[Clark, June 25, 1804]
Monday June 25th - a heavy fog Detaind us about an hour Set
out passed the Isd on a course from the last point S 49° W,
3 Ms to a point on the S. S. S 55° W 1/2 Me. S. S. a
Coal-Bank on the opposit or L. S Side, this bank appears to
Contain great quantity of excellente CoaL the wind from the
N. W a Small Creek Called Coal or (Chabonea)3 N 50° W to the
Pt, L. S. 31/2 Miles Hard water & logs, Bank falling in,
Passed a Small Creek L. S. Called Labeenie a Prarie is
Situated on the S. S. a Short Distance from the river, which
contains great quantities of wild apples of the Size of the
Common apple, the French Say is well flavered when ripe,
which is the time the leaves begin to fall N 70°W 1/2 me.
along the right Side of a Willow Isd. Situated on the L.
Side S. 80° W 1/2 me. L. S. S 55° W. 1/2 me. to Pt. of Smal
Isd. L. S. S 15° W 1/2 me. L. S.- S. 2° E 2 me. pt on Lbd S.
(here I will only remark that the Deer in the Morning &
evening are feeding in great numbers on the banks of the
River, they feed on young willow, and amuse themselves
running on the open beeches or points) We have hard water
this afternoon round the heads of Small Islds. on the L.
Side below a Small High Prarie S. 48° W. 2 Ms. pt. S. S.
passd. a small Isd. on which we Camped The party on Shore
did not join us to day, or have we Seen or her of them river
falling fast about 8 Inches in 24 hours, the Hills on the L.
S. this evening higher than usial about 160 or 180 feet. the
lands appear of a Simalier to those passed
[Clark, June 25, 1804]
25th, June Monday - a thick fog detained us untile 8 oClock,
passed a Island, at 3 miles passed a Coal-mine, or Bank of
Stone Coal, on the South Side, this bank appears to Contain
great quantity of fine Coal, the river being high prevented
our Seeeing that contained in the Cliffs of the best
quallity, a Small Creek mouth's below This bank Call'd after
the bank Chabonea Creek the Wind from the N. W. passed a
Small Creek on the L. Side at 12 oClock, Called Bennet's
Creek The Praries Come within a Short distance of the river
on each Side which Contains in addition to Plumbs
Raspberries & vast quantities of wild apples, great numbs.
of Deer are seen feeding on the young willows & earbage in
the Banks and on the Sand bars in the river. our party on
Shores did not join us this evening we Camped on an Island
Situated on the S. Side, opposit some hills higher than
Common, Say 160 or 180 feet above the Bottom. The river is
Still falling last night it fell 8 Inches
[Clark, June 26, 1804]
June 26th Tuesday 1804 - we Set out early, the river falling
a little, the wind from the S. W. Passed the mouth of a
Small river on the L. Side above the upper point of a Small
Island, Called Blue water river, this river heads in Praries
back with the Mine River about 30 yds. wide Lattitude of a
pt. 4 ms. above this river is 38° 32' 15" North, the high
lands which is on the Northe Side does not exceed 80 feet
high, at this Place the river appears to be Confd. in a
verry narrow Channel, and the Current Still more So by
Couenter Current or Whirl on one Side & high bank on the
other, passed a Small Isd. in the bend to the L. Side we
Killed a large rattle Snake, Sunning himself in the bank
passed a bad Sand bar, where our tow rope broke twice, &
with great exertions we rowed round it and Came to & Camped
in the Point above the Kansas River lobserved a great number
of Parrot queets this evening, our Party Killed Several 7
Deer to day
[Clark, June 27, 1804]
June 27th, Wednesday - a fair warm morning, the river rose a
little last night. we determin to delay at this Place three
or four Days to make observations & recruit the party
Several men out Hunting, unloaded one Perogue, and turned
her up to Dry with a view of repairing her after Completeing
a Strong redoubt or brest work frome one river to the other,
of logs & Bushes Six feet high, The Countrey about the mouth
of this river is verry fine on each Side as well as the
North of the Missouries the bottom, in the Point is low, &
overflown for 250 yards. it rises a little above high water
mark and Continus up that hight of good quallity back to the
hills ____ A high Clift, on the upper Side of the Kansis 1/2
a mile up below the Kanses the hills is about 11/2 miles
from the point on the North Side of the Missouries the Hill
or high lands is Several miles back, we compareed the
instrmts Took equal altitudes, and the Meridian altituade of
the Suns L L to day Lattitude 38° 31' 13" Longitude ____
Measured The width of the Kansas River by an angle and made
it 230 yds 1/4 wide, it is wider above the mouth the
Missouries at this place is about 500 yards wide, The Course
from the Point down the midle. of the Missourie is S. 32° E,
& turns to the North. up is N 21°W. up the right side of the
Kansas is S. 54° E, & the river turns to the left, Several
Deer Killed to day.
