Sergeant Floyd Monument

Sioux City, Iowa | Honoring the Sole Casualty of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
 

Sergeant Charles Floyd holds a solemn place in American history as the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die during the journey, and the first U.S. soldier to die west of the Mississippi River.

Born around 1782 in Kentucky, Floyd joined the Corps of Discovery in 1803 as one of its earliest recruits. A dedicated and observant young soldier, he kept a detailed journal that remains an important record of the expedition’s early days—especially his descriptions of land quality and soil conditions.
 

A Sudden and Tragic Illness

On the evening of August 19, 1804, near present-day Sioux City, Iowa, Floyd became gravely ill with what was described in the journals as "bilious cholic"—what we now know to have been a ruptured appendix. Despite the efforts of Captains Lewis and Clark and the entire Corps, Floyd passed away just after 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 20, 1804.

In his journal, Captain Clark recorded:

“We buried him on the top of the bluff ½ Mile below a Small river to which we Gave his name, he was buried with the Honors of War, much lamented.”

Patrick Gass also wrote that Floyd was laid to rest “in the most decent manner our circumstances would admit.” A cedar post was placed at the grave, inscribed:
"Sergt. C. Floyd died here 20th of August 1804."
 

The Monument Today

Floyd’s original burial site eventually eroded due to the nearby river, but his remains were carefully relocated and reburied. On Memorial Day, 1901, a 100-foot-tall sandstone obelisk was dedicated to his memory.

Known today as the Sergeant Floyd Monument, it stands proudly over the Missouri River bluff in Sioux City. The monument is:

• 🪖 A National Historic Landmark

• 📍 One of the earliest memorials in the United States

• 🗼 The second-tallest obelisk in the country—second only to the Washington Monument
   

📍Plan Your Visit

A stop at the Sergeant Floyd Monument offers more than just a sweeping view of the Missouri River Valley—it’s an immersive step into history. In addition to the towering obelisk, visitors can explore two nearby interpretive centers that bring the story of the Corps of Discovery to life:

🏛️ The Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center, housed in a historic riverboat, features exhibits on river transportation, local history, and Sergeant Floyd’s legacy.

📚 Just down the road, the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center offers hands-on displays, life-sized dioramas, and engaging programs that trace the journey of the expedition and Floyd’s pivotal role.

Together, these sites form a powerful tribute—not only to a life cut short—but to the spirit of exploration that defined America’s greatest journey westward.