanding the knowledge of the western territories of the United States.

Meriwether Lewis was the principal planner and the primary leader during the first leg of the journey. William Clark, a skilled frontiersman, and military officer was co-commander of the expedition and played a crucial role in the later stages.

Toussaint Charbonneau was a French-Canadian fur trader who played a significant role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was hired as an interpreter and guide due to his experience with various Native American tribes and his fluency in several indigenous languages.

Charbonneau was accompanied by his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, who was also crucial to the success of the expedition. Sacagawea played a vital role as a guide and translator. Her knowledge of the terrain and her diplomatic skills were instrumental in establishing friendly relations with the Native American tribes encountered during the journey.

Horses were an essential part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Corps of Discovery initially set out on their journey in May 1804 from St. Louis, Missouri, with a crew of around 40 men, including Lewis, Clark, Charbonneau, and other members. They traveled up the Missouri River using large keelboats and dugout canoes.

At certain points during their journey, the expedition had to carry their gear and canoes overland to bypass waterfalls and other obstacles on the rivers. To make these portages easier, they needed to obtain horses from the Native American tribes they encountered along the way. The horses were needed to carry the heavy loads and allow the expedition to cover more ground efficiently.

This is where Sacagawea became vital to the expedition. In the spring of 1804, she led them deep into the Rocky Mountain wilderness to the home of her Shoshone tribe. She had been stolen by a hostile tribe several years before and then purchased by Charbonneau to be his wife. She wondered if her loved ones would be alive or dead.

As they approached the village, Sacagawea saw a certain young Indian chief. She ran forward weeping. “You are my brother!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. What a reunion! What joy! How good to see him after so many years!

There will be lots of reunions like that in heaven. Children whose mothers died will see them again. Wives who lost their husbands will rush into their arms. Brothers and sisters will meet once more. Grandparents will be restored to their families. Oh, what a reunion that will be!

Loved ones will never have to part again. Revelation 21: 4 says, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death.” We will be with our family forever and nothing will ever make us sad again.

The Lewis and Clark expedition reached the Pacific by November 1805; it was Autumn. The end of their wilderness journey reminds me of the time when we shall press beyond the wilderness of sin, that this world is, and we shall rejoice on the shores of eternity.