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"The Expedition" is a handsigned limited edition print and is the first in a series of three Lewis & Clark prints by artist, Gary P Miller published by Gary's Gallery.
"The Expedition II" - The Hunt, 1805
"The Expedition II" is a handsigned limited edition print and
is the second in a series of three Lewis & Clark prints by artist, Gary
P Miller published by Gary's Gallery.
"The Expedition III" - Campsite 1805 "The Expedition III" is a handsigned limited edition print and
is the third in a series of three Lewis & Clark prints by artist, Gary
P Miller published by Gary's Gallery.
© 2008 Gary's Gallery
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The
time is early April, 1805 and the place is Fort Mandan, near
present-day Washburn, ND, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition
has just finished spending the winter with the Mandan and Hidatsa
Indians living along the Missouri
River. They have enjoyed the hospitality of their Native
hosts, forming friendships they will remember the rest of
their lives. Sacagawea has given
birth to a baby boy at the Fort in February, and will now
accompany the Corps of Discovery in its westward trek, in
search of a water passageway
to the Pacific Ocean. They have very little idea of what
lies ahead of them. Captains Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark are shown making final preparations
for the keelboat's return to St. Louis and on to Washington,
D.C. and President Jefferson, with the news that the Expedition
continues!
During the winter of 1804-1805, the members
of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
relied heavily on a diet of buffalo meat, along with Mandan
corn, squash and other foods, gained by trading with
their Native neighbors. The men
of the Expedition joined with tribal members on buffalo hunts,
learning very quickly that shooting these shaggy
plains creatures was far different
from a typical hunt back in Virginia or Kentucky. This scene,
not far from Fort Mandan, along the Missouri River,
was a welcome sight to hungry men,
who still had a long day ahead of them.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition left Fort Mandan on April 7, 1805, continuing
the journey up the Missouri River, into areas far more unknown. It's time to
make camp, and while the Captains and men tend to the business of settling in
for the night, Sakakawea comforts her two-month old baby, Jean Baptiste, before
assuming the rest of her duties. As the Voyage of Discovery continues, her value
to the Expedition will increase daily, as she proves to the Captains the wisdom
of including her on their westward trek. In addidtion to foraging when food was
scarce and saving valuable instruments and journals when a boat capsized in the
river, Sakakawea most importantly served as the Expedition's symbol of "peace
and friendship." 