Engagés on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photo:  Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

The red pirogue was sometimes referred to as the “French pirogue” because when the Corps of Discovery departed in May 1804 from Camp River Dubois, it was filled with French hired boatmen, or engagés.

The exact number of engagés and their names isn’t completely clear because of variances between Captain Clark’s field notes (shown) and the detachment orders of May 26.

We do know that Jean Baptiste Deschamps was listed as the “patroon, “ or foreman of the group, according to Gary Moulton’s notes in volume 2 of “The Definitive Journals of Lewis and Clark.” Little is known about Deschamps, other than he was probably one of the most experienced French boatmen. It’s thought that he may have been living in the St. Charles area as early as 1792.