[Lewis, September 17, 1804]
Monday September 17th 1804. - Having for many days past
confined myself to the boat, I determined to devote this day
to amuse myself on shore with my gun and view the interior
of the country lying between the river and the Corvus
Creek-accordingly before sunrise I set out with six of my
best hunters, two of whom I dispatched to the lower side of
Corvus creek, two with orders to hunt the bottoms and
woodland on the river, while I retained two others to
acompany me in the intermediate country. one quarter of a
mile in rear of our camp which was situated in a fine open
grove of cotton wood passed a grove of plumb trees loaded
with fruit and now ripe. observed but little difference
between this fruit and that of a similar kind common to the
Atlantic States. the trees are smaller and more thickly set.
this forrest of plumb trees garnish a plain about 20 feet
more lelivated than that on which we were encamped; this
plain extends back about a mile to the foot of the hills one
mile distant and to which it is gradually ascending this
plane extends with the same bredth from the creek below to
the distance of near three miles above parrallel with the
river, and is intirely occupyed by the burrows of the
barking squril hertefore discribed; this anamal appears here
in infinite numbers, and the shortness and virdue of grass
gave the plain the appearance throughout it's whole extent
of beatifull bowlinggreen in fine order. it's aspect is S.
E. a great number of wolves of the small kind, balks and
some pole-cats were to be seen. I presume that those anamals
feed on this squirril.- found the country in every direction
for about three miles intersected with deep reveries and
steep irregular hills of 100 to 200 feet high; at the tops
of these hills the country breakes of as usual into a fine
leavel plain extending as far as the eye can reach. from
this plane I had an extensive view of the river below, and
the irregular hills which border the opposite sides of the
river and creek. the surrounding country had been birnt
about a month before and young grass had now sprung up to
hight of 4 Inches presenting the live green of the spring.
to the West a high range of hills, strech across the country
from N. to S and appeared distant about 20 miles; they are
not very extensive as I could plainly observe their rise and
termination no rock appeared on them and the sides were
covered with virdue similar to that of the plains this
senery already rich pleasing and beatiful, was still farther
hightened by immence herds of Buffaloe deer Elk and
Antelopes which we saw in every direction feeding on the
hills and plains. I do not think I exagerate when I estimate
the number of Buffaloe which could be compreed at one view
to amount to 3000. my object was if possible to kill a
female Antelope having already procured a male; I pursued my
rout on this plain to the west flanked by my two hunters
untill eight in the morning when I made the signal for them
to come to me which they did shortly after. we rested our
selves about half an hour, and regailed ourselves on half a
bisquit each and some jirk of Elk which we had taken the
precaution to put in our pouches in the morning before we
set out, and drank of the water of a small pool which had
collected on this plain from the rains which had fallen some
days before. We had now after various windings in pursuit of
several herds of antelopes which we had seen on our way made
the distance of about eight miles from our camp. we found
the Antelope extreemly shye and watchfull insomuch that we
had been unable to get a shot at them; when at rest they
generally seelect the most elivated point in the
neighbourhood, and as they are watchfull and extreemly quick
of sight and their sense of smelling very accute it is
almost impossible to approach them within gunshot; in short
they will frequently discover and flee from you at the
distance of three miles. I had this day an opportunity of
witnessing the agility and superior fleetness of this anamal
which was to me really astonishing. I had pursued and twice
surprised a small herd of seven, in the first instance they
did not discover me distinctly and therefore did not run at
full speed, tho they took care before they rested to gain an
elivated point where it was impossible to approach them
under cover except in one direction and that happened to be
in the direction from which the wind blew towards them; bad
as the chance to approach them was, I made the best of my
way towards them, frequently peeping over the ridge with
which I took care to conceal myself from their view the
male, of which there was but one, frequently incircled the
summit of the hill on which the females stood in a group, as
if to look out for the approach of danger. I got within
about 200 paces of them when they smelt me and fled; I
gained the top of the eminece on which they stood, as soon
as possible from whence I had an extensive view of the
country the antilopes which had disappeared in a steep
revesne now appeared at the distance of about three miles on
the side of a ridge which passed obliquely across me and
extended about four miles. so soon had these antelopes
gained the distance at which they had again appeared to my
view I doubted at ferst that they were the same that I had
just surprised, but my doubts soon vanished when I beheld
the rapidity of their flight along the ridge before me it
appeared reather the rappid flight of birds than the motion
of quadrupeds. I think I can safely venture the asscertion
that the speed of this anamal is equal if not superior to
that of the finest blooded courser.- this morning I saws
[Clark, September 17, 1804]
17th of Septr. Monday 1804 - above White river Dried all
those articles which had got wet by the last rain, a fine
day Capt Lewis went hunting with a vew to seethe Countrey
&its productions, he was out all Day Killed a Buffalow & a
remarkable bird of the Spicies of Corvus, long tail of a
Greenish Purple, Varigated a Beck like a Crow white round
its neck comeing to a point on its back, its belley white
feet like a Hawk abt. the size of a large Pigeon Capt Lewis
returned at Dark. I took the Meridian & equal altitudes to
day made the Lattitude.
