[Clark, July 9, 1804]
July the 9th Monday 1804 - Sent one man back to the mouth of
the River to mark a tree, to let the party on Shore See that
the Boat had passed the river, Set out early passed (1) the
head of the Island Situated in the middle of the river a
Sand bar at the head, (2) passed the mouth of a Creek or
Bayou on the S. S. leading from a large Pond of about three
miles in length, at 8 oClock it commenced raining, the wind
changed from N E. to S. W. (3) at 6 miles passed the mouth
of a Small Creek on the L. S. called Monters Creek, the
river at this place is wide with a Sand bar in the Middle,
passed a place on the L. S. about 2 miles above the Creek,
where Several french men camped two years to hunt- (4)
passed a Island on the S S. of the river in a bend, opsd. a
high Land on the L. S. wind Shifted to the N. W. in the
evining, opsd. this Island, and on the L. S. Loup or Wolf
River Coms in, this river is about 60 yards Wide, but little
water running at the mouth, this river heads with the waters
of the Kanzas, and has a perogue navigation Some distance,
it abounds with Beaver, Camped opposit the head of the
Island on the L. S. Saw a fire on the S. S. Supposedly the
four flankers, to be theire, Sent a perogue for them, the
Patroon & Bowman of the Perogue French, they returned &
informed, that when they approached the fire, it was put
out, which caused them to return, this report causd. us to
look out Supposeing a pty. of Soux going to war, firierd the
bow piec to allarm & put on their guard the men on Shore
everey thing in readiness for Defence.
[Clark, July 9, 1804]
July 9th Monday 1804 - one man Sent back to the river we
passed last night to Blase a tree with a view to notify the
party on Shore of our passing Set out and passed the head of
the (1) Island which was Situated opposit to our Camp last
night a Sand bar at the head (2) opsd. this Island a Creek
or Bayaue Corns in from a large Pond on the Starboard Side,
as our flanking party Saw great numbers of Pike in this
Pond, I have laid it down with that name anex'd,v at 8
oClock the wind Shifted from the N, E to S W and it
commenced raining. (3) at Six miles passed the mouth of
Creek on the L. S. Called Monter's Creek, about two mile
above is some Cabins where our Bowman & Several frenchmen
Campd. two years (4) passed an Island on the S. S. in a Bend
of the river opposit Some Clifts on the L. S. the wind
Shifted to the N W opposit this Island and on the L. Side
(Loup) or Wolf River Coms in, this river is about 60 yards
wide and heads with the waters of the Kansis, and is
navagable for Perogues "Some destance up" Camped at a point
on the L. S. opposit the head of the Island, our party was
incamped on the Opposit Side, their not answering our
Signals Caused us to Suspect the persons Camped opposit to
us was a war party of Soux, we fired the Bow piece to alarm
the party on Shore, ailed prepared to oppose if attacted
[Clark, July 10, 1804]
July 10th Tuesday - Set out this morning with a view to Land
near the fire Seen last night, & recornetre, but Soon
discovered that our men were at the fire, they were a Sleep
early last evening, and from the Course of the Wind which
blew hard, their yells were not heard by party in the
perogue, a mistake altogether-. proceeded on, passed Prarie
on the upper Side of Woolf River, at 4 miles passed (1) a
Small Creek L. S. Called R. Pape this Creek is about 15 yds.
Wide-and called after a Spanierd who killed himself at the
mouth. (2) Dined on an Island Called de Selamen and delayed
3 hours, and proceeded on, opposit this Isld. on the L. S.
is a (3) butifull Bottom Prarie whuch will Contain about
2000 acres of Land covered with wild rye & wild Potatoes,
gread numbers of Goslings on the Banks & in the Ponds near
the river, Capt Lewis Killed two this evening, we came to &
Camped for the night. at a point on the S. S. opposit a
yellow Clay Clift.- our men all getting well but much
fatigued, the river is on a Stand nether rise nor fall, The
bottom on the S. S. is verry extensive & thick. the Hills or
high land is near the river on the L. S. and but thinly
timbered, back of those hills is open plains.
[Clark, July 10, 1804]
July 10th Tuesday 1804 - Set out early this morning and
Crossd the river with a view to See who the party was that
Camped on the other Side, we Soon discovered them to be our
men,- proceeded on passed a Prarie on the L. S. at 4 miles
passed a Creek L. S Called (1) Pappie after a man who Killed
himself at its mouth, this Creek is 15 yds wide- (2) Dined
on an Isld. Called de Salamin Delayed 3 hours on this Island
to recruit the men opposit on the L. S. is a butifull bottom
Plain of about 2000 acres (3) Covered with wild rye &
Potatoes, intermix't with the grass, we camped on the S. S.
opposit a yellow Clay Clift, Capt. Lewis Killed two young
Gees or Goslings this evening- The men of the party getting
better, but much fatigued- The river on a Stand- The bottom
is verry extensive on the S. S. and thickly intersperced
with Vines The High Land approaches near the river on the L.
