[Clark, July 2, 1804]
July the 2nd 1804 - Set out verry early this morning passd
on the Left of the Isles des parques High butifull
Situation- on the L S. the land indifferent lands a Creek
coms in on the S. S. Called parques, all at once the river
became Crowded with drift that it was dangerous to cross
this I Suppose was from the caveing in of the banks at the
head of Some Island above, (3) passed a Creek on the L. S.
called Turquie or Turkey Creek passed a verry bad Sand bar
on the L. S. the 20 Oars & Poals could with much dificuelty
Stem the Current, passed a large Island on the S. S. Called
by the Inds. Wau-car-ba war-con-da or the Bear Medison
Island, at 12 oClock came to on the Island and put in a
mast, detained four hours, exceedingly hot, wind in forepart
of the day from the S. E, George Drewyer informs that the
Lands he pass through yesterday & to day on the S. S. was
generally Verry fine he Saw two Springs of fresh water near
the Island, Deer Sign has become So Common it is hardly
necessary to mention them, we Camped after dark on the S. S.
opposit the 1st old Village of the Kanzas which was Situated
in a Valley between two points of high land, on the river
back of their village commenced an extensive Prarie a large
Island in front which appears to have made on that Side and
thrown the Current of the river against the place the
Village formerly Stood, and washes away the bank in that
part. The french formerly had a Fort at this place, to
protect the trade of this nation, the Situation appears to
be a verry elligable one for a Town, the valley rich &
extensive, with a Small Brook Meanding through it and one
part of the bank affording yet a good Landing for Boats The
High Lands above the Fere river on each Side of the
Missouries appear to approach each other much nearer than
below that plaice, being from 3 to 6 miles between them, to
the Kansas, above that place from 3 to 5 Ms. apart and
higher Some places being 160 or 180 feet the river not So
wide We made a Mast of Cotton wood, to day in the Course of
the evening & night it turned of a butifull red Colour
[Clark, July 2, 1804]
July 2nd, 1804 - Set out early and proceeed on the left of
the islands, two of which are large a high bottom Situated
on the L. S. passed the mouth of a Creek on the S. S. Called
Turquie Creike, at this place I observed that the river was
Crouded with Drift wood, and dangerous to pass as this dead
timber Continued only about half an our, I concluded that
Some Island of Drift had given way (3) passed a Creek on the
L. S. called Turky Creek, a bad Sand bar on the L. S. we
could with dificuelty Stem the Current with our 20 oars &
and all the poles we had, passed a large Island on the S. S.
Called by the Indians Wau-car-ba war-cand-da or the Bear
Medesin Island, at 12 oClock landed on the Island & put up a
mast which detained us four hours- a verry hot day winds
from the S. E.- George Drewyer inform's that the Lands he
passed through yesterday and to day on the S. S. was verry
fine, few Springs, we Camped after dark on the S. S. above
the Island & opposit the 1st old village of the Kanzes which
was Situated in a valley, between two points of high Land,
and imediatly on the river bank, back of the village and on
a riseing ground at about one mile The French had a garrison
for Some time and made use of water out of a Spring running
into Turkey Creek. an extensive Prarie, as the Current of
the river Sets against the banke and washes it away the
landing place for Boats is indifferent- The high lands above
the Fire river, approaches nearer each than below, being
from 3 to 6 miles distant and above Kansas from 3 to 5 miles
distant and the Hills at Some places are from 160 to 180
feet above the bottom
[Clark, July 3, 1804]
July 3rd 1804 - Set out verry early this morning and
proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the South passed two
Islands one a Small Willow Island on the L. S. (1) The other
a large Island Called Cow 1. (Isle Vache), this Island is
large, opposit to the head on the S. S. is a (2) large Pond,
a Bad Sand bar on the S. S. we attemptd without Success, &
was oblige to Cross back, I Saw a White horse on the L. S.
