Saturday, April 13, 2013

Answers to Mystery Objects 7-10


 
# 7 A sounden horn would have been used as a way to send signals between boats during the time of the Expedition. It was also used by the Corps of Discovery to help the men on the boats communicate with those hunting or hiking on land.







 










# 8 A ceremonial pipe bowl would have been put on a wooden stem and filled with tobacco for smoking. This example is made of catlinite, the red pipe stone we saw in our trade program. Do you remember which state we said it came from?




 
 # 9
This is a linstock. It was used to more safely fire a cannon. After the rope cords were lit, the long wooden handle would allow a soldier to stand at a distance and light a cannon’s fuse. The Expedition’s soldiers first shot the cannon at Fort Mandan on Christmas morning. Captain Clark allowed them to fire it three times to celebrate the holiday.
















 # 10
Draw knives like this one were woodworking tools. They were used to help do finishing work on projects like dugout canoes. If a draw knife slipped as it was being pulled toward the woodworker, it could cause a big problem! Now, much safer ones do similar work.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Mystery Object #10


This is a dangerous tool used by the Corps of Discovery. How do you think it was used?

Monday, April 8, 2013

Mystery Object #9


This is an item that the Corps of Discovery used on Christmas morning at Fort Mandan. Can you figure out what it is?


Sunday, April 7, 2013

On This Day....

From the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation:

April 7, 1805

Today the Lewis & Clark Expedition left Fort Mandan. Meriwether Lewis wrote, "I could but esteem this moment of my departure as among the most happy of my life."

Looking back on the Expedition as a whole, what do you think Lewis would have identified as his highlight?


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Mystery Object #8


An object like this might have been offered to Lewis or Clark by Indian Chiefs they had just met. The Chiefs and the Captains might pass it around during a meeting. What do you think it is?


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Mystery Object #6


Can you identify this item? Soldiers at the time of Lewis and Clark were expected to use one of these at least every three days.