S. and well timbered next to the river, back of those hills
the Plains Commence.
[Clark, July 11, 1804]
July 11th Wednesday, - Set out early proceeded on passed a
Willow (1) Island in a bend to the S. S. Sent out Dreweyer &
Jo. Fields to hunt, Back of this Island a creek corns in on
the S. S. called by the Indians Little Tarkio Creek I went
on Shore above this Island on the S. S. found the bottom
Subject for overflow wet and verry thickly interwoven with
grape Vines- proceeded on at about 1/2 a miles from the
river about 3 ms. and observed fresh Sign of a horse, I
prosueed the track, with an expectation of finding a Camp of
Indians on the river, when I got to the river, I saw a horse
on the Beech, this horse as appears was left last winter by
Some hunting party, probable the Othouez, I joined the Boat
on the Sand Island Situated opposit the mouth of the Ne Ma
har River, this river Coms in on the L. S. is about 80 yds
Wide and navagable for Perogues Some Distance up the praries
Commnce above the mouth and Continus on both Sides of this R
Drewyer killed 6 Deer to day J. Field one Several hunters
Sent out up the Nemahar R
[Clark, July 11, 1804]
July 11th, Wednesday 1804 - Set out early passed a Willow
Island (1) in a bend on the S. S. back of this Island a
Creek Corns in Called by the Indians Tar-ki-o
I went on Shore above this Creek and walked up parrelel with
the river at ab ut half a mile distant, the bottom I found
low & Subject to overflow, Still further out, the under
groth & vines wer So thick that I could not get thro with
ease after walking about three or 4 miles I observed a fresh
horse track where he had been feeding I turned my course to
the river and prosud the track and found him on a Sand beach
This horse Probably had been left by Some party of Otteaus
hunters who wintered or hunted in this quarter last fall or
Wintr. I joined the party on a large Sand Island imediately
opposit the mouth of Ne Ma haw River, at which place they
had Camped, this Island is Sand about half of it Covered
with Small Willows of two different Kinds, one Narrow & the
other a Broad Leaf. Several hunters Sent out to day on both
Sides of the river, Seven Deer Killed to day. Drewyer Killd
Six of them, made Some Luner observations this evening.
[Clark, July 12, 1804]
July 12th Thursday - Som hunters out on the S. S. those on
the L. S. did not return last night, our object in delaying
here is to tak Some Observations and rest the men who are
much fatigued made Sundery observations, after an early
Brackfast I took five men and went up the River Ne Ma har
about three miles, to an open leavel part of an emence
prarie, at the Mouth of a Small Creek on the Lower Side, I
went on Shore, & passed thro the plain passed Several noles
to the top of a high artificial Noal from the top of this
noal I had an emence, extensive & pleaseing prospect, of the
Countrey around, I could See the meandering of the Little
River for at least 10 miles winding thro a meadow of 15 or
20000 acres of high bottom land covered with Grass about
41/2 feet high, the high lands which rose irregularly, &
were toped with Mounds or antent Graves which is to me a
Strong evidence of this Countrey haveing been thickly
Settled-.This River is about 80 yards wide with a gentle
Current and heads up near the Parnee Village on River Blue a
branch of Kansas, a little timbered land near the mouth for
1 mile above, only a fiew Trees, and thickets of Plumbs
Cheres &c are Seen on its banks the Creeks & little reveens
makeing into the river have also Some timber- I got grapes
on the banks nearly ripe, observed great quantities, of
Grapes, plums Crab apls and a wild Cherry, Growing like a
Comn. Wild Cherry only larger & grows on a Small bush, on
the side of a clift Sand Stone 1/2 me. up & on Lower Side I
marked my name & day of the month near an Indian Mark or
Image of animals & a boat Tried Willard for Sleeping on his
post, our hunters killed some Deer, Saw Elk & Buffalow.
