Together In Joy: How the Lewis and Clark Expedition Celebrated the Holidays

Earth lodge at Knife River National Historic Site. The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1804 with the Mandan.

How do you celebrate? With food? Good company? Gift giving? All of the above? There are as many ways to celebrate as there are people in the world, and that has been true since the appearance of mankind. Most of the journey was constant movement and backbreaking labor, however the members of the Corps of Discovery did find time to relax and make merry. You’ll likely recognize and partake in some of their traditions.

Expedition Sergeant John Ordway wrote delightful insights into the 1804 and 1805 Christmas holidays. In December, 1804 at the Knife River Indian Villages in modern day North Dakota Ordway penned:

December 25, 1804

we fired the Swivels at day break & each man fired one round. our officers Gave the party a drink of Taffee. we had the Best to eat that could be had, & continued firing dancing & frolicking dureing the whole day… we enjoyed a merry cristmas dureing the day & evening untill nine oClock—all in peace & quietness.

December of 1805 was not nearly as pleasant for the Corps of Discovery, however they enjoyed the holiday together. Ordway wrote:

December 25, 1805

rainy & wet. disagreeable weather. we all moved in to our new Fort, which our officers name Fort Clotsop after the name of the Clotsop nation of Indians who live nearest to us. the party Saluted our officers by each man firing a gun at their quarters at day break this morning. they divided out the last of their tobacco among the men that used and the rest they gave each a Silk hankerchief, as a Christmast gift, to keep us in remembrence of it as we have no ardent Spirits, but are all in good health which we esteem more than all the ardent Spirits in the world. we have nothing to eat but poore Elk meat and no Salt to Season that with but Still keep in good Spirits as we expect this to be the last winter that we will have to pass in this way.—

No matter the external circumstances, the Corps of Discovery took the time to celebrate holiday traditions together. They feasted, partook in good drink, danced, gave presents, and most importantly, enjoyed each other’s company. May our holiday season with our friends and family be just as joyful!