Getting Acquainted with the Lewis and Clark Journals
It is through the journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition that
we know of the successes and the hardships of the Corps of Discovery
from 1803-1806.
Because these words were written 200 years ago, we have to take the
time to become familiar with the status of American English at that
time and the writing styles of the different authors. We can also
make the connections of selected journal quotes to our lives today.
From the Journals of Lewis and Clark
"on the ... shore at the commencement of
the big bend observed a clift of black porus rock which resembled
Lava tho' on a closer examination I believe it to be a calcarious
and an imperfect species ... preserved a specemine, it is a brownish
white, or black or yellow-ish brown ---" Lewis,
20 September 1804
"at half past one oClock this morning the
Sandbar on which we Camped began to under mind and give way which
allarmed the Sergeant on Guard, the motion of the boat awakened me;
I get up & by the light of the moon observed that the land had
given away;; both above and below our Camp and was falling in fast.
I ordered all hands on as quick as possible & pushed off, we had
pushed off but a few minets before the bank under which the Boat &
perogus lay give way, which would Certainly have Sunk both Perogues,
by the time we made the opsd. Shore our Camp fell in, we made a 2d
Camp for the remainder of the night & at Daylight proceeded on
the Gouge of this Great bend and Brackfast." Clark,
21 September 1804
Making Connections
1. Have the students read the above quotes and
a. Underline any word which is not spelled correctly.
Add each spelling word to their "Spelling Page" in their
own journals, and give the preferred spelling.
b. Circle words or phrases which are unclear.
• When you learn the meaning, add it to the glossary.
• In this way students are making their own Corps of Discovery
vocabulary.
• Some of the words and phrases may not be used today. Add the
present day equivalent as we would use it.
2. Students will compare their stories with their classmates, discuss
the meaning, and help each other better understand what happened in
the journals.
3. Write a group story which best reflects your own wording about
the quotes from your group's handouts. Tell the story to the
class.
