Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Equipping the Expedition
Once named by President Thomas Jefferson to head the Corps of Discovery, Meriwether Lewis began preparations for the long trip ahead. Much of that preparation involved education: in the months prior to his departure, Lewis would learn astronomy, botany, navigation, medicine and biology, among other scientific disciplines. In addition, Lewis spent his time accumulating all the supplies that the expedition was going to need. He wrote list after list of provisions, which included guns, ammunitions, medical supplies, and scientific instruments. While still on the East Coast, Lewis accumulated almost two tons of goods using the $2,500 Congress had allocated for the expedition.

The following list is only a sampling of the supplies taken west by the Corps of Discovery, but should give a sense of what an undertaking the expedition was. These lists will be spread over three entries, please visit each one.

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