Originally Posted by kaywoodie
Originally Posted by TnBigBore
One of my ancestors (John Shields), and one of my distant relatives (Meriwether Lewis) were part of the expedition. I have read many books on the expedition and while the idea of it thrills me, the reality is something else. Maybe, just maybe when I was in my 20s and a college athlete I could have hacked it physically, but likely not. These men were as tough as shoe leather. Maybe there are some here who would be up for it, but I think most a deluding themselves.


Wasn’t Shields the acting gunsmith on the expedition?



That he was and the oldest member of the expedition at 36 I think. He was drafted by Clark for his frontiersman and gunsmithing skills. He was one of 10 brothers that first settled in the Pigeon Forge area of Tennessee in the 1790s and built Shields Fort. If you have ever been to Pigeon Forge, the fort was built very close to where Dollywood Theme Parks sits today.

Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.