Lewis & Clark: The Epic Journey Begins

In the Spring of 1803, the United States acquired the Territory of Louisiana, a largely uncharted tract of wilderness stretching from Canada all the way down to New Orleans, over 800,000 square miles that, as the maps were concerned, remained a mystery. President Thomas Jefferson ordered an expedition to explore Louisiana west to the Pacific Ocean to understand this new purchase better. Tasked with leading this endeavor – officially known as the Corp of Discovery – were Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The Corp of Discovery was to travel some 8,000 miles, navigating their way up the Missouri River before turning west and crossing the Rocky Mountains. If everything went as planned, they’d locate an all-water route linking the Missouri to the Pacific and return to civilization as heroes. Sounds great in theory, but would Lewis and Clark be able to pull it off? Who exactly were Lewis and Clark? What exactly was the Louisiana Purchase? How’d they choose the men who would accompany them on the expedition? What sort of supplies would Lewis and Clark bring on the expedition? Is it true that Lewis and Clark were searching for wooly mammoths? And were they really the first to explore these new lands? #wildwest #history #ushistory

[outdoorloser]

I wish Lewis and Clark would lead another expedition back to Washington DC and trade some beads for a little basic adult level sanity.

[optimusdimegatron]

history is interesting in itself...only you make it MORE interesting, thank you

[scottmcley]

Had family in Virginia in 1765. It's hard to imagine being a horse ride away from Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Merriweather Lewis.
My great grandfather x5 moved from Virginia to Missouri and died there in 1830. He must've paid close attention to the Corps of Discovery.

[chipmusick]

I've always enjoyed your sense of humor but the Hank Williams Sr. comment made me a fan for life!!! Great work Josh!!!

[wj]

I feel like it’s been forever. It’s always worth the wait. Thanks Josh

[sjTHEfirst]

Thanks for covering this important event in our history. I’ve been a L&C fan most of my life. I’ve been to many L&C sites. From Lemhi Pass to Pompey’s Pillar. From Grinder’s Stand to Fort Mandan.

[haroldvoss]

I was beginning to wonder about ya.. Aint heard from ya here in 3 weeks.. Glad you back man !!!

[rustyshackleford]

Lewis and Clark High School Alum. One side of my fam led wagon trains to the Willamette Valley in the 1850s, settled, and are still wheat farmers. The other side had one 14 year old son, (great grandfather x4) leave NC in 1863. Then he settled in the Cascades, ranched and had a dairy we ran until 2016.
*Undaunted Courage and the Journals of L.C. are the best books on them. Seaman, was the bestest boy ever. People who put an R in Washington know what the R stands for as a reflection upon themselves

[Rollin_L]

I like the tale you told of Colter's fate and the tie in with the Bush family and Skull and Bones. Such great diversion from the real history makes your channel so enjoyable. While totally made up, it's the kind of story one almost wishes were true, lol. It definitely adds to the entertainment value!

[fatherofmimes]

Awesome upload!! The feats of the corp of discovery are staggering when said out loud. Listening from work again, thanks Josh for making my day a bit more tolerable. Always fun and funny, great deal of education... I can't quit smiling, picturing these folks on a float trip!

[GlacialErratic]

Heads up Josh. There are several ways to pronounce and spell Sakakawea. I live and grew up 20 miles from where L&C joined up with her. Her name and the lake named for her is pronounced Sak kak a wee ah.
Anyone who wants to insert a J or G can bite it. There is one acceptable alternative and that is Saka ga wee ah (ga pronounced like god, without the d). Spelling of which varies greatly.
She was a major part of the corp of discovery and had a very hard and storied life. She unfortunately faded into obscurity and (last I heard) nobody could say with certainty where she lived out her life or the location of her grave. She is much loved around here and greatly respected.

Thank you for doing this series! I love your channel.

[BALOYBEACHBUM]

There journal is day to day, we use to read it around camp fires in Montana, well worth the read!

[MrKedab]

Love your channel. Funny and factual. Appreciate you.

[johnnieplageman]

Congratulations sir on over 50000 subscribers!!

[amandabrown]

This takes me back to the days of dying from dysentery on the Oregon Trail! Good times, good times 😂 I love history, and I love it even more when it's presented in a way that makes me laugh! Keep it up Josh!

[richardlincoln]

Looking forward to hearing the episodes on one of my favorite subjects. Thanks for sharing Your time and efforts Josh. Best Wishes to You and Your Family.

[sarimento]

Bravo! As a mild L&C junkie, I was both entertained and informed by Josh’s unabashed style! Look fwd to future episodes!

[WEHenry]

Looking forward to the rest of them Mr. Josh and your editing👍

[nathanielgreer]

I was just listening to The Casual Criminalist and they gave you a mention at the end of the Bonnie and Clyde episode. I am sure you know this already but it reminded that I haven’t listened to you for a minute. Time to get caught up.

[oregonoutback]

Oh Boy, this is going to be a good one, Josh. My great grandmother was a Pryor and descendent of Nathanial Pryor. I have studied the L&C expedition a good bit, but already learning things I didn't know, just in one episode. I'm excited. Thanks.