[Clark, May 21, 1804]
Monday 21st May - Dine with Mr. Ducete & Set out from St.
Charles at three oClock after getting every matter arranged,
proceeded on under a jentle Breese, at one mile a Violent
rain with Wind from the S. W. we landed at the upper point
of the first Island on the Stbd Side & Camped, Soon after it
commenced raining & continued the greater part of the night;
3 french men got leave to return to Town, and return early (refur
to Fig. 2.)
25st refured to fig. 2 Left St. Charles May 21st 1804.
Steered N. 15° W 13/4 Ms N 52°W to the upper point of the
Island and Camped dureing a rain which had been falling half
an hour, opposit this Isd. Corns in a Small creek on the St.
Sd. and at the head one on the Ld. Side rains powerfully.
[Clark, May 21, 1804]
May 21st 1804 Monday - All the forepart of the Day Arranging
our party and prcureing the different articles necessary for
them at this place- Dined with Mr. Ducett and Set out at
half passed three oClock under three Cheers from the
gentlemen on the bank and proceeded on to the head of the
Island (which is Situated on the Stbd Side) 3 miles Soon
after we Set out to day a hard Wind from the W. S W
accompanied with a hard rain, which lasted with Short
intervales all night, opposit our Camp a Small creek corns
in on the Lbd Side-
[Clark, May 22, 1804]
Tuesday May 22nd - delayed a Short time for the three french
men who returned and we Set out at 6 oClock a Cloudy morning
rained Violently hard last night Saw Several people on the
bank to day & passed Several Small farms. Capt. Lewis walk
on Shore a little & passed a Camp of Kickapoo Indians, &
incamped in the mouth of a Small Creek in a large Bend on
the Stbd Side.
[Clark, May 22, 1804]
May 22nd Tuesday - 1804 a Cloudy morning Delay one hour for
4 french men who got liberty to return to arrange Some
business they had forgotten in Town, at 6 oClock we
proceeded on, passed Several Small farms on the bank, and a
large creek on the Lbd. Side Called Bonom a Camp of
Kickapoos on the St. Side Those Indians told me Several days
ago that they would Come on & hunt and by the time I got to
their Camp they would have Some Provisions for us, we Camped
in a Bend at the Mo. of a Small creek, Soon after we came
too the Indians arrived with 4 Deer as a Present, for which
we gave them two qts. of whiskey-
This Day we passed Several Islands, and Some high lands on
the Starboard Side, Verry hard water.
[Clark, May 23, 1804]
Wednesday May 23rd - 8 Indians Kick. Came to Camp with meat
we recved their pesents of 3 Deer & gave them Whisky.
Set out early run on a log under water and Detained one hour
proceeded on the Same Course of last night, (2 miles) passed
the mouth of a creek on the Sbd. Side called Woman of Osage
River about 30 yds. over, abounding in fish, Stoped one hour
where their was maney people assembled to See us, halted at
an endented part of a Rock which juted over the water,
Called by the french the tavern which is a Cave 40 yds. long
with the river 4 feet Deep & about 20 feet high, this is a
place the Indians & french Pay omage to, many names are
wrote up on the rock Mine among others, at one mile above
this rock coms in a small Creek called Tavern Creek, abov
one other Small Creek, camped at 6 oClock (after expirencing
great dificuselty in passing Some Drifts) on the Stb Side,
examined the mens arms found all in good order except the
Detachment of Solds in the Perogue- R Field Killed a Deer.
[Clark, May 23, 1804]
May 23rd - Course of last night S 75 W Contined 2 miles to
the Said point St. Side passed the upper Point of the Island
Thence S 52° W. 7 Miles to a pt. on St. Sd. passing Tavern
Island two Small Isd. in a bend to the St. side the Mo. of
Oge womans River at 1 m. the Cave Called the Tavern, Lbd
Side at 5 m. Situated in the Clifts, opposit a Small Island
on the Stbd Side (R. & Jo. Fields came in) with many people,
passed the Tavern Cave, Capt Lewis assended the hill which
has peninsulis projecting in raged points to the river, and
was near falling from a Peninsulia hard water all Day Saved
himself by the assistance of his Knife, passed a Creek 15
yds. wide at 1 mile called Creek of the Tavern on the Lbd.
Side, Camped opposit the pt. which the Last Course was to.
one man Sick.
