Though there were 17 U.S. states in the very early 1800s, the tradition of adding a star to the U.S. flag for each state was not yet established.

Emblazoned with 15 stars, the flag shown is one of two versions used in the film. At the time of the expedition, the arrangement and shapes of the stars on the U.S. flag were not yet standardized.

Photograph by Mark Thiessen