[Clark, July 12, 1804]
July 12th, Thursday 1804 - Concluded to Delay here to day
with a view of takeing equal altitudes & makeing
observations as well as refreshing our men who are much
fatigued- after an early Brackfast I with five men in a
Perogue assended the River Ne-Ma-haw about 2 miles to the
mouth of a Small Creek on the Lower Side, here I got out of
the Perogue, after going to Several Small Mounds in a leavel
plain, I assended a hill on the Lower Side, on this hill
Several Artificial Mounds were raised, from the top of the
highest of those Mounds I had an extensive view of the
Serounding Plains, which afforded one of the most pleasing
prospects I ever beheld, under me a Butifull River of Clear
water of about 80 yards wide Meandering thro a leavel and
extensive Meadow, as far as I could See, the prospect Much
enlivened by the fine Trees & Srubs which is bordering the
bank of the river, and the Creeks & runs falling into it,-.
The bottom land is covered with Grass of about 41/2 feet
high, and appears as leavel as a Smoth Surfice, the 2 bottom
is also covered with Grass and rich weeds & flours,
interspersed with Copses of the Osage Plumb. on the riseing
lands, Small groves of trees are Seen, with a numbers of
Grapes and a Wild Cherry resembling the Common Wild Cherry,
only larger and grows on a Small bush on the tops of those
hills in every derection. I observed artifical mounds (or as
I may more justly term Graves) which to me is a Strong
indication of this Country being once Thickly Settled. (The
Indians of the Missouris Still Keep up the Custom of
Burrying their dead on high ground) after a ramble of about
two miles about I returned to the perogue and decended down
the River, gathd. Som grapes nearly ripe, on a Sandstone
Bluff about 1/4 of a mile from its mouth on the Lower Side I
observed Some Indian marks, went to the rock which jutted
over the water and marked my name & the day of the month &
year- This river heads near one of the Villages of the Pania
on the River Blue, a branch of the Kansas River.- above this
river about half a mile the Prarie Comes to the Missouri
after my return to Camp on the Island Completed Som
observations, Tred tried a man for sleeping on his Post &
inspected the arms amunition &c. of the party found all
complete, Took Some Luner Obsevations. three Deer killed to
day. Latd. 39° 55' 56" N.
[Lewis and Clark, July 12, 1804]
Camp New Island July 12th 1804. - A Court matial consisting
of the two commanding officers will convene this day at 1
OCk. P.M. for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought
before them; one of the court will act as judge Advocate. M.
Lewis Wm. Clark
The Commanding officers. Capt. M. Lewis & W. Clark
constituted themselves a Court martial for the trial of Such
prisoners as are Guilty of Capatol Crimes, and under the
rules and articles of War punishable by Death,
Alexander Willard was brought foward Charged with "Lying
down and Sleeping on his post whilst a Sentinal, on the
night of the 11th. Instant" (by John Ordway Sergeant of the
Guard)
To this Charge the prisoner pleads. Guilty of Lying Down,
and not Guilty, of Going to Sleep. The Court after Duly
Considering the evidence aduced, are of oppinion that the
Prisoner Alexdn. Willard is guilty of every part of the
Charge exhibited against him. it being a breach of the rules
and articles of War (as well as tending to the probable
distruction of the party) do Sentence him to receive One
hundred lashes on his bear back, at four different times in
equal propation.- and order that the punishment Commence
this evening at Sunset, and Continue to be inflicted, (by
the Guard) every evening untill Completed Wm Clark M. Lewis
[Clark, July 13, 1804]
My notes of the 13th of July - by a Most unfortunate
accident blew over Board in a Storm in the morning of the
14th obliges me to refur to the Journals of Serjeants, and
my own recollection the accurrences Courses Distance &c. of
that day- last night a violent Storm from the N. N, E.-(1)
passed Tar-ki-o River, at 2 miles a chant. running into this
river 3 ms. abov forms St Josephs Isld. Passed an elegt
Prarie in the 1st bend to the left. Containg a grass resmlg
Timothy, with Seed like flax, (2) passed a Island in a bend
to the S. S. at 12 ms. I walked on Shore S. S. lands, low &
overflows, Killed two Goslings nearly Grown, Sailed under a
Wind from the South all day, Camped on a Sand Island on the
L. Pt. opposit a high & extensiv Prarie, on the S. S. the
Hills about 4 or 5 me. off, this Plain appears extensive,
great appearance of a Storm from the North W. this evening
verry agreeable the wind Still from the South-
from the Osagies Nation with twenty odd of the Natives or
chiefs of the Nation with him sailed dowen the Mississippi
bound to St Louis & 3 guns fired showers of rain Showers of
Rain all that night
[Clark, July 13, 1804]
July 13th Friday 1804 - Set out at Sun rise, and prosd. on
under a gentle Breeze, at two miles passed the mouth of a
Small river on the S. S. Called by the Indians Tarki-o, a
Channel running out of the river three miles above (which is
now filled up with Sand) runs into this Creek & and formed a
Island Called St.