in view of the upper point of the Island, (3) passed a large
Sand bar at the S. point, we halted to day about a mile
above the Island and found a horse, which had been lost by
the Indians, verry fat and jentle, Sent him on to join the
others which was ahead on the L S at this place, the french
had a tradeing house, for to trade with the Kanzes on a high
bottom on the L. S. near the hills which is Prarie proceeded
on round a large Sand bar on the L. S. & Camped (opposit a
large Sand bar in the middle of the river). on the L. S. a
Butifull Small Stream passes back of the trading house,
before mentioned
[Clark, July 3, 1804]
July 3rd, Tusday 1804 - Set out verry early this morning and
proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the S. passed two
Islands (1) one a Small willow Island on the L. S. the other
large Called by the french Isle de Vache or Cow Island,
opposit the head on the S. S. is a large Pond Containg
Beever, & fowl, a bad Sandbar on the S. S. above the Island,
on the L. S. we halted at an old Tradeing house, here we
found a verry fat horse, which appears to have been lost a
long time a butifull Small run passes back of the Tradeing
house near the high land, we came to at a round bend on the
L. S. and Camped
[Clark, July 4, 1804]
July 4th Wednesday 1804, - Set out early passed the mouth of
a Beyeue leading from a Lake on the S. S. this Lake is large
and was once the bend of the River, it reaches Parrelel for
Several miles, Came to on the L. S. to Dine & rest a Short
time, a Snake bit Jo. Fields on the Side of his foot which
Swelled much, apply Barks to the wound, pass a Creek on the
L. S. about 15 yards wide cuming out of an extensive Prarie
as this Creek has no name, and this day is the 4th of July,
we name this Independance us. Creek above this Creek the
wood land is about 200 yards, back of those wood is an
extensive Prarie open and high, which may be Seen six or
seven below- Saw great Nos. of Goslins to day nearly Grown,
the last mentioned prarie I call Jo Fields Snake Prarie,
Capt Lewis walked on Shore & Saw a large moun & 3 roads
leading We Camped in the plain one of the most butifull
Plains, I ever Saw, open & butifully diversified with hills
& vallies all presenting themselves to the river covered
with grass and a few scattering trees a handsom Creek
meandering thro at this place the Kansaw Inds. formerly
lived and had a verry large Town passed a Creek (4) I
observed Spring braking out of the bank, a good Situation
for a fort on a hill at the upper part
The Plains of this countrey are covered with a Leek Green
Grass, well calculated for the sweetest and most norushing
hay-interspersed with Cops of trees, Spreding ther lofty
branchs over Pools Springs or Brooks of fine water. Groops
of Shrubs covered with the most delicious froot is to be
seen in every direction, and nature appears to have exerted
herself to butify the Senery by the variety of flours
Delicately and highly flavered raised above the Grass, which
Strikes & profumes the Sensation, and amuses the mind throws
it into Conjecterng the cause of So magnificent a Senerey in
a Country thus Situated far removed from the Sivilised world
to be enjoyed by nothing but the Buffalo Elk Deer & Bear in
which it abounds & Savage Indians
The names of the french Ingishees, or Hirelens-
in Perogue
1 Battist de Shone Patrn
2 Joseph Le bartee
3 Lasoness
4 Paul Preemau
5 Chalo
6 E. Cann
7 Roie
8 Charlo Cougee
in the large Boat
*J. Le bartee
Rivee
bow men
Pieter Crousatt half Indian
William La Beice Mallat
3 Sergts. & 23 men for the Boat
George Drewyer. Hunter & 4 Horses
1 Corpl & 4 Privates in a Perogue to be Sent back from Plate
river
Mr. Dueron inteptr for the Sues Capt. Lewis my Self & York
in all 46 men July 4th 4 horses & a Dog
[Clark, July 4, 1804]
July 4th Wednesday - ussered in the day by a discharge of
one shot from our Bow piece, proceeded on, passed the mouth
of a (1) Bayeau lading from a large Lake on the S. S. which
has the apperance of being once the bed of the river &
reaches parrelel for Several Miles Came to on the L. S. to
refresh ourselves &. Jos. Fields got bit by a Snake, which
was quickly doctered with Bark by Cap Lewis. (2) Passed a
Creek 12 yds. wide on L. S. comeing out of an extensive
Prarie reching within 200 yards of the river, as, this Creek
has no name, and this being the we Dine (on corn) the 4th of
July the day of the independance of the U. S. call it 4th of
July 1804 Creek, Capt. Lewis walked on Shore above this
Creek and discovered a high moun from the top of which he
had an extensive view, 3 paths Concentering at the moun Saw
great numbers of Goslings to day which Were nearly grown,
the before mentioned Lake is clear and Contain great
quantities of fish an Gees & Goslings, The great quantity of
those fowl in this Lake induce me to Call it the Gosling
Lake, a Small Creek & Several Springs run in to the Lake on
the East Side from the hills the land on that Side verry
good- (3) We came to and camped in the lower edge of a Plain
where 2d old Kanzas village formerly Stood, above the mouth
of a Creek 20 yds wide this Creek we call Creek Independence
as we approached this place the Praree had a most butifull
appearance Hills & Valies interspsd with Coops of Timber
gave a pleasing deversity to the Senery. the right fork of
Creek Independence Meandering thro the middle of the Plain a
point of high Land near the river givs an allivated
Situation. at this place the Kanzas Indians formerley lived.