Colter Killed a Goat, & a Curious kind of Deer, a Darker
grey than Common the hair longer & finer, the ears verry
large & long a Small resepitical under its eye its tail
round and white to near the end which is black & like a Cow
in every other respect like a Deer, except it runs like a
goat. large.
The hunters brought in 8 fallow Deer & 5 Common Deer to day,
Great numbers of Buffalow in the Praries, also a light
Coloured woolf Covered with hair & corse fur, also a Small
wolf with a large bushey tail- Some Goats of a Different
Kind Seen to day,- Great many Plumbs, rabits, Porcupines &
barking Squrels, Capt Lewis Killed a rattle Snake in a
village of the Squirel's and Saw a Hair to day. Wind from
the S. W. we finished Drying our Provisions Some of which
was wet and Spoiled,
[Clark, September 17, 1804]
17th of September Monday 1804 - Dried all our wet articles
this fine Day, Capt Lewis went out with a View to see the
Countrey and its productions, he was out all day he killed a
Buffalow and a remarkable Bird of the Corvus Species long
tail the upper part of the feathers & also the wing is of a
purplish variated Green, the black, a part of the wing
feather are white edjed with black, white belley, white from
the root of the wings to Center of the back is white, the
head nake breast & other parts are black the Becke like a
Crow. abt. the Size of a large Pigion. a butifull thing (See
Suplement in No. 3)
I took equal altitudes and a meridian altitude. Capt. Lewis
returned at Dark, Colter Killed a Goat like the one I killed
and a curious kind of deer of a Dark gray Colr. more so than
common, hair long & fine, the ears large & long, a Small
reseptical under the eyes; like an Elk, the Taile about the
length of Common Deer, round (like a Cow) a tuft of black
hair about the end, this Speces of Deer jumps like a goat or
Sheep
8 fallow Deer 5 Common & 3 buffalow killed to day, Capt.
Lewis Saw a hare & Killed a Rattle Snake in a village of B.
squerels The wind from S. W. Dryed our provisions, Some of
which was much Damaged.
[Lewis, September 17, 1804]
Sept. 17th - one of the hunters killed a bird of the Corvus
genus and order of the pica & about the size of a jack-daw
with a remarkable long tale. beautifully variagated. it note
is not disagreeable though loudit is twait twait twait,
twait; twait, twait twait, twait.
F I from tip to tip of wing 1 10 Do. beak to extremity of
tale 1 81/2 of which the tale occupys 1 1 from extremity of
middle toe to hip 51/2
it's head, beak, and neck are large for a bird of it's size;
the beak is black, and of a convex and cultrated figure, the
chops nearly equal, and it's base large and beset with
hairs- the eyes are black encircled with a narrow ring of
yellowish black it's head, neck, brest & back within one
inch of the tale are of a fine glossey black, as are also
the short fathers of the under part of the wing, the thies
and those about the root of the tale. the belly is of a
beatifull white which passes above and arround the but of
the wing, where the feathers being long reach to a small
white spot on the rump one inch in width- the wings have
nineteen feathers, of which the ten first have the longer
side of their plumage white in the midde of the feather and
occupying unequal lengths of the same from one to three
inches, and forming when the wing is spead a kind of
triangle the upper and lower part of these party coloured
feathers on the under side of the wing being of dark colour
but not jut or shining black. the under side of the
remaining feathers of the wing are darker. the upper side of
the wing, as well as the short side of the plumage of the
party coloured feathers is of a dark blackis or bluish green
sonetimes presenting as light orange yellow or bluish tint
as it happens to be presented to different exposures of ligt-
the plumage of the tale consits of 12 feathers of equal
lengths by pairs, those in the center are the longest, and
the others on each side deminishing about an inch each pair-
the underside of the feathers is a pale black, the upper
side is a dark bluefish green which like the outer part of
the wings is changable as it reflects different portions of
light. towards the the extremely of these feathers they
become of an orrange green, then shaded pass to a redish
indigo blue, and again at the extremity assume the
predominant colour of changeable green- the tints of these
feathers are very similar and equally as beatiful and rich
as the tints of blue and green of the peacock- it is a most
beatifull bird.- the legs and toes are black and imbricated.
