Posted on 08/20/2004 11:00:41 AM PDT by socal_parrot
On August 20, 1804, the Corps of Discovery, led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, found themselves near present day Sioux City, Iowa. The Corps was just over three months into their journey and had paddled, pushed and pulled their small flotilla of boats over 500 miles up the Missouri River.
Since their departure from St. Louis on May 14, the Corps had traveled further up the Missouri than any other American. They celebrated the first Fourth of July west of the Mississippi near today’s Fort Leavenworth, Kansas by firing their cannon and issuing an extra ration of whiskey to the men. They had their first successful meeting with Plains Indians, the Otoes, near present day Council Bluffs, Iowa. Captain Lewis had also cataloged many plant and animal species that were previously unknown.
It was on August 20, two hundred years ago today, that the Corps faced its first tragedy and only fatality, the death of Sergeant Charles Floyd. The first death of an American soldier west of the Mississippi River.
Sgt. Floyd was a 22-year-old Kentuckian whom Captain Clark called “a man of much merit”. He was a cousin of another expedition member, Sgt. Nathaniel Pryor. As was ordered of all of the Sergeants on the journey, Floyd had kept a daily journal of the trip until August 18, when he fell too ill to continue writing. He was complaining of extreme stomach pains and nothing Lewis did relieved the symptoms. On the 20th, Floyd died of what Lewis called “Biliose Chorlick”, what medical historians actually believe was a ruptured appendix. Clark recorded it in his journal of August 20-
“Sergeant Floyd much weaker and no better...Floyd as bad as he can be no pulse & nothing will stay a moment on his Stomach or bowels. Floyd Died with a great deal of Composure, before his death he Said to me, ‘I am going away I want you to write me a letter.’ We buried him on the top of the bluff. 1/2 Mile below [is] a Small river to which we Gave his name, He was buried with the Honors of War much lamented, a Seeder post with the Name Sergt. C. Floyd died here 20th of august 1804 was fixed at the head of his grave. This Man at all times gave us proofs of his firmness and Determined resolution to doe Service to his Countrey and honor to himself. after paying all the honor to our Decesed brother we camped in the Mouth of floyds River about 30 yards wide, a butiful evening”
Sergeant Charles Floyd was buried with full Military Honors on a hill overlooking the Missouri River which Lewis and Clark named Floyds Bluff. After the burial, the Corps pressed on into Sioux Country. Two days later, the elected Floyds replacement, Patrick Gass. On their return trip, the Corps stopped at the site to pay their respects and found that Indians had disturbed the grave. The Corps restored the grave and moved on.
Over the next several decades, Sgt. Floyd’s grave became a landmark to those traveling up and down the Missouri River. His remains were moved twice on the bluff due to floods and souvenir hunters. On August 20, 1900, Sgt. Floyds remains were reburied for a final time. The next year a monument, complete with a 100 foot tall obelisk, was dedicated on Memorial Day. The obelisk is second in height in the USA only to the Washington Monument.
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Resources-
Lewis and Clark Trail Bicentennial
Lewis and Clark virtual exhibit from the Smithsonian
Previous Lewis and Clark Threads on Free Republic
Undaunted Courage bump! I could read about the Corp of Discovery ad infinitum. Thanks!
I read Undaunted Courage last year and am currently reading a history of the expedition from a medical stand point.
Great book. If you're in the medical field, please go easy on the "Dr. Rush's Pills!"
This is not intended to demean Sgt. Floyd’s contributions to discovery, but this statement is incorrect.
The obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker is 221 feet high.
Good article. Worth reading and knowing.
You mean PBS was wrong? They must have gotten their information from the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce. My only thought is that it could've the 2nd tallest at the time it was dedicated.
My roots are here in Lewis and Clark country, having been born in Omaha. I have traveled the length of their journey many times, and lived some years in the Great Northwest.
I have lived a large fraction of my life very near where Sgt. Floyd is buried, and as of a couple of days ago have found myself living in Woodbury County, Iowa, where his grave is located, once again.
Their story never fails to inspire me, and the sight of Floyd's final resting place always serves to remind me of that historic trip.
Where would America be without Thomas Jefferson's foresight, and without the heroic courage of the Corps of Discovery?
I traveled the Lewis and Clark Trail last year. The Floyd Monument is very impressive, as was the new intrepretive center next to the river. The other cool Lewis and Clark site in Iowa is the new monument in Council Bluffs.
I haven't been there yet. I've been in and out of CB a bunch of times in recent months, but have been too busy to do it. I'll have to find the time soon.
I'm a huge fan of the Lewis and Clark expedition and would love to follow the route someday. By the way his replacement, Sgt Gass, lived the longest of any member of the expedition dying on April 2, 1870, at age 99.
The route in Montana and Idaho is amazing.
When a person stops and thinks about the country they opened up, from St. Louis to the Oregon coast, it's mind-boggling.
Thanks. It was great. Although it would have been nice to see a Keel Boat or two along the way. ;)
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