[Clark, May 23, 1804]
May 23rd Wednesday - 1804 We Set out early ran on a Log and
detained one hour, proceeded the Course of Last night 2
Miles to the mouth of a Creek on the Stbd. Side Called Osage
Womans R, about 30 yds. wide, opposit a large Island and a
Settlement. (on this Creek 30 or 40 famlys are Settled)
Crossed to the Settlemt. and took in R & Jo. Fields who had
been Sent to purchase Corn & Butter &c. many people Came to
See us, we passed a large Cave on the Lbd. Side about 120
feet wide 40 feet Deep & 20 feet high many different immages
are Painted on the Rock at this place. the Inds & French pay
omage. many hams are wrote on the rock, Stoped about one
mile above for Capt Lewis who had assended the Clifts which
is at the Said Cave 300 fee high, hanging over the Water,
the water excessively Swift to day, we incamped below a
Small Isld. in the Meadle of the river, Sent out two
hunters, one Killed a Deer
This evening we examined the arms and amunition found those
mens arms in the perogue in bad order a fair evening Capt.
Lewis near falling from the Pencelia of rocks 300 feet, he
caught at 20 foot.
[Clark, May 24, 1804]
Thursday May the 24th - 1804 Set out early passed a Small
Isd in the Midlle of the river, opposit the on the Lbd. Side
is projecting Rock of 1/2 a mile in extent against which the
Current runs, this place is called the Devils race grounds,1
above this Coms in a Small Creek called the little quiver, a
Sand Island on the Stbd Side, passed Several Islands & 2
creeks, on the Stbd Side a Small Island on the Lbd Side
above we wer verry near loseing our Boat in Toeing She
Struck the Sands the Violence of the Current was so great
that the Toe roap Broke, the Boat turned Broadside, as the
Current Washed the Sand from under her She wheeled & lodged
on the bank below as often as three times, before we got her
in Deep water, nothing Saved her but
[Clark, May 24, 1804]
May 24th - Set out early, Killed a Deer last night. examined
the mens arms, & Saw that all was prepared for action,
passed an Island in the M. R, opposit a hard place of water
called the Devill race grown, S 63° W 4 miles to a point on
the Sd. Starboard Side N 68 W to a point on Lbd Side 3 ms.
Passd. a Small Willow Island on the Lbd. Side to the point
of a Isd. L Side- S 75° W to a point on Stbd Side 3 Miles,
Passed the upper point of the Island. Crossed and in a verry
bad place we got our Boat a ground & She Bocke the Toe Roap
& turned the Land, the in Wheeling three times, got off
returned to the head of the aforesaid Island, and Came up
under a falling Bank. hard water this place being the worst
I ever Saw, I call it the retregrade bend. Camped at an old
house.
[Clark, May 24, 1804]
May 24th Thursday - 1804 Set out early passed a Verry bad
part of the River Called the Deavels race ground, this is
where the Current Sets against Some projecting rocks for
half a mile on the Labd. Side, above this place is the mouth
of a Small Creek Called queivere, passed Several Islands,
two Small Creeks on the Stbd. Side, and passed between a
Isld. an the Lbd. Shore a narrow pass above this Isld is a
Verry bad part of the river, we attempted to pass up under
the Lbd. Bank which was falling in So fast that the evident
danger obliged us to Cross between the Starbd. Side and a
Sand bar in the middle of the river, we hove up near the
head of the Sand bar, the Sand moveing & banking caused us
to run on the Sand. The Swiftness of the Current wheeled the
boat, Broke our Toe rope, and was nearly over Setting the
boat, all hand jumped out on the upper Side and bore on that
Side untill the Sand washed from under the boat and wheeled
on the next bank by the time She wheeled a 3rd Time got a
rope fast to her Stern and by the means of Swimmers was
Carred to Shore and when her Stern was down whilst in the
act of Swinging a third time into Deep water near the Shore,
we returned, to the Island where we Set out and assended
under the Bank which I have just mentioned, as falling in,
here George Drewyer & Willard, two of our men who left us at
St. Charles to Come on by land joined us, we Camped about 1
mile above where we were So nearly being lost, on the Labd
Side at a Plantation. all in Spirits. This place I call the
retragrade bend as we were obliged to fall back 2 miles
[Clark, May 25, 1804]
25 May - Set out early Course West to a Point on Sbd. Side
at 2 Miles passd a Willow Isd. in a Bend to the Lbd. a creek
called wood rivr Lbd. Side N 57° W. to a pt. on the Sb. Side
3 Miles passed the Mouth of a Creek St. Side Called Le
quever, this Same course continued to a Point Ld. Side 21/2
Miles further. opposit a Isd. on Sd Side Passed a Creek
Called R. La freeau at the pt. N 20° W 2 miles To a Small
french Village called La Charatt of five families only, in
the bend to the Starbord This is the Last Settlement of
Whites, an Island opposit
[Clark, May 25, 1804]
May 25th Friday 1804 - rain last night river fall Several
inches, Set out early psd. Several Islands passed wood River
on the Lbd Side at 2 miles passed Creek on the St. Side
Called La Querer at 5 miles passed a Creek at 8 mile, opsd.
an Isd. on the Lbd Side, Camped at the mouth of a Creek
called River a Chauritte, above a Small french Village of 7
houses and as many families, Settled at this place to be
convt. to hunt, & trade with the Indians, here we met with
Mr. Louisell imedeately down from the Seeeder Isld. Situated
in the Countrey of the Suxex 400 Leagues up he gave us a
good Deel of information Some letters he informed us that he
Saw no Indians on the river below the Poncrars- Some hard
rain this evening
The people at this Village is pore, houses Small, they Sent
us milk & eggs to eat.
