​The Corps of Discovery, launched in 1804 under the command of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, included a carefully selected group of U.S. Army soldiers, civilian interpreters, and a few notable non-military members. These men were chosen for their diverse skills—blacksmithing, hunting, gunsmithing, and more—and would help forge a path across the American West.
 

Corps of Discovery Roster (Keelboat Phase)

•  John Ordway, Sergeant

• Nathaniel Pryor, Sergeant

• Charles Floyd, Sergeant

• ​Patrick Gass, Sergeant

• William Bratton, Private

• John Collins, Private

• John Colter, Private

• Pierre Cruzatte, Private

• Joseph Field,Private

• Reuben Field, Private

• Robert Frazer, Private

• Silas Goodrich, Private

• George Gibson, Private

• Thomas P. Howard, Private

• Hugh Hall, Private

• Francis Labiche,Private

• Hugh McNeal, Private

• John Shields, Private

• George Shannon,Private

• John Potts,Private

• Jean Baptiste LePage,Private

• John B. Thompson,Private

• William Werner, Private

• Richard Windsor, Private

• Peter Wiser,Private

• Alexander Willard, Private

• Joseph Whitehouse,Private

• John Newman,Private

• Richard Warfington, Corporal

• George Drouillard, Interpreter

• Toussaint Charbonneau, Interpreter

• York, Clark's servant

• Sacagawea, Guide/Interpreter

• St. Louis Boatmen, Civilian Crew

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What Became of Them?

Most Corps members were granted 320-acre land warrants.

• Charles Floyd – Died on expedition (1804), buried in Sioux City, Iowa.

• John Ordway – Settled in Missouri, died ~1817.

• Nathaniel Pryor – Married Osage woman, died 1831 in Oklahoma.

• Patrick Gass – Published first expedition journal (1807), died 1870.

• John Colter – Became a legendary mountain man, died 1813.

• John Potts – Killed by Blackfeet in 1810.

• Joseph & Reuben Field – Settled in Missouri/Kentucky, both deceased by 1828.

• John Shields – Trapped with Daniel Boone, died 1809.

• William Bratton – Served in War of 1812, died 1841.

• Alexander Willard – Settled in California, died 1865.

• George Shannon – Elected to public office, died in Missouri, 1836.

• Peter Weiser – Killed by 1825–28; Weiser, Idaho, named in his honor.

• Others – Some faded into obscurity; others joined fur trade, re-enlisted, or moved west.
   

Court-Martials & Discipline

The 1776 Articles of War governed military conduct. Some members of the Corps were disciplined for serious infractions:

• John Collins – AWOL, drunkenness, insubordination; sentenced to 100 lashes.

• Hugh Hall – AWOL and theft; sentenced to 50 lashes (partial enforcement).

• William Werner – AWOL; sentenced to 20 lashes (not carried out).

• Alexander Willard – Sleeping on guard; sentenced to 100 lashes.

• Moses Reed – Desertion and theft; "ran the gauntlet" and expelled.

• John Newman – Mutinous talk; sentenced to 75 lashes and removed from permanent party.

• Thomas Howard – Endangered Fort Mandan by scaling the walls; sentenced to 50 lashes (pardoned).
   

Daily Life & Responsibility

July 8, 1804 – Provisions Order Lewis and Clark appointed men as provision superintendents to oversee food use:

• John B. Thompson – Sgt. Floyd’s mess

• William Werner – Sgt. Ordway’s mess

• John Collins – Sgt. Pryor’s mess

They were exempt from guard and tent duties but held accountable for food, cooking gear, and meal planning.