this Town appears to have covd. a large Space, the nation
must have been noumerous at the time they lived here, the
Cause of their moveing to the Kanzas River, I have never
heard, nor Can I learn; war with their neghbors must have
reduced this nation and Compelled them to retire to a
Situation in the plains better Calculated for their defence
and one where they may make use of their horses with good
effect, in persueing their enemey, we Closed the by a
Discharge from our bow piece, an extra Gill of whiskey.
[Clark, July 5, 1804]
July the 5th 1804 - Set out verry early this morning, Swam
the horse across the river, proceeded on for two miles under
the bank where the old Kansas town formerly stood The Cause
of those people moveing from this place I cannot learn, but
naterally conclude that War has reduced their nation &
compelled them to retire further into the Plains with a view
of defending themselves & opposeing their enemey (more
effectuall) on hors back (I neglected to mention yesterday
that the Lake on the S. S. was large Say 3/4 me. wide & 7 or
8 long one creek & Several brooks running into it from the
hills, it contains Great quantities of Sun fish & Gosling's
from which we gave it the name,) passed Some verry bad Sand
bars Situated parrelel to each other, (1) the Boat turned
three times once on the ____ of a Drift wood. She recved no
proceiviable damage, we came to for Dinner at a Beever
house, Cap Lewis's Dog Seamon went in & drove them out. the
high Lands on the L. S. is open, a few trees Scattering (2)
passed a Small Creek on the L. S. in the 1s bend to the left
I call yellow oaker creek from a bank of that Mineral just
above. we camped on the L. S. under a high bank Latd. 39°
25' 41" North
on the banks of this river I observe great quants of Grapes,
berries & roses Deer is not So plenty in this three days
past as they were below that. Elks are plenty about those
Praries. Some Buffalow Sign.
[Clark, July 5, 1804]
July 5th Thursday 1804 - Set out verry early, proceeded on
near the bank where the old village Stood for two miles,
(Swam the hors found a few days ago) passed Some bad Sand
bars, The Origan of this old village is uncertain M. de
Bourgmont a French officer who Comdd. a fort near the Town
of the Missouris in about the year 1724 and in July of the
Same year he visited this Village at that time the nation
was noumerous & well desposed towards the french Mr. Du
Pratz must have been badly informed as to the Cane opposd
this place we have not Seen one Stalk of reed or cane on the
Missouries, he States that the "Indians that accompanied M
De Bourgmont Crossed to the Canzes Village on floats of
Cane"
Those people must have been verry noumerous at that time as
Mr. De B. was accompanied by 300 Warriers, 500 young people
& 300 Dogs of burthen out of this Village
The Cause of Those Indians moveing over to the Kanzis river
I have never lernt- we passed Some bad Sand bars, Situated
parrelel to each other (1) The Boat turned twice on the
quick Sand & once on a raft of Drift, no procievable damage
Prarie Contine on the high land on the L. S. passd a Small
Creek (2) on L. S. in the first bend to the L S. I call
Yellow-Oaker Creek from a quantity of that Mineral in a bank
a little above
The river Continue to fall a little- I observe great
quantities of Summer & fall Grapes, Berries & Wild roases on
the banks- Deer is not so plenty as usual, great Deel of Elk
Sign. (Wind from S E)
[Clark, July 6, 1804]
6th July Friday. - We Set out early this morning & Proceeded
on (the river falls Slowly) wind S. W) passed a Sand bar in
1st bend to the right (1) passed a Small Island at the S.