it has four long toes, three in front and one in rear, each
terminated with a black sharp tallon from 3/8ths to 1/2 an
inch in length.- these birds are seldom found in parties of
more than three or four and most usually at this season
single as the balks and other birds of prey usually are-
it's usual food is flesh- this bird dose not spread it's
tail when it flys and the motion of it's wings when flying
is much like that of a Jay-bird-
The White turkey of the black hills from information of a
french lad who wintered with the Chien Indians About the
size of the common wild turkey the plumage perfectly white-
this bird is booted as low as the toes-
[Clark, September 18, 1804]
Septr. 18 - I Killed a prarie wolf to day about the Sise of
a Gray fox with a bushey tail the head and ears like a Fox
wolf, and barks like a Small Dog- The annimale which we have
taken for the Fox is this wolf, we have seen no Foxes.
18 Septr. Tuesday Set out early wind from the N W. Modrt.
our boat being much litened goes much better than usial
[Clark, September 18, 1804]
September 18th Tuesday 1804 - Wind from the N W. we Set out
early the boat much lightened, the wind a head proceed on
verry Slowly (1) Passed an I a Island about the middle of
the river at 1 Mile this Island is about a mile long, and
has a great perpotion of red Cedir on it, a Small Creek
comes in on the S. S. opposit the head of the Island,
proceeded on passed many Sand bars and Camped on the L. S.
before night the wind being verry hard & a head all Day. the
hunters Killed 10 Deer to day and a Prarie wolf, had it all
jurked & Skins Stretchd after Camping I walked on Shore Saw
Goats, Elk, Buffalow, Black tail Deer, & the Common Deer, I
Killed a Prarie Wollf, about the Size of a gray fox bushey
tail head & ear like a wolf, Some fur Burrows in the ground
and barks like a Small Dog.
what has been taken heretofore for the Fox was those wolves,
and no Foxes has been Seen; The large wolves are verry
numourous, they are of a light Colr. large & has long hair
with Corrs fur.
Some Goats of a Different Kind Wer Seen yesterday Great many
Porcupin rabits & Barking Squirils in this quarter. Plumbs &
grapes.
[Lewis, September 18, 1804]
Sept. 18th - this day saw the first brant on their return
from the north-
[Clark, September 19, 1804]
(1) & (2) passed a large Island Situated nearest the S. S.
1/2 a mile from the Lower pt. of this Island, the 1st of the
3 rivers mouths which is about 35 yards wide, running from
the N E. one mile above the 2nd Comes in this is Small not
more that 15 yards wide a Short Distance above a 3d comes in
scattering its waters thro a bottom. I walked on Shore to
See this great Pass of the Sioux and Calumet ground, found
it a handsom Situation, and Saw the remains of their Campt
on the 2d river, for many years passed- (3) passed a Creek
on the L. S. 15 yds wide we (4) passed a Creek 20 yds wide
(5) passed a Creek 20 yd. wide on the L. S. I call Night C.
as I did not get to it untill late at night, above the mouth
of this Creek we camped, the wind being favourable, for the
boat I Killed a fat Buffalow Cow, and a fat Buck elk, york
my Servent Killed a Buck, the Huntes Killed 4 Deer, & the
boat Crew killed 2 Buffalow Swiming the river, handsom
Countrey of Plains, I saw many trovs of Buffalow & a Gangue
of 30 or 40 Elk and othr Scattering elk &c. a find evening I
hurt my hands & feet last night
[Clark, September 19, 1804]
19th of September Wednesday 1804 - Set out early, a Cool
morning verry Clear the wind from the S. E a Bluff on the