_Captain Meriwether Lewis_
(The Long Knife)
Born August 18, 1774, of Scotch ancestry, on the Ivy Creek plantation
near Charlottesville, Albemarle Co., Virginia, and three miles from
Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson.
Father――William Lewis.
Mother――Lucy Meriwether.
Having fought bravely through the Revolution, after the successful
siege of Yorktown ending the war, his father dies, in 1782.
In due time his mother marries a friend of the family, Captain John
Marks, and removes to Georgia.
Little Meriwether is reared, with his brother Reuben and his sister
Jane, younger than he, at Locust Hill, the family home, and also
spends much time at “The Farm,” of his uncle Nicholas Lewis, adjoining
Monticello.
A lad of bold spirit, at eight years of age he is accustomed to sally
forth alone with his dogs, at night, and hunt.
At thirteen, is placed in a Latin school, under Parson Maury, to study.
At eighteen, in 1792, he volunteers to Thomas Jefferson, then
President Washington’s Secretary of State, to explore up the Missouri
River to the Pacific Coast for the American Philosophical Society. A
distinguished scientist, André Michaux, is selected, but the plan is
given up.
At twenty, volunteers in the militia, at the call of President
Washington for troops to put down the Whiskey Rebellion in Western
Pennsylvania. Is soon commissioned a lieutenant in the regular army.
At twenty-three, commissioned captain.
At twenty-seven, in 1801, is appointed by President Jefferson his
private secretary.
At twenty-nine, in 1803, is appointed by the president to head the
government exploring expedition up the Missouri River and on across to
the Pacific Ocean.
Leaves Washington July 5, 1803.
1804—1805—1806 is engaged in the exploration. The Indians name him the
Long Knife.
1807, appointed governor of Louisiana Territory, with headquarters in
St. Louis.
October 10, 1809, on his way by horse from St. Louis to Washington,
while at a settler’s cabin in present Lewis Co., Tennessee, 72 miles
southwest of Nashville, he is shot, either by himself or by an
assassin, and dies the next day, October 11. He is there buried. A
monument has been erected over his grave.
_Captain William Clark_
(The Red Head)
Born August 1, 1770, in Caroline Co., tide-water Virginia.
Father――John Clark, of old Virginia Cavalier stock.
Mother――Ann Rogers, descendant of John Rogers, the “Martyr of
Smithfield” burned at the stake in 1555, in England, for his religious
beliefs.
William is the ninth of ten children, two others of whom have red hair.
Five of his brothers enlist in the Revolution. One of these was the
famous General George Rogers Clark, the “Hannibal of the West,” who
saved Kentucky and the Ohio country from the British and Indians.
The Clarks and the Lewises are well acquainted. George Rogers Clark was
born at Charlottesville, and members of the Clark family frequently
ride over there.
Little William early shows a love for frontier life.
After the close of the Revolution the Clarks remove, by horse and
wagon, from Caroline Co., Virginia, to Western Kentucky, and establish
themselves in a stockade and blockhouse overlooking the Ohio River,
three miles below Louisville, then known as the Falls of the Ohio;
Mulberry Hill, the new home is christened.
Young William wears buckskins and moccasins, shoots deer and buffalo,
takes many trips with the famous Kentucky frontiersmen, and has for
friend and teacher Daniel Boone.
In 1788, at seventeen years of age, he is commissioned ensign in the
regular army.
Accompanies his brother, General George Rogers Clark, on the campaign
to prevent the Indians from keeping the whites east of the Ohio River,
and the Spaniards from closing the Mississippi to American commerce.
1790, acts as captain of militia.
In 1791 is commissioned first lieutenant, Fourth Sub-Legion of the
army. Serves under “Mad Anthony” Wayne against the Indians in Ohio.
Leads a charge at the battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794, where
the celebrated chief Tecumseh is defeated.
Because of ill health, he retires from military service, in 1796, and
lives at Mulberry Hill, to help his brother, the general, in business
matters.
In July, 1803, accepts an offer from his friend and fellow officer,
Captain Meriwether Lewis, requesting his company and assistance on
an exploring trip up the Missouri River, through the Province of
Louisiana, for the Government.
Is commissioned by President Jefferson second lieutenant of artillerists.
In October, 1803, he leaves with part of the expedition for St. Louis.
1804—1805—1806 is engaged in exploring to the Pacific Ocean and back.
The Indians name him the Red Head.
1806, resigns his commission in the army.
1807, appointed by President Jefferson brigadier-general of the militia
of Louisiana Territory and Indian agent for the Territory. Is very
popular with the Indians, who revere his justness and honesty.
In 1808 marries Julia Hancock.
In 1813 is appointed governor of the Territory of Missouri.
In 1821 marries Harriet Kennerly-Radford, but is defeated in his
candidacy for the governorship of the new State of Missouri.
1822, appointed by President Madison superintendent of Indian Affairs,
an office which he holds until he dies.
1824 is appointed surveyor-general of Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Territory.
Dies September 1, 1838, at St. Louis, his long-time home, aged 68
years.