Charles Floyd (abt. 1782 - 1804)

Born about 1782 in Virginia, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 20 Aug 1804 at about age 22 in Louisiana Territory, United States

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Charles Floyd was involved in the westward expansion of the USA. Westward Ho! Join: Lewis and Clark Expedition Project Discuss: lewis_and_clark

Biography

Charles Floyd is Notable.

Charles was born in 1782 in an area which soon became Kentucky. He was the son of Robert Floyd and Lilyann or Lillian, last name unknown.

Charles was likely the youngest member of the expedition, enlisting on Aug. 1, 1803 at the age of 21. He was also one of the so-called "nine young men from Kentucky" and formally appointed in April 1804 as one three sergeants, along with his cousin Nathanial Pryor.^[1]

Unfortunately, he became severely ill three months after departing from St. Louis.

Writing in his diary on July 31st, Floyd noted,'' "I am verry sick and has ben for Sometime but have Recovered my helth again."

On Aug. 19th, Capt. Clark wrote, "Serjeant Floyd is taken verry bad all at once with a Biliose Chorlick we attempt to relieve him without success as yet, hr gets worst and we are much allarmed at his Situation, all attention to him"

Based on the symptoms described by Lewis and Clark, it has been concluded that Floyd was probably suffering from acute appendicitis. When his appendix ruptured, Floyd quickly died of peritonitis on Aug. 20, 1804.

Of his death, Capt. Clark wrote: . . . Serj. Floyd died with a great deal of composure. Before his death he said to me, "I am going away. I want you to write me a letter." We buried him on the top of the bluff ½ mile below a small river to which we gave his name. He was buried with the Honors of War much lamented. A seeder post with the (I) Name Sergt. C. Floyd died here 20th of August 1804 was fixed at his grave. This man at all times gave us proofs of his firmness and determined resolution to doe service to his countrey and honor to himself.

His place of burial became known as Floyd's Bluff near present-day Sioux City, Iowa.

Charles Floyd was the only member of the corps to die during the expedition, most likely near present day Sioux City, Iowa.

Legacy

• Floyd County, Iowa is named in his honor.

Sources

1. ↑ Bennett, Pamela J, editor. “Lewis and Clark – Indiana Connections: Introducing the ‘Nine Young Men from Kentucky’ and York, Clark’s Slave.” The Indiana Historian, Jan. 2003, pp. 12–13, https://www.in.gov/history/for-educators/download-issues-of-the-indiana-historian/lewis-and-clark-indiana-connections/. Entire Issue PDF

• The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 2005. U of Nebraska Press / U of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries-Electronic Text Center. 5 Oct. 2005 <http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu>.

• Staff. “The People - Corps of Discovery.” Corps of Discovery - United States Army, U.S. Army Center of Military History, 12 Jan. 2019, https://history.army.mil/LC/the_people.htm.

See Also:

• Wikipedia: Charles Floyd (explorer)

• Wikidata: Item Q1064378, en:Wikipedia

• Find A Grave: Memorial #2346