[Clark, May 26, 1804]
May 26th 1804. - Set out at 7 oClock after a hard rain &
Wind, & proceed on verry well under Sale. Wind from the E N
E
The wind favourable to day we made 18 miles a Cloud rais &
wind & rain Closed the Day
[Clark, May 26, 1804]
May the 26th Sattarday 1804. - Set out at 7 oClock after a
heavy Shour of rain (George Drewyer & John Shields, Sent by
Land with the two horses with directions to proceed on one
day & hunt the next) The wind favourable from the E N E
passed Beef Island and river on Lbd Side at 31/2 Ms Passed a
Creek on the Lbd. Side Called Shepperds Creek, passed
Several Islands to day great Deal of Deer Sign on the Bank
one man out hunting, w Camped on an Island on the Starboard
Side near the Southern extrem of Luter Island.
[Lewis, May 26, 1804]
Detatchment Orders. May 26th 1804. - The Commanding Officers
direct, that the three Squads under the command of Sergts.
Floyd Ordway and Pryor heretofore forming two messes each,
shall untill further orders constitute three messes only,
the same being altered and organized as follows (viz)
1 Sergt. Charles Floyd. (1)
Privates:
2 Hugh McNeal
3 Patric Gass
4 Reubin Fields (2)
5 John B Thompson
+ 6 John Newman
7 Richard Winsor
+ Francis Rivet &
8 Joseph Fields (3)
9 Sergt. John Ordway.
Privates.
10 William Bratton (4)
11 John Colter (5)
X 12 Moses B. Reed
13 Alexander Willard
14 William Warner
15 Silas Goodrich
16 John Potts &
17 Hugh Hall
18 Sergt. Nathaniel Pryor. (6)
Privates.
19 George Gibson (7)
20 George Shannon (8)
21 John Shields (9)
22 John Collins
23 Joseph Whitehouse
24 Peter Wiser
F 25 Peter Crusat &
F 26 Francis Labuche
The commanding officers further direct that the remainder of
the detatchmen shall form two messes; and that the same be
constituded as follows. (viz)
Patroon, Baptist Dechamps
Engages
Etienne Mabbauf
Paul Primaut
Charles Hébert
Baptist La Jeunesse
Peter Pinaut
Peter Roi &
Joseph Collin
1 Corpl. Richard Warvington.
Privates.
2 Robert Frasier
3 John Boleye
4 John Dame
5 Ebinezer Tuttle &
6 Isaac White
The Commanding officers further direct that the messes of
Sergts. Floyd, Ordway and Pryor shall untill further orders
form the crew of the Batteaux; the Mess of the Patroon La
Jeunesse will form the permanent crew of the red Perogue;
Corpl. Warvington's mess forming that of the white perogue.
Whenever by any casualty it becomes necessary to furnish
additional men to assist in navigating the Perogues, the
same shall be furnished by daily detale from the Privates
who form the crew of Batteaux, exempting only from such
detale, Thomas P. Howard and the men who are assigned to the
two bow and the two stern oars.- For the present one man
will be furnished daily to assist the crew of the white
perogue; this man must be an expert boatman.
The posts and duties of the Sergts. shall be as follows (viz)-
when the Batteaux is under way, one Sergt. shall be
stationed at the helm, one in the center on the rear of the
Starboard locker, and one at the bow. The Sergt. at the
helm, shall steer the boat, and see that the baggage on the
quarterdeck is properly arranged and stowed away in the most
advantageous manner; to see that no cooking utensels or loos
lumber of any kind is left on the deck to obstruct the
passage between the burths- he will also attend to the
compas when necessary.
