 Discover
Lewis and Clark in the
Pierre/Ft. Pierre
Country
September 25, 1804, The
United States Corps of Discovery led by Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark reached the mouth of the Bad River in present day Ft. Pierre,
South Dakota, after traveling up the Missouri River from its confluence
with the Mississippi River. Lewis and Clark had arranged a meeting with
the Lakota or Teton Sioux. President Thomas Jefferson wanted Lewis and
Clark to establish good relations with the Teton Sioux; but the first
contact got off on a rocky start. The expedition had left behind its
best interpreter and the interpreter they had with them, communicated
poorly.
Lewis and Clark held a council with the Lakota leaders and then gave
them a tour of their keelboat and some of the mechanical devises they
had with them. When the Lakota learned that the expedition was to
proceed up the river to trade with the Arikara and Mandan tribes, they
became concerned and wanted more gifts or in their minds tribute for the
expedition to continue on its way. As Clark and some of his men were
returning the leaders to shore, the situation got out of hand. One of
the Lakota leaders wanted to seize one of the three boats that was part
of the expedition. A Lakota warrior grabbed hold of the mast and others
stood on shore taking hold of the mooring cable.
Clark drew his sword. The soldiers were at the ready with loaded and
cocked muskets. Soldiers on board the keelboat loaded a small cannon and
stood ready to light the fuse. The Lakota warriors notched their arrows
and stood ready to fire. Fortunately, Black Buffalo, one of the Lakota
leaders, realized it was not a win-win situation and called off the
warriors holding the cable and mast. He was the hero of the day, saving
everyone involved from a bloody conflict.
For the next few days, there was an uneasy peace between the Lakota and
the Corp of Discovery. There was feasting, speeches, gifts exchange, and
curiosity about each other’s culture. The expedition slowly moved
upriver and eventually left the Lakota behind as it continued to explore
upstream.
Today you can explore where the Corp of Discovery sailed. Visit Lily
Park at the mouth of the Bad River where the confrontation took place.
Explore either shore of the river by driving 1804 or 1806. Each road is
named for the year the expedition went up the river and then returned
down the river. If you are more adventurous or in need of a little
exercise take a walk along the river on the more than thirty miles of
the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail. If you want to get out onto the
Missouri River, take a ride on the Capital City Queen that has daily
excursions leaving from Steamboat Park in Pierre.
Don't miss the big event. The weekend of September 24-26, 2004, Pierre
and Ft. Pierre will celebrate the bicentennial of the Corps of
Discovery's arrival. Pierre will hold the Lewis and Clark Goosefest in
Steamboat Park and Ft. Pierre will hold the Bad River Gathering. Both
events will have arts and crafts, foods, and reenactments of the first
meeting between the Lakota and Corps of Discovery. There is plenty to
discover about the Lakota and Lewis and Clark in the Pierre/Ft. Pierre
Country.
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