[Clark, June 28, 1804]
28 June Thursday - took equal altitudes &c. &c. &c. &
varaitian of the Compass repaired the Perogue Cleaned out
the Boat Suned our Powder wollen articles examined every
thing 8 or 10 huntrs. out to day in different direction, in
examineing our private Store of Provisions we found Several
articles Spoiled from the wet or dampness they had received,
a verry warm Day, the wind from the South, The river
Missourie has raised yesterday last night & to day about 2
foot. this evening it is on a Stand, Capt. Lewis weighed the
water of the Two rivers The Missouris 78° The Kansais 72° To
Describe the most probable of the various accounts of this
great river of the Kansas, would be too lengthy & uncertain
to insert here, it heads with the river Del Norid in the
black Mountain or ridge which Divides the waters of the
Kansas Del Nord, & Callarado & oppsoitly from those of the
Missoureis (and not well assertaind) This River recves its
name from a nation which dwells at this time on its banks &
2 villages one about 20 Leagues & the other 40 Leagues up,
those Indians are not verry noumerous at this time, reduced
by war with their neighbours, &c. they formerly liveid on
the South banks of the Missouries 24 Leagues above this
river in a open & butifull plain and were verry noumerous at
the time the french first Settled the Illinois, I am told
they are a fierce & warlike people, being badly Supplied
with fire arms, become easily conquered by the Aiauway &
Saukees who are better furnished with those materials of
war, This nation is now out in the plains hunting the
Buffalow our hunters Killed Several Deer and Saw Buffalow,
men impd Dressing Skins & makeing themselves Comfortable,
the high lands Coms to the river Kanses on the upper Side at
about a mile, full in view, and a butifull place for a fort,
good landing place, the waters of the Kansas is verry
disigreeably tasted to me.
[Clark, June 29, 1804]
29th of June 1804, - Set out from the Kansas river 1/2 past
4 oClock, proceeded on passed a Small run on the L. S. at
1/2 Mile a (1) Island on the S. S. at 11/2 me. Hills above
the upr. pt of Isd. L. S. a large Sand bar in the middle.
Passed a verry bad place of water, the Sturn of the Boat
Struck a moveing Sand & turned within 6 Inches of a large
Sawyer, if the Boat had Struck the Sawyer, her Bow must have
been Knocked off & in Course She must hav Sunk in the Deep
water below Came to & camped on the S. S. late in the
eveninge.
[Clark, June 29, 1804]
29th June Friday - obsvd. the distance of (D & )) ,took
Equal & maridinal altd. and after makeing Some arrangements,
and inflicting a little punishment to two men we Set out at
1/2 past 4 oClock and proceeded on (i ) passed a large
Island on the S. Side, opposit a large Sand bar, the Boat
turned and was within Six Inches of Strikeing the rapidity
with which the Boat turned was so great that if her bow had
Struck the Snag, She must have either turned over or the bow
nocked off S W wind
[Clark, June 29, 1804]
Camp mouth of the Kanseis June 29th 1804. - Ordered a Court
martial will Set this day at 11 oClock, to Consist of five
members, for the trial of John Collins and Hugh Hall,
Confined on Charges exhibited against them by Sergeant
Floyd, agreeable to the articles of War.