pt. a verry warm day (worthy of remark that the water of
this river or Some other Cause, I think that the most
Probable throws out a greater preposn. of Swet than I could
Suppose Could pass thro the humane body Those men that do
not work at all will wet a Shirt in a Few minits & those who
work, the Swet will run off in Streams) opposit the 3rd
point passed a Prarie on the S. S. Called Reeveys Prarie
(fro a man of that name being Killed in it) opposit this
Prarie the river is Confined in a verry narrow Space Crowded
on S. S. by Sands which were moveing and difficuelt to pass.
the Hunts. Sent in 3 Deer Jurked on the 4th point of to day
is a Small Island & a Sand bar 2 miles out in the river,
this is Called the Grand Bend, or Grande de Tour, I walked
on this Sand bar found it a light Sand intersperced with
Small Pebbles of various Kinds, also pit Coal of an
excellent quallity was lodged on the Sand, We camped on the
L. S. at a small creek a whiper will perched on the boat for
a Short time, I gave his name to the Creek
[Clark, July 6, 1804]
July 6th, Friday - We Set out early this morning, wind from
the S. W. passed a large Sand bar in the 1st. bend to the
right. (1) passed a Small Island at the S. point opposit the
3rd point we passed a Prarie on the S. S. Called Reeveys
Prarie at this place the river is Confined in a verry narrow
Channel Crouded by a Sand bar from the L. Point This Sand
bar from the L. Point, this Sand bar is verry bad, at the
4th Point from the S. S. is a verry extensive bar, at the
Point of which is a Small willow Island this is Called the
Grand Detour or Great bend
I walked on this Sand bar and found the Sand was light, with
Collection of Small pebble, & some Pit Coal I observe that
the men Swet more than is Common from Some Cause, I think
the Missouries water is the principal Cause our hunters Sent
in 3 Bucks today The river Still fall a little
[Clark, July 7, 1804]
7th of July Satturday 1804 - Set out early passed Some verry
Swift water on the L. S. which Compelled us to Draw up by
the Cord. a verry warm morning, passed a butifull Prarie on
the right Side which extends back, those Praries has much
the appearance from the river of farms, Divided by narrow
Strips of woods those Strips of timber grows along the runs
which rise on the hill & pass to the river a Cleft above,
one man sick (Frasure) Struck with the Sun, Saw a large rat
on the Side of the bank, Killed a wolf on the Bank passed
(2) a verry narrow part of the river, all confined within
200 yards, a yellow bank above, passed a Small willow Island
on the S. point, (in Low water those Small Willow Islands
are joined to the Sand bars makeing out from the Points) a
pond on the S. S near the prarie we passed yesterday in
which G D. Saw Several young Swans we Came to and Camped on
the L. S. and two men Sent out last evening with the horses
did not join us this evening agreeable to orders- a hard
wind with Some rain from the N, E at 7 oClock which lasted
half an hour, with thunder & lightning. river fall a little
[Clark, July 7, 1804]
July the 7th Satturday 1804 - Set out early passed Some
Swift water, which obliged us to draw up by roapes, a Sand
bare at the point opposit a butifull Prarie on the S. Side
Calld. (1) St. Michul, those Praries on the river has verry
much the appearence of farms from the river Divided by
narrow Strips of wood land, which wood land is Situatd. on
the runs leading to the river. passed a Bluff of yellow Clay
above the Prarie. Saw a large rat on the bank. Killed a
Wolf. at 4 oClock pass a Verry narrow part of the river
water Confd. in a bead not more than 200 yards wide at this
place the Current runs against the L. Side. no Sand to
Confine the Current on the S. S. passed a Small sand Island
above the Small Islds. Situated at the points, in low water
form a part of the Sand bars makeing out from those points
Incamped on the S. S. at 7 oClock a Violent Ghust of wind
from the N. E. with Some rain, which lasted half an hour (G
D. informs me that he Saw in a Pond on the S. S. which we
passed yesterday; a number of young Swans-,) one man verry
Sick, Struck with the Sun, Capt. Lewis bled him & gave Niter
which has revived him much
[Clark, July 8, 1804]
8th of July Sunday - Set out early this morning, the Sick
man much better, Serjt. Oddeway was waiting at a Creek on
the S. S. below an Island, passed (1) two Island on the S.
