July 11, 1803

The Shades of Death

As he travels between Harpers Ferry and Pittsburgh, Lewis likely reminisced of travel here as a young officer in the Whiskey Rebellion. Fellow officer Robert Wellford gives this description of a mountain crossing between Fort Cumberland and Grantsville, Maryland.

24th.

From Strickers the Army proceeded this day to Tomlinson’s, at the little Meadows, 11 miles. the course of this day’s march led the Army over a thousand times ten thousand rocks, thro’ a dark, dreary part of the Mountains called the “Shades of Death,” & by an almost continued ascent to that rugged and elevated part of the Alleghany Mountains known by the epithet of the “back bone of America.” Towards evening it began to rain, and the Tents of the Cavalry were pitched in the right hand meadow directly opposite the former encampment of General Braddock, and the ground which Washington made a stand after Braddock’s defeat, the marks of which are now easily dicernable. The infantry & the Artillery fixed their temporary residence in the edge of the woods above the little meadows, which are in the State of Maryland. The rain increased during the evening, & the whole of the night.
—Robert Wellford^[1]Ibid, p. 11.

As told to John Laycock during his research circa 1912, the “Shades of Death” was so named because of the danger travelers and waggoneers faced while passing through the area’s dense white pine forest. Considered the “darkest and gloomiest place along the entire route”, the forest provided “the Indian enemy” a favorable place to stage attacks.^[2]John Kennedy Lacock, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 38, no. 1 (1914): 17–18.

“Braddock’s Defeat” was the beginning of George Washington’s reputation as great military leader. He had no command in Braddock’s Expedition, but during the unauthorized retreat following Braddock’s fatal wounding, Washington organized a rear guard that helped the forces disengage.^[3]Fred Anderson, Crucible of War: The Seven Years’ War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754–1766 (New York: Alfred E Knopf, 2000), 103–4.

Forgotten Items

Washington July 11. 03

Th: Jefferson to Capt. Lewis

I inclose you your pocket book left here. if the dirk will appear passable by post, that shall also be sent, when recieved. your bridle, left by the inattention of Joseph in packing your saddle, is too bulky to go in that way. we have not recieved a word from Europe since you left us. be so good as to keep me always advised how to direct to you. accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of constant esteem.^[4]Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-41-02-0006 accessed 12 June 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas … Continue reading

Figure:

At his right hip Lewis carries his shot pouch and powder horn. Around his neck is slung the knife he probably called a dirk, which was not only a practical tool but also a defensive weapon. As with all the rest of the Corps since leaving Fort Mandan, he is clad in buckskin. Historical research since the onset of the bicentennial observance has shown that the tricorn hat he wears here was officially replaced with new styles of headgear before the expedition began.
—Robert R. Hunt in Espontoons

Lewis likely carried a dirk made at the Harpers Ferry armory.

Related: Expedition Weaponry | Horse Chronicles