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Blacksmiths Blacksmiths
of the Expedition In
colonial America, blacksmiths were called on to make or repair any item that was
made of iron or in some cases other metals such as copper and brass. Blacksmiths
were extremely valuable members in the Corps of Discovery as they could make
axes, knives, fireplace implements, hinges, and nails. In essence a blacksmith
was the 19th century equivalent of our local hardware store. Two of the
Expedition’s blacksmiths were also accomplished gunsmiths and were able to
repair firearms when necessary. The
Corps of Discovery blacksmiths worked mainly with wrought iron. Although wrought
iron has a very low carbon content which makes it much weaker than the steel we
use today, wrought iron is very malleable and can be continuously reworked. The
tools used were U.S. army issue and included bellows, hammers, anvils, tongs,
chisels, and punches. In order to create the intense heat needed the blacksmiths
needed a supply of charcoal, which they made themselves. Charcoal is the
byproduct of burning cut wood under controlled circumstances. A cord (a stack of
wood measuring 4’ x 4’ x 8 ') would be covered with dirt. A fire would be
lit under the wood and be allowed to smolder for 2 to 3 days. This process would
yield approximately 18 bushels of charcoal. As long as the Corps could find
wood, they would be able to make charcoal and keep their forge working. The
high regard that was placed on the job the blacksmiths did at Camp River Dubois
can be seen in the fact that blacksmiths were exempt from military drills, guard
duty, and received extra daily rations of whiskey. The value of the blacksmiths
was apparent nearly a year later when the Expedition traded goods the
blacksmiths made for food as noted by Clark at Fort Mandan on February 6, 1805:
"the blacksmiths take a considerable quantity of corn today in payment
for their labour.” John Shields is given most credit as being the Expedition’s blacksmith. Besides his expertise as a blacksmith, Shields proved his worth as a gunsmith, boat builder and general repairman. There are also over 70 journal entries regarding his prowess as a hunter. After the Expedition returned, Lewis wrote: "Shields had received the pay of only a private. Nothing was more particularly useful to us, in various situations, in repairing the guns, accoutrements, etc., and should it be thought proper to allow him something [extra] as an artificer, he has well deserved it." In 1806 he received $180.00 in back pay, and in 1807, $178.50 in extra pay, plus a warrant for land located in Franklin County, Missouri. |
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