William Clark – Co-Leader of the Corps of Discovery
William Clark stands as a pivotal figure in American history, inextricably linked to the exploration and expansion of the United States. He was a multifaceted individual – an explorer, a soldier, an Indian agent, and a territorial governor – whose contributions helped shape the nation’s early development. His name is forever entwined with that of Meriwether Lewis as co-leader of the famed Corps of Discovery Expedition, a monumental undertaking that charted the vast, newly acquired Louisiana Purchase from 1804 to 1806. This article delves into the life and legacy of William Clark, exploring his early years, military service, his crucial role in the expedition, and his subsequent career as a prominent figure in the American West.
Born on August 1, 1770, in Caroline County, Virginia, William Clark was the ninth of ten children born to John Clark III and Ann Rogers. His family were common planters, occupying a modest social and economic position. Unlike many of his contemporaries from wealthier backgrounds, Clark received no formal education. Instead, he was educated at home. This lack of formal schooling would later make him self-conscious about his grammar and inconsistent spelling, traits that are evident in his journals and correspondence. Despite this, Clark’s upbringing instilled in him the practical skills and resilience that would serve him well throughout his life.
The Clark family’s history was deeply intertwined with the burgeoning American nation. Five of William Clark‘s older brothers actively participated in the American Revolutionary War, fighting for the independence of the colonies. His eldest brother, Jonathan Clark, distinguished himself as a colonel and later rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Virginia Militia. Perhaps the most notable of his siblings was George Rogers Clark, who achieved the rank of general and spent much of the war in Kentucky, leading campaigns against British-allied American Indian tribes. These familial experiences instilled in William Clark a sense of patriotism and a familiarity with military life, setting the stage for his own future service.
In March 1785, when William was fifteen years old, the Clark family made a significant move, relocating to Kentucky and settling near Louisville. This move marked a turning point in William Clark‘s life, exposing him to the challenges and opportunities of the frontier. His older brother, George Rogers Clark, played a crucial role in his development, imparting invaluable wilderness survival skills that would prove essential in his later explorations. This hands-on training in navigating the wilderness, hunting, and interacting with Native American tribes provided Clark with a unique skillset that would set him apart.
William Clark‘s military career began in 1789 when he enlisted in the army and was stationed in the Ohio Valley. His primary duty was to protect the fledgling Kentucky settlements from attacks by Native American tribes. This period of service provided him with practical experience in military tactics and leadership. In 1791, he participated in the Battle of the Wabash, a conflict fought under the command of General Charles Scott in present-day Ohio, as part of the broader Northwest Indian War. This battle proved to be a harrowing experience, resulting in a devastating defeat for the United States Army, marked by a high percentage of casualties. Clark was fortunate to survive this encounter, which also represented the most significant victory ever achieved by American Indians against the U.S. Army.
Four years later, Clark was transferred to General Anthony Wayne’s unit and promoted to Lieutenant, assuming command of the fourth brigade. It was during this period that he first encountered Meriwether Lewis, who was placed under Clark’s command. The two men quickly developed a deep friendship and mutual respect, recognizing each other’s strengths and capabilities. After serving in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, a tax revolt in western Pennsylvania, Clark left the Army and returned to his family. Upon his father’s death, Clark inherited a substantial amount of land and several slaves, including a man named York, whom Clark had known since childhood. During this time, Clark also met and married Julia Hancock, further solidifying his ties to the community.
Meanwhile, Meriwether Lewis continued his military career and eventually served as President Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary. In mid-1803, after Congress approved a wilderness expedition that had been a long-held ambition of Lewis’s, William received an invitation from Lewis to co-captain the expedition. Clark eagerly accepted, bringing along his childhood friend and slave, York. Despite the understanding between Lewis and Clark that they would share the captaincy, official word arrived shortly before their departure from St. Louis, Missouri, indicating that Clark would remain a lieutenant. However, the men of the Corps of Discovery, who had already spent a winter addressing Clark as "Captain," were never informed of this discrepancy, maintaining the perception of shared leadership.
For the next three years, Lewis and Clark led their men through the vast, uncharted territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. William Clark‘s contributions to the expedition were invaluable and went far beyond his official rank. He demonstrated exceptional leadership, resourcefulness, and cartographic skills. The map he created as they traveled was, at the time, the most accurate representation of the trans-Missouri West. Furthermore, his calm and steady personality served as a counterbalance to Lewis’s occasional moodiness. When Lewis’s journal entries became infrequent, Clark’s straightforward and detailed writing filled the gap, ensuring a comprehensive record of the expedition’s progress.
William Clark also left a lasting physical mark on the landscape. On July 25, 1806, he inscribed his signature into a sandstone formation along the Yellowstone River in Montana. In his journal, Clark described the event, noting the extensive view from the rock and his decision to mark his name and the date. He named the formation Pompey’s Tower, using a nickname he had given to Sacagawea’s son, Jean Baptiste, or Pomp. Today, the site, known as Pompeys Pillar, still bears Clark’s signature, believed to be the only remaining on-site physical evidence of the expedition.
After successfully traversing the continent, Clark returned to St. Louis and embarked on a successful career and family life. President Jefferson recognized his contributions to the expedition by awarding him 1,600 acres of land and appointing him brigadier general of militia for the Louisiana Territory and superintendent of Indian affairs. In addition to fathering seven children, William Clark also temporarily cared for Sacagawea’s son, Jean Baptiste. Following Lewis’s death, Clark completed the expedition’s work by overseeing the preparation of the journals for publication. His fair and diplomatic approach to relations with Native American tribes during his time as brigadier general and Superintendent of Indian Affairs paved the way for his appointment as governor of Missouri Territory, a position he held from 1813 to 1832.
William Clark died of natural causes in St. Louis on September 1, 1838, and was buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
In 2001, 163 years after his death, William Clark received a posthumous promotion from Lieutenant to Captain by President Clinton. This long-overdue recognition acknowledged the equal share Clark held in the leadership of the Corps of Discovery. The journey of 1803-1806, known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, would have been incomplete in spirit, if not in fact, without Clark’s indispensable contributions. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark shared equally in the tasks and responsibilities of their cross-continental journey, solidifying their place in history as true partners in exploration and discovery.