Josephs Several Sand bars parralel to each other above- In
the first bend to the left is Situated a Butifull &
extensive plain, Cover'd with Grass resembling Timothy
except the Seed which resembles Flax Seed, this plain also
abounds in Grapes of defferent Kinds Some nearly ripe. I
Killed two Goslings nearly Grown, Several others Killed and
cought on Shore, also one old Goose, with pin fethers, She
Could not fly- at about 12 miles passd. a Island Situated in
a bend on the S. S. above this Island is a large Sand bar
Covered with willows. The wind from the South, Camped on a
large Sand Bar makeing out from the L. P. opposit a high
hanson Prarie, the hills about 4 or 5 miles on S. S. this
plain appeard extensive, the Clouds appear to geather to the
N. W. a most agreeable Breeze from the South (I walked on
Shore on the S. S. the lands are low Subject to overflow)
Last night at about 10 oClock a violent Storm of wind from
the N. N. E. which lasted with Great violence for about one
hour, at which time a Shower of rain Succeeded.
The men on Shore did not join us this after noon- The river
nearly on a Stand- the high lands on the S. S. has only been
Seen at a Distance above the Nordaway River, those on the S.
L. aproaching the river at every bend, on the Side next to
the river well timbered, the opsd. Side open & the Commencmt.
of Plains.
[Clark, July 14, 1804]
July the 14th Satturday - Some hard Shours of rain
accompaned with Some wind detained us untill about 7 oClock,
we then Set out and proceeded on about a mile and th
atmispeir became Suddenly darkened by a blak & dismal
looking Cloud, we wer in a Situation, near the upper point
of a Sd. Isd. & the opsd Shore falling in in this Situation
a Violent Storm of Wint from the N, E (passing over an Open
plain, Struck the boat nearly Starboard, quatering, &
blowing down the Current) the exerssions of all our Men who
were out in an instant, aded to a Strong Cable and Anchor
was Scrcely Sufficent to Keep the boat from being thrown up
on the Sand Island, and dashed to peices the Waves dasthed
over on the Side next to the wind the lockers which was
covered with Tarpoling prevented them coming into the boat
untill the Boat was Creaned on the Side from the Wind in
this Situation we continued about 40 minits, the two
perogues about a quater of a mile above, one of them in a
Similer Situation with the Boat, the other under the charge
of George Gibson in a much better position, with her Ster
faceing the wind, this Storm Suddenly Seased, & 1 minit the
river was as Smoth as glass, the wind Shifted to the S. E
and we Set Sail, and proceeded on passed (1) a Small Island
on the S. S. and Dined- R. Fields who has charge of the
horses &c. on Shore did not join us last night-. passed a
old fort where Mr. Bennet of St Louis winttered 2 years &
traded with the Otteaus & Parties on the S. S. 1 me. abov
the little Island, I went out on the L. S. and observed two
Elk on a land in the river, in attempting to get near those
elk obseved one near us I Shot one. continued on Shore &
thro the bottom which was extensive, Some Small Praries, and
a peponce of high rich & well timbered bottom, in the Glades
I saw wild Timothy, Lams quarter Cuckle burs & rich weed, on
the edges Plumbs of different kinds Grapes, and Goose
berries, Camped on the L. S. Ruben Fields and Gulrich joined
the Party two men unwell, one a Felin on his finger, river
fall
[Clark, July 14, 1804]
July 14th, Satturday 1804 - Some hard Showers of rain this
morning prevented our Setting out untill 7 oClock, at half
past Seven, the atmispr. became Sudenly darkened by a black
and dismal looking Cloud, at the time we were in a Situation
(not to be bettered) near the upper point of the Sand
Island, on which we lay, and the opposit Shore, the bank was
falling in and lined with Snags as far as we could See
down,-. in this Situation The Storm which passd over an open
Plain from the N. E. Struck the our boat on the Starbd.
quarter, and would have thrown her up on the Sand Island
dashed to peces in an Instant, had not the party leeped out
on the Leward Side and kept her off with the assistance of
the ancker & Cable, untill the Storm was over, the waves
Dashed over her windward Side and She must have filled with
water if the Lockers which is covered with Tarpoling & Threw
of the water & prevented any quantity Getting into Bilge of
the Boat
In this Situation we continued about 40 Minits. when the
Storm Sudenly Seased and the river become Instancetaniously
as Smoth as Glass.
The two perogus dureing this Storm was in a Similar
Situation with the boat about half a mile above- The wind
Shifted to the S. E & We Saled up passed a Small (1) Isld.
Situated on the S. S. and Dined & Continud two hours, men
examine their arms- about a Mile above this Island, passed a
Small Tradeing fort on the S. S. where, Mr. Bennet of St.
