Captain Meriwether Lewis began putting together supply lists almost immediately after President Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery. Detailed as he was, he left nothing out—not even an accounting of the number of teaspoons the expedition would need. Altogether the supplies weighed almost two tons and were transported to St. Louis by two wagons.

His forethought is obvious in some of the supplies. For example, the expedition was well stocked with oilskin bags, which kept their journals, instruments and other precious goods dry even if they happened to be dropped in the river. He also packed dozens of sheets of oilcloth, which would serve two purposes—a water-resistant tent at night and a cover for the supplies in the boats by day. The sturdy sheets were even used as sails during some parts of the journey. And, of course, he packed plenty of paper and ink.

Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River. (Click for a larger image)

Food supplies included sugar, flour, dried corn and salt as well as 193 pounds of Portable Soup—the colonial equivalent of today’s condensed soup—sealed in lead canisters. He also included 30 gallons of liquor, stored in six big kegs, as part of the crew’s rations. It lasted until Independence Day, 1805, when the crew polished it off in celebration of the end of the grueling, month-long portage around the Great Falls.

Lewis also gathered a wide variety of trade goods to use as gifts for the Indians and for barter. The Corps brought tobacco, beads, bells, silk ribbon, red cloth, needles (4,600 of them), thimbles, small scissors, mirrors, buttons, earrings and face paint. They also brought a number of Peace Medals with them to give to the Indians. The medals came in two sizes and were inscribed with a handshake and a peace pipe on the front, and a profile of Thomas Jefferson on the back.

Of course, as a military operation, they packed firepower. For general defense, the men were armed with trusty muskets, which were familiar and comfortable weapons. The Corps also took at least 15 of the latest in firearm technology from the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry: the .54 caliber Harper’s Ferry rifle, which was designed under Lewis's direction. Several of the hunters in the party also used Kentucky long rifles for accuracy and distance, and the captains were each issued a pocket pistol.

Lewis also brought an air rifle that worked much like a modern-day, pump-action B-B gun (although, at .31 caliber, it was lethal enough to kill a deer, and was more than a mere B-B gun). The rifle was hardly used, except to impress the Indians.

Mounted on the bow of the keelboat was a swivel cannon, which made its way to the Pacific even though the keelboat did not. Lewis gave the cannon to a Minnetaree chief at the Mandan villages in present-day North Dakota on the Corps' return trip.

Lewis wasn’t going to chance running out of ammunition. He packed 500 rifle flints, 420 pounds of sheet lead for making bullets and some 225 pounds of gunpowder, which was sealed in lead canisters that, when empty, could be melted down for more ammo.

Perhaps one of the most welcome pieces of equipment didn't show up on Lewis's detailed list. Private Pierre Cruzatte brought his fiddle to entertain the party; he and his music are mentioned often in the captains' journals.