This is the final episode in our epic series on Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. This episode deals with the people and events after the completion of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

First, take a look at the events in the immediate aftermath of the Corps return to St. Louis in 1806. We then touch base on the lives of some of the Corps members, followed by a summary of the careers of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. We finish things up with a look at the successes and failures of the Corps, as well as the legacy of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Resources

There are a lot of books and resources available about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, so I’m just going to note a few of my favorites.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by historian Stephan Ambrose is my favorite book about the expedition. It is heavy on Lewis – but still wonderful.

For hardcore fans, the Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition are available to read online, courtesy of University of Nebraska Press. Please note that the site is much more than just the journals. There are several respected books and a bunch of articles available as well – all free. It is an amazing resource.

One online site that features a lot of information is Discovering Lewis and Clark. There are lots and lots of articles about the Corps – all for free.

Don’t miss the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail website as well – if you decide you might want to travel part – or all – of the journey on your own.

Finally, the Wikipedia pages for the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Corps of Discovery have nice overviews of enterprise.

Painting by Charles M. Russel of the Lewis and Clark Expedition meeting the Salish Indians.

Images courtesy of Wikipedia.