Beyond Lewis and Clark - Sacagawea

The Army Explores The West

Sacagawea. Image courtesy of Michael Haynes,
www.mhaynesart.com.

Sacagawea (c. 1788-1812)

Sacagawea, a young Shoshone woman, was a guide and interpreter for the Corps of Discovery. She joined the expedition at Fort Mandan in 1805 when captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark hired her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, as an interpreter. Sacagawea’s name translates to “Bird Woman.” She was the only female member of the expedition, just 15 years old when she joined the group.

Sacagawea joined the expedition at Fort Mandan (North Dakota) in 1805 and parted from the Corps of Discovery at that same location in 1806, on their return journey.

Corps of Discovery route, 1804-1806.

Beyond Lewis and Clark is an online exhibit developed by the Kansas Museum of History. It is the result of a partnership between the Kansas Historical Society, the Virginia and Washington State historical societies, the U. S. Army's Frontier Army Museum at Leavenworth, and the U. S. Army Center of Military History.

Contact us at kshs.kansasmuseum@ks.gov