Louis Traded with the Otteaus & Panies two years. I went on
Shore to Shoot Some Elk on a Sand bar to the L. S. I fired
at one but did not get him, went out into a large extensive
bottom the greater part of which overflows, the part that
dose not overflow, is rich and well timbered, Some Small
open Praries near the hills, the Boat passed the lower part
of a large Island Situated on the S. S. above the Lower
point of this Island on the S. S. a (2) large Creek corns
into the river Called by the Maha's Indians
Neesh-nah-ba-to-na 50 yds this is a considerable Creek
nearly as large as the Mine River, and runs parrelel with
the Missouri, the Greater part of its Course. In those Small
Praries or glades I saw wild Timothey, lambs-quarter, Cuckle
burs; & rich weed. on the edges Grows Sumr. Grapes, Plum's,
& Gooseberries. I Joined the boat which had Came to and
Camped in a bend opposd. the large Island before mentioned
on the L. S. Several men unwell with Boils, Felns, &c. The
river falls a little.
[Clark, July 15, 1804]
July 15th Sunday 1804. - a heavy fog this morning which
Detained us untill 7 oClock, put Drewyer Sgt. Floyd on
Shore, at 9 I took two Men and went on Shore, with a view to
Kill Some elk, passed thro open plains, and barroney lands
Crossed three butifull Small Streams of water, Saw great
quantity of Cherres Plums, Grapes & Berries of Difft. Kinds,
the lands Generally of a good quallity, on the Streams the
wood escapes the fire, at about 7 miles I Struck the river
at the mouth Ne ma har Creek about 40 yds wide, near this
Creek on a high part of the Prarie I had a extensive View of
the river & Countrey on both Sides. on S. a contnuation of
the plain as far as I could See, on the N. a bottom Prarie
of about 5 ms. wide & 18 or 20 long, hills back of this
Plain. I Swam across the Creek and waited for the Boat about
three miles above, we camped opsd. an Island.
[Clark, July 15, 1804]
July 15th, Sunday - a heavy Fog this morning prevented our
Setting out before 7 oClock, at nine I took two men and
walked on the L. S. I crossed three butifull Streems of
runnig water heading in the Praries on those Streem the
lands verry fine covered with pea Vine & rich weed the high
Praries are also good land Covered with Grass entirely void
of timber except what grows on the water, I proceeded on
thro those praries Several miles to the mouth of a large
Creek on the L. S. called (2) Ne ma har this is a Small
river, about 100 yds. above the mouth it is 40 yards wide,
at the mouth (as all other Creeks & rivers falling into the
Missourie are) much narrower than a little distance up.
after continueing at the mouth of this Creek about an hour,
I Swam across and proceeded on about 3 miles and halted to
wate for the boat, which was Some distance below- In all
this days march thro woods & Praries, I only Saw three Deer
& 3 fawns- I had at one part of the Prarie a verry extensive
view of all the Countrey around up and down the river a
Considerable distance, on the Larbd. Sd. one Continul Plain,
on the S. S. Some timber on the bank of the river, for a
Short distance back of this timber is a bottom Plain of four
or five miles back to the hills and under the hills between
them & the river this plain appeared to extend 20 or 30
miles, those Hills have but little timber, and the Plain
appears to Continu back of them- I Saw Great quantities of
Grapes, Plums, or 2 Kinds wild Cherries of 2 Kinds,
Hazelnuts, and Goosberries.
we Camped in a point of woods on the Larboard S. opsd. a
large Island.
[Lewis, July 15, 1804]
Sunday July 15th - This evening I discovered that my
Chronometer had stoped, nor can I assign any cause for this
accedent; she had been wound up the preceding noon as usual.
This is the third instance in which this instrument has
stopt in a similar manner since she nas been in my
possession, tho the first only since our departure from the
River Dubois. in the two preceding cases when she was again
set in motion, and her rate of going determined by a series
of equal altitudes of the sun taken for that purpose, it was
found to be the same precisely as that mentioned in the
preliminary remarks to these observations, or 15 s & 5
tenths too slow in 24 h-as her rate of going after stoping,
and begin again set in motion has in two instances proved to
be the same, I have concluded, that whatever this impediment
may procede from, it is not caused by any material injury
which her works have sustained, and that when she is in
motion, her error on mean time above stated, may be depended
on as accurate. In consequence of the chronometer's having
thus accedentally stoped, I determined to come too at the
first convenient place and make such observations as were
necessary to ascertain her error, establish the Latitude &
Longitude, and determine the variation of the nedle, in
order to fix a second point of departure.
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806