Return Home Day for Lewis and Clark, September 23, 1806

Photo: “The Captains’ Return,” by Harry Weber, St. Louis Riverfront. Dedicated September 23, 2006.  Shutterstock.

Home at last!

William Clark wrote in his Tuesday, September 23, 1806 entry, “we Suffered the party to fire off their pieces as a Salute to the Town. We were met by all the village and received a harty welcom from it’s inhabitants…”

John Ordway wrote, “…about 12 oClock we arrived in Site of St. Louis fired three Rounds as we approached the Town and landed oppocit the center of the Town, the people gathred on the Shore and Huzzared three cheers.”

Later that day, Capitan Lewis wrote to President Jefferson: “It is with pleasure that I anounce to you the safe arrival of myself and party.... In obedience to your orders we have penitrated the Continent of North America to the Pacific Ocean, and sufficiently explored the interior of the country to affirm with confidence that we have discovered the most practicable rout which dose exist across the continent by means of the navigable branches of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers.”

Congratulations to the Corps of Discovery!
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!