Detail for the Court
Sergt Nat. Pryor presd.
mbs:
2 John Colter
3 John Newmon
4 Pat. Gass
1 J. B. Thompson
John Potts to act as judge advocate.
The Court Convened agreeable to order and proceeded to the
trial of the Prisoners Viz John Collins Charged "with
getting drunk on his post this morning out of whiskey put
under his Charge as a Sentinal and for Suffering Hugh Hall
to draw whiskey out of the Said Barrel intended for the
party"
To this Charge the prisoner plead not guilty.
The Court after mature deliveration on the evidence abduced
&c. are of oppinion that the prisoner is Guilty of the
Charge exibited against him, and do therefore Sentence him
to recive one hundred Lashes on his bear Back.
Hugh Hall was brought with "takeing whiskey out of a Keg
this morning which whiskey was Stored on the Bank (and under
the Charge of the guard) Contrary to all order, rule, or
regulation"
To this Charge the prisoner "Pleades Guilty."
The Court find the prisoner guilty and Sentence him to
receive fifty Lashes on his bear Back.
The Commanding Officers approve of the Sentence of the Court
and orders that the Punishment take place at half past three
this evening, at which time the party will Parrade for
inspection-
[Clark, June 29, 1804]
at the Mouth of the River Kansies June 26" 27" 28 & 29th -
This river is 366 miles above the mouth of Missouri it is in
Lattitude 38° 31' 13" North
it is 230 yds. wide at its mouth & wider above from the
point up the Missourie for about 3 ms. N. 21° W, Down the
Middle of the Missourie is S. 32° E, up the upper bank of
the Kansais, is S. 54° E the river turns to the East above a
pt. of high land, well Situated for a fort & in view of the
Missouris one mile up & on the upper Side, the width of the
Missouris at this place is about 500 yds.
Missourie Water weighs 78. The Kanseis weghs 72 river Miss
raised in the time at the Kanseis 2 foot and begun to fall.
The wood land on each side of the Mouth of this river is
extensive and of a good quallity as far as our hunters was
back, but badly watered with Springs, only two being Seen by
them
Some punishment of two men Hall & Collins for takeing
whiskey out of the Barrel last night agreeable to the
Sentences of a Court Mtl of the party who we have always
found verry ready to punish Such Crimes
Many Deer Killed to day
Allarm post or order of Battle arms to be Situated & the
Duty &c. Messes of men under a Serjiant who is to detail for
every day one man of his Squad to Cook &c. who Shall have
the management of the provisions dureing that day or issue,
each Days rations must be divided &c. &c Order of
encampment, Tents, fires & Duty
[Clark, June 30, 1804]
30th June, - Set out verry early this Morng Saw a verry
large wolf on the Sand bar this morning walking near a gange
of Turkeys (1) at 10 miles above the Kansis passed the mouth
of a Small River Call the (Petite Plate) or the little Shole
river, this river is about 70 yds. Wide and has Several
rapids & falls, well Calculatd for mills, the land on this
river is Said to be Roaling, Killed 2 Deer Bucks Swinging
the river the wind from the S. W. here we opened the Bag of
Bread given us by which we found verry good, our Bacon which
was given us by we examined and found Sound and good Some of
that purchased in the Illinois Spoiled, a relish of this old
bacon this morning was verry agreeable, Deer to be Seen in
every direction and their tracks ar as plenty as Hogs about
a farm, our hunts. Killed 9 Deer to day the land below the
last river is good, that above, between the two rivers which
is near together is Slaik'y and bad on the N. Side, the
other Side is good land, Landed on the L. S. below an Isd
called Dimond Island
[Clark, June 30, 1804]
30th June Satturday 1804 - Set out verry early this morning,
a verry large wolf Came to the bank and looked at us this
