Yes that is correct. They had lead containers that were exactly the right proportion of lead to powder...sealed tight. They were very ragged when they got back but every man had a working rifle and they brought back powder and ball. Just about every other thing they ran out of (trade goods, etc) but their superior planning meant they had plenty of powder, ball and rifles. Of course, it helped that they had very little real trouble along the way in terms of violence. They had one run in with the Blackfeet and Lewis accidently got shot in the butt by one of his own men...but they had a pretty peaceful trip which helped on the ammo conservation of course.Do I recall this correctly...that Lewis designed his blackpowder containers out of lead, so that when one was emptied of powder, it could be melted down into lead balls for the guns? Pretty good planning!!??
saltydog452 said:So maybe, just maybe, the ' Gun That Won The West' and opened the door to Manifest Destiny was an air rifle
Lewis & Clark also handed out many "Jefferson Peace Medals" to the native Americans which may have also greatly impressed them.