S. and came to at the upper point, G Drewyer went out R.
Fields & Guterich, five men Sick to day with a violent Head
ake &c. and Several with Boils, we appoint a Cook to each
mess to take Charge of the Provisions. in Serjt. Pryor's =
Collens in Sjt. Ordway's Werner in Sergt. Floyd's Thompson,
The french men Killed a young Deer on the Bank, (2) passed
up a narrow Channel of about 80 or 100 yds wide about 5
miles to the mouth of Nadawa River which corns in to this
channel from the N W. and is abt. 70 yards wide at its mouth
____ feet Deep and has a jentle Current, Perogues can
navagate this river near its head, which is between the
Missourie & the Grand River, passed up the gut 3/4 of a mile
to the river at the head of the Island & camped opposit the
head of this Island is another nearest the Middle R this
Island Nadawa is the largest I have Seen, formed by a
Channel washing into the Nadawa river.- "8 or 10000 acrs"
[Clark, July 8, 1804]
July the 8th Sunday 1804 - Set out early passed a Small
Creek on the S. S. and two (1) Small Islands on the S S.
five men Sick to day with a violent head ake &c. we made
Some arrangements as to provisions & Messes, came to for
Dinner at the lower point of a very large Island Situated
near the S. S. after a delay of two hours we passed a narrow
channel of 45 to 80 yds wide five miles to the mouth of (3)
Nkdawa River, This river Coms in from the North and is
navagable for Perogues Some distance. it is about 70 yards
wide a little above the mouth, at the mouth not So wide, the
mud of the Gut running out of the Missourie is thrown and
Settles in the mouth half a mile higher up this Channel or
gut is the upper point of the Said Island, This Island is
Called Nadawa, & is the largest I have Seen in the river,
containing 7 or 8000 acres of Land Seldom overflowed we
Camped at the head of this Island on the S. S. opposit the
head or our Camp is a Small Island near the middle of the
river, river Still falling. our flank party did not join us
this evening
[Lewis, July 8, 1804]
Detachment Orders Nadawa Island July 8th 1804. - In order to
insure a prudent and regular use of all provisions issued to
the crew of the Batteaux in future, as also to provide for
the equal distribution of the same among the individuals of
the several messes, The Commanding Officers Do appoint the
following persons to recieve, cook, and take charges of the
provisions which may from time to time be issued to their
respective messes, (viz) John B. Thompson to Sergt. Floyd's
mess,
William Warner to Sergt. Ordway's mess, and John Collins to
Sergt. Pryor's Mess.- These Superintendants of Provision,
are held immediately respon sible to the commanding Officers
for a judicious consumption of the provi sion which they
recieve; they are to cook the same for their several messes
in due time, and in such manner as is most wholesome and
best calculated to afford the greatest proportion of
nutriment; in their mode of cooking they are to exercise
their own judgment; they shall allso point out what part,
and what proportion of the mess provisions are to be
consumed at each stated meal (i. e.) morning, noon and
night; nor is any man at any time to take or consume any
part of the mess provisions without the privity, knowledge
and consent of the Superintendant. The superintendant is
also held responsible for all the cooking eutensels of his
mess. in considera tion of the duties imposed by this order
on Thompson, Warner, and Collins, they will in future be
exempt from guard duty, tho they will still be held on the
royster for that duty, and their regular tour-shall be per
formed by some one of their rispective messes; they are
exempted also from pitching the tents of the mess,
collecting firewood, and forks poles &c. for cooking and
drying such fresh meat as may be furnished them; those
duties are to be also performed by the other members of the
mess. M. Lewis Wm. Clark
This site includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes implied.
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806