August 18, 1774… Birth date of Meriwether Lewis.
Meriwether Lewis, soldier, explorer, and governor of the Louisiana Territory, was born, August 18, 1774, near Charlottesville, Virginia. Educated mainly by private tutors, he left school at the age of 18 and gained his first military experience as a volunteer with the troops sent out by George Washington to quell the “Whiskey Rebellion” in 1794. He entered the United States regular army in 1795, became an ensign, May 1, 1795, a Lieutenant, March 3, 1799, and a captain, December 5, 1800. From 1801-1803, Lewis was private secretary to President Thomas Jefferson, who was personally much attached to him.
Although plans were under way for some time, not until final cession of the vast territory of Louisiana to the United States was announced did Jefferson's long-cherished project for the exploration of the northwest by the Missouri River become an established fact. He had already planned the expedition, but now it became possible for the party to travel through American territory. He commissioned Lewis commander of the expedition with Captain William Clark assistant. The expedition left St. Louis in May 1804, bound for the sources of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. For 2 years and 4 months the little band braved the dangers and privations of the wilderness, returning to St. Louis in the autumn of 1806. To all the men connected with the expedition, Congress made land grants in recognition of their services. Lewis, shortly after his return to St. Louis, was made governor of the Louisiana Territory, a position he filled with ability and distinction.
While on his way to Washington in 1809, Lewis became ill. On the night of October 11, 1809, he stopped at the house of a settler near Nashville, Tennessee, and died there that night. In 1848 in Lewis County, Tennessee, which was named in his honor, the general assembly of that state erected a monument to Lewis's memory. Lewis County, Missouri was also named in his honor.
Memorandum from Meriwether Lewis to William Clark from the William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, Memorandum Book, 1809 (C1076) For primary source material see…