Military Service

In August 1794 in an effort to squash the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Meriwether Lewis was among those that joined (Lewis p. 15). Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, Meriwether learned he had a taste for the military and longed for the life of a soldier. Late in 1794 he decided to stay on with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan patrolling Pittsburg following the revolt. In August of 1795 Meriwether joined the forces of General Mad Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the treaty of Greenville. This brought Meriwether back into contact with the Native American tribes of North America. By late 1795 Meriwether had been reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company commanded by William Clark. Unfortunately, they would not be together long as Clark was forced to resign his commission due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.