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Picture Gallery: Chamberlain, SD Signature Event -
"Oceti Sakowin"

Photo: The Missouri River inlet at Fort Pierre, South Dakota where Lewis and Clark were confronted by some of the chiefs of the Lakota Sioux. The official Army History of the expedition describes the event thusly: 'Early on Tuesday morning, 25 September 1804, on a sandbar in the mouth of the Bad River, the Corps of Discovery met the leaders of the Teton Sioux: Black Buffalo, the Grand Chief; the Partisan, second chief; Buffalo Medicine, third chief; and two lesser leaders. Lewis and Clark presented them with gifts. Unaware of factional Sioux politics, the captains inadvertently slighted two chiefs named 'the Partisan' and 'Buffalo Medicine'. They complained that their gifts were inadequate. After drinking some whiskey, the Partisan moved toward Clark, speaking roughly and staggering into him. Determined not to be bullied, Clark drew his sword. Suddenly, soldiers and Indians faced each other, arms at the ready. Fortunately, everyone held their fire, permitting Lewis, Clark, and Black Buffalo to calm the situation.'

The Missouri River inlet at Fort Pierre, South Dakota where Lewis and Clark were confronted ... [more]

Photo: A historical plaque marking the event which can be seen at the mouth of the Bad River in Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

A historical plaque marking the event which can be seen at the mouth of the Bad River in ... [more]

Photo: One of the historical markers along the expedition’s trail that incorrectly depicts them in buckskins. It is evident from Lewis’ account that the Corps of Discovery wore their full dress military uniforms to the meeting with the Sioux. Later on, these uniforms wore out and the expedition donned Indian style buckskins, but that would not occur for another year or so.

One of the historical markers along the expedition’s trail that incorrectly depicts them ... [more]

Photo: The Lewis and Clark Signature Event location at Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

The Lewis and Clark Signature Event location at Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

Photo: National Park Service’s “Tent of Many Voices” at Fort Pierre, South Dakota. This is one component of the Corps of Discovery II, a traveling exhibit commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition as well as the Indian cultures that they came into contact with during their trip to and from the Pacific Northwest.

National Park Service’s “Tent of Many Voices” at Fort Pierre, South Dakota. This is one component ... [more]

Photo: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had a display tent at the Fort Pierre Signature Event.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had a display tent at the Fort Pierre Signature Event.

Photo: The interpreters sailing up the Missouri River were escorted by boats from the 200th Engineer Company (Bridge) of the South Dakota Army National Guard. One of the Army watercraft, which are used to push floating bridge sections into position, is shown here transporting SSG Scott Mandrell (Montana National Guard) to shore. SSG Mandrell has done an outstanding job portraying Captain Meriwether Lewis during the recreated expedition.

The interpreters sailing up the Missouri River were escorted by boats from the 200th ... [more]

Photo: The replica keelboat (usually called a “barge” to Lewis and Clark) appears at the mouth of the Bad River on 24 September 2004.

The replica keelboat (usually called a “barge” to Lewis and Clark) appears at the mouth of the ... [more]

Photo: The keelboat fires a salute from its cannon to announce its arrival at Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

The keelboat fires a salute from its cannon to announce its arrival at Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

Photo: The white pirogue sails past the reproduction keelboat into the inlet marking the mouth of the Bad River. Lewis and Clark’s expedition consisted of three vessels, the keelboat and two pirogues. However, the arrival of the red pirogue was slightly delayed due to unexpected difficulties.

The white pirogue sails past the reproduction keelboat into the inlet marking the mouth of the ... [more]

Photo: The white pirogue ties up at a dock on the Bad River near Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The gentleman wearing leather leggings and a black bandana standing next to the stern of the vessel is portraying a contract boatman.

The white pirogue ties up at a dock on the Bad River near Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The ... [more]

Photo: Another view of the white pirogue as seen from a footbridge spanning the Bad River.

Another view of the white pirogue as seen from a footbridge spanning the Bad River.

Photo: Close up of the Jeffersonian Army fatigue (work detail) uniforms worn by the expedition aboard their vessels.

Close up of the Jeffersonian Army fatigue (work detail) uniforms worn by the expedition aboard ... [more]

Photo: The American flag flies atop the mast of the White Pirogue moored at the mouth of the Bad River in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Lewis and Clark made it a point to display the United States flag during the expedition. The United States was very concerned about British encroachment along the Northwestern Coast and Spanish expeditions making their way north from Mexico. Thus, it was very important for Lewis to maintain the appearance of an officially sponsored military expedition for as long as their uniforms lasted in order to provide a firm legal foundation against any European nation claiming sovereignty over the Pacific Northwest by virtue of exploration carried out by commercial entities seeking to expand the fur trade.

The American flag flies atop the mast of the White Pirogue moored at the mouth of the Bad River ... [more]

Photo: Two hundred years of military tradition – Current day soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard transport the interpreters of the Lewis and Clark expedition out to the Keelboat anchored in the middle of the Missouri River.

Two hundred years of military tradition – Current day soldiers of the South Dakota Army National ... [more]

Photo: Close up of Lewis and Clark reenactors from St. Charles, Missouri are depicted here mooring the white pirogue at Fort Pierre, South Dakota on 24 September 2004. The men are clad in fatigue uniforms. The individual wearing the red stocking cap is portraying one of the contract boatmen.

Close up of Lewis and Clark reenactors from St. Charles, Missouri are depicted here ... [more]

Photo: Close up of Jeffersonian Infantry Soldier from the front.

Close up of Jeffersonian Infantry Soldier from the front.

Photo: Back view of the same individual. Some knapsacks were marked with a prominent “U.S.” in white.

Back view of the same individual. Some knapsacks were marked with a prominent “U.S.” in white.

Photo: Side detail of the same soldier.

Side detail of the same soldier.

   
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