Lewis and Clark Expedition Took Years of Planning

The saga of Lewis and Clark is much more than just a dramatic tale of two Army officers who trekked across the American continent. That tale began long before the first step of the journey took place and involved a lengthy period of detailed preparation by the officer in charge, Captain Meriwether Lewis, with the personal support and assistance of the President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Lewis had been charged by the President with paving the way westward for the future expansion of the newly independent United States. With little information available for detailed planning, the task before young Captain Lewis was indeed a daunting one. One can only imagine the dozens of issues, both large and small, which occupied Lewis? thoughts as he prepared to lead a squad of soldiers to the Pacific coast. Since Lewis did not leave extensive notes on his preparations, this process has not previously been discussed in detail.