Lewis and Clark in North Dakota
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Building Fort Mandan

November 3, 1804 - Construction begins on Fort Mandan under the direction of Sgt. Gass, a skilled carpenter, where the Corps of Discovery encamped for the winter of 1804/1805. The next day they met Toussaint Charbonneau, accompanied by his pregnant wife, Sacagawea, who sought to join the expedition as an interpreter.

Clark wrote about the construction in his journal:

"4th. November Sunday 1804 - a fine morning we continud to cut Down trees and raise our houses, a Mr. Chaubonie, interpeter for the Gross Ventre nation Came to See us, and informed that the came Down with Several Inidans from a hunting expidition up the river, to here what we had told the Indians in Council this man wished to hire as an interpiter"

"20th. November Tuesday 1804 - Cap Lewis & my Self move into our hut, a verry hard wind from the W. all the after part of the day a temperate day Several Indians came Down to Eat fresh meat, three Chiefs from the 2d. Mandan Village Stay all Day, they are verry Curious in examining our works."

This woodcut in the
first illustrated account of the
Lewis & Clark expedition shows
the construction of Fort Mandan.
Captain Clark and his Men
building a line of Huts

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