Lewis & Clark for the 21st Century

Gary Moulton on editing the Journals

Members of the Carolinas Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the Greensboro Historical Society and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro were treated to two presentations by Gary Moulton, editor of the Lewis & Clark Journals.

Professor Moulton's presentation at the Greensboro Historical Museum focused on his experience as editor.  I came away from his presentation with the sense that to complete this project is virtually on the same level of difficulty that the Corps of Discovery had in traveling up and over the Rockies to the Pacific and back. 

Why? 

Lewis & Clark and their fellow journal writers wrote their observations down about a multitude of topics, from mapping, to floral and fauna, to the cultural life of native tribes.  To edit their writings required someone who could exhibit the same focused discipline to see the project through to its end, and the same ability to draw upon the expertise of people in far ranging fields of science, history and linguistics to make certain the journals were accurately edited.

The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition are an American treasure.  Of course, we all believe that. But if the wise people who make these kinds of decisions had chosen someone whose temperament was less humble, less collaborative, less willing to learn, then the outcome of this most difficult venture would be less than satisfying.

Gary Moulton's other presentation was on the editing and publishing history of the journals.  It was not his purpose to make this point, but I came away with an increased appreciation for what he has done.  The manner in which the journals have been treated over the past two hundred years is not all together commendable.  Yet, now we have the best possible edition of the journals.  And future generations will be able to delve deeper into this grand story and find the hidden gems that help to explain not only who we are as Americans, but the world that Lewis & Clark was introduced as they journeyed West.

We all owe Gary Moulton our thanks.

New L&C Keelboat sets sail

The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center in Charlottesville, Virginia has launched their own keelboat.

Here is a portion of the press release accompanying the launch event.

"While a handful of other communities along the trail blazed across the West by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark 200 years ago have built their own keelboat replicas, the local "Discovery Virginia" is the only eastern-based keelboat replica.  It weighs over six tons, and was built under the direction of master historical Boatwright Butch Bouvier. 

...

The keelboat has been built by adults and children alike.  Many of the children were involved in the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center’s “Hammer, Chisel and Saw” summer camp activities where they learn boatbuilding skills and receive Junior Boatbuilding badges.

Land adjoining Darden Towe Park will be the future home of the Virginia Exploratory Center. Both Meriwether Lewis and Thomas Jefferson, the president who sponsored the groundbreaking expedition into the uncharted West, were natives of Albemarle County, and Clark was born not far away in Caroline County, Virginia, after his family moved there from an Albemarle County cabin site right next to Darden Towe Park."

If you would like additional information about the keelboat or the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center, contact Jane Henley, President.

Ambrose on leadership

You know those lists of books and articles in the back of most books.  It is worth checking them out.  Some are hard to find, so work with your local library. 

Here's an article that is worth tracking down.

Military Leadership and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

It is a Q&A discussion with Stephen Ambrose during the Nebraska Humanities Council's Governor's Lecture in the Humanities, September 17, 1998.  The text of discussion appears in Nebraska Humanities, Volume VIII, Number 2, 1998.  There is not an online version as far as I can tell.

Here is an insight that is worth reflecting upon in light of the current war in Iraq and just completed Presidential election.

Ambrose is asked, "Is there anything distinctive about military leadership that is different from presidential leadership or any other kind of leadership?

Ambrose responded, "Physical bravery.  An ability to keep your composure and think in a level-headed way at a time when all hell is going on around you and being able to pick out what needs to be done out of a kaleidoscope of chaotic actions.  A president doesn't need to think as quickly as a company commander does.  He needs to be able to think things through perhaps, and he needs maybe a much broader base of education and intelligence, but not that quickness in decision making.  In fact, I don't want presidents who make quick decisions.  But if you're talking about a company, squad or platoon in combat.  I want that leader to be able to make a quick decision.  And it is very often the case - this is almost one of the rules of war - that doing something is always better than doing nothing in combat. Even if what your're doing is a damn fool mistake, it's better than just sitting there."