Here is a more detailed timeline of the events leading up to Lewis's death:
Background:
- In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson appointed Lewis to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory and find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
- Lewis and his co-captain, William Clark, embarked on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in May 1804.
- The expedition successfully reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805 and returned to the eastern United States in September 1806.
Political Tensions and Controversy:
- Upon returning from the expedition, Lewis faced criticism and political controversies, including accusations of financial irregularities during the trip.
- President Jefferson appointed Lewis as Governor of the Louisiana Territory in an attempt to help him recover his reputation.
Mission to the Pacific Northwest:
- In 1809, Lewis embarked on a diplomatic mission to the Pacific Northwest to establish trade relations with Native American tribes.
- Lewis traveled up the Missouri River and across the Rocky Mountains, making his way toward the Columbia River.
Death at Grinder's Stand:
- On October 11, 1809, Lewis reached Grinder's Stand, a frontier settlement in Tennessee, where he stayed the night.
- Early in the morning of October 12, Lewis was found dead in his room with two gunshot wounds to the head.
- The exact circumstances surrounding Lewis's death remain unclear and controversial, with several theories suggesting suicide, accidental shooting, or murder.
Official Report:
- Andrew Jackson, a friend of Lewis and a prominent military officer, conducted an investigation into Lewis's death.
- The official report concluded that Lewis had committed suicide, citing evidence such as the placement of the gunshot wounds and a despondent letter found in his belongings.
Controversy and Alternative Theories:
- Despite the official report, many historians and researchers have challenged the suicide conclusion, arguing that the evidence is inconclusive or contradictory.
- Alternative theories range from accidental shooting to murder at the hands of a Native American or a disgruntled traveler.
The mystery surrounding Meriwether Lewis's death continues to intrigue and inspire further investigation.