The Sergt at the center will command the guard, manage the
sails, see that the men at the oars do their duty; that they
come on board at a proper season in the morning, and that
the boat gets under way in due time; he will keep a good
lookout for the mouths of all rivers, creeks, Islands and
other remarkable places and shall immediately report the
same to the commanding officers; he will attend to the
issues of sperituous liquors; he shall regulate the halting
of the batteaux through the day to give the men refreshment,
and will also regulate the time of her departure taking care
that not more time than is necessary shall be expended at
each halt- it shall be his duty also to post a centinel on
the bank, near the boat whenever we come too and halt in the
course of the day, at the same time he will (acompanied by
two his guard) reconnoiter the forrest arround the place of
landing to the distance of at least one hundred paces. when
we come too for the purpose of encamping at night, the Sergt.
of the guard shall post two centinels immediately on our
landing; one of whom shal be posted near the boat, and the
other at a convenient distance in rear of the encampment; at
night the Sergt. must be always present with his guard, and
he is positively forbidden to suffer any man of his guard to
absent himself on any pretext whatever; he will at each
relief through the night, accompanyed by the two men last
off their posts, reconnoiter in every direction around the
camp to the distance of at least one hundred and fifty
paces, and also examine the situation of the boat and
perogues, and see that they ly safe and free from the bank
It shall be the duty of the sergt. at the bow, to keep a
good look out for all danger which may approach, either of
the enimy, or obstructions which may present themselves to
passage of the boat; of the first he will notify the Sergt.
at the center, who will communicate the information to the
commanding officers, and of the second or obstructions to
the boat he will notify the Sergt. at the helm; he will also
report to the commanding officers through the Sergt. at the
center all perogues boats canoes or other craft which he may
discover in the river, and all hunting camps or parties of
Indians in view of which we may pass. he will at all times
be provided with a seting pole and assist the bowsman in
poling and managing the bow of the boat. it will be his duty
also to give and answer all signals, which may hereafter be
established for the government of the perogues and parties
on shore.
The Sergts. will on each morning before our departure
relieve each other in the following manner- The Sergt. at
the helm will parade the new guard, relieve the Sergt. and
the old guard, and occupy the middle station in the boat;
the Sergt. of the old guard will occupy the station at the
bow, and the Sergt. who had been stationed the preceeding
day at the bow will place himself at the helm.- The sergts.
in addition to those duties are directed each to keep a
seperate journal from day today of all passing occurences,
and such other observations on the country &c. as shall
appear to them worthy of notice
The Sergts. are relieved and exempt from all labour of
making fires, pitching tents or cooking, and will direct and
make the men of their several messes perform an equal
propotion of those duties.
The guard shall hereafter consist of one sergeant and six
privates & engages.
Patroon, Dechamp, Copl. Warvington, and George Drewyer, are
exempt from guad duty; the two former will attend
particularly to their perogues at all times, and see that
their lading is in good order, and that the same is kept
perfectly free from rain or other moisture; the latter will
perform certain duties on shore which will be assigned him
from time to time. all other soldiers and engaged men of
whatever discription must perform their regular tour of guad
duty.
All detales for guard or other duty will be made in the
evening when we encamp, and the duty to be performed will be
entered on, by the individuals so warned, the next morning.-
provision for one day will be issued to the party on each
evening after we have encamped; the same will be cooked on
that evening by the several messes, and a proportion of it
reserved for the next day as no cooking will be allowed in
the day while on the mach
Sergt. John Ordway will continue to issue the provisions and
make the detales for guard or other duty.- The day after
tomorrow lyed corn and grece will be issued to the party,
the next day Poark and flour, and the day following indian
meal and poark; and in conformity to that ratiene provisions
will continue to be issued to the party untill further
orders.- should any of the messes prefer indian meal to
flour they may recieve it accordingly- no poark is to be
issued when we have fresh meat on hand.
Labuche and Crusat will man the larboard bow oar
alternately, and the one not engaged at the oar will attend
as the Bows-man, and when the attention of both these
persons is necessary at the bow, their oar is to be maned by
any idle hand on board.
Meriwether Lewis Capt. Wm. Clark Cpt.
[Clark, May 27, 1804]
Sunday May 27th - as we were Setting out this morning two
Canoos loaded with Bever elk Deer Skins & Buffalow Robes,
from the Mahars nation, they inform that they left that
place 2 months, a gentle Breese from the S. E, we camped on
an Isd in the mouth of Gasconade R, this river is 157 yards
wide a butifull stream of clear water. 19 foot Deep Hills on
the lower Side
[Clark, May 27, 1804]
May 27th Sunday 1804 - as we were pushing off this Morning
two Canoos Loaded with fur &c. Came to from the Mahars
nation, which place they had left two months, at about 10
oClock 4 Cajaux or rafts loaded with furs and peltres came
too one from the Paunees, the other from Grand Osage, they
informed nothing of Consequence, passed a Creek on the Lbd
Side Called ash Creek 20 yds wide, passed the upper point of
a large Island on the Stbd Side back of which Comes in three
Creeks one Called Orter Creek, her the men we left hunting
Came in we camped on a Willow Island in the mouth of
Gasconnade River. George Shannon Killed a Deer this evening
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806