morning, passd the (1) mouth of a Small river 10 ms. above
the Kanseis Called by the french Petite River Platte (or
Shoal river) from the number of falls in it, this river is
about 60 yards wide at its mouth and runs Parrilel with the
Missouries for ten or twelve miles, I am told that the lands
on this Small river is good, and on its Several falls well
Calculated for mills, the wind from S. W. came to at 12
oClock & rested three hours, the ... being hot the men becom
verry feeble, Farnsts. Thermometer at 3 oClock Stood at 96°
above 0, emence numbs. of Deer on the banks, Skipping in
every derection, the party Killed nine Bucks on the river &
Bank to day, The Countrey on the S. S. between the Shoal
River & Missouris is indifferent Subject to overflow, that
below and on the L. S. is high & appers well timbered,
Camped on the L. S. opsd. the Lower point of a Isd. Called
diamond Island, Broke our mast
[Clark, July 1, 1804]
July 1st 1804, - last night one of the Sentinals Chang'd
either a man or Beast, which run off, all prepared for
action, Set out early passed the Dimond Isd. pass a Small
Creek on the L. S. as this Creek is without name we Call it
Biscuit Creek Brackfast on the upper point of a Sand beech,
The river still falling a little a verry warm Day. I took
Some medison last night which has worked me very much party
all in helth except Boils-
passed a Sand bar in the river above the Isd. Covered for a
me. with Drift Wood, Came to Capt Lewis took Medn. altitude
& we delayed three hours, the day being excessively hot,
Turkeys are plenty on the Shore, G. Drewyer inform that he
Saw PueCanns Trees on S. S. yesterday great quantities of
raspburies an Grapes, (2) pass a Creek on the L. S. called
remore (Tree Frog) Creek, an Isd above in the Mid. and 2
Willow Isds on the S. S. all of the Same name; The two
Willow Isds. has been made within 3 years & the Main Chant.
runs now on the L S. of the large Island where there was no
runing water at low water from this Island the range of
Hills up the river to the N, W, pass a run on the L. S. a
Butifull extensive Prarie, Two Islands just above Called
(Isles des Parques) or Field Islands, those Islands are, one
of our French hands tels me that the French intended to
Settle here once & brought their Cows and put them on those
Islands, Mr Mackey Says the first village of the Kanseis was
a little above this Island & made use of as fields, no trace
of anything of that Kind remains to be Seen on the Isds.
fine Land on the L. Side, Hills near the river all day,
Camped on the lower pot. of 1st Isd.-
[Clark, July 1, 1804]
July 1st, Sunday 1804 - a Small allarm last night all
prepared for action, Set out early this morning passed on
the North Side of Dimond Island, a Small Creek mouths
opposit I call Biscuit Creek,- a large Sand bar in the
middle of the river 11/2 ms. above the Isd. Covered with
Drift wood. river fall a little. The wind from S. W. Came to
above this Drift and delayed three hours to refresh the men
who were verry much over powered with the heat, Great
quantity of Grapes & raspberries, (2) passed a Small Creek
on the L. S. below one large and two small Islands. This
Creek and Isds. are Called Remore (or Tree Frog) a large
Pond on the S. S., the main Current of Water run'g on the L.
S. of the Island, I am told that Three years ago the main
Current run on the S. S. of the Island and no appearance of
the two Smaller Islands, Camped on the lower point of one of
the two large & 2 Small Isds. Called Isles des Parques or
field Islds a high butifull Prarie on the L. S. one of the
french hands Says "that the french Kept their Cattle &
horses on those Islands at the time they had in this quarter
a fort & trading establishment."
paecaun Trees Seen on the S. S. Deer and turkeys in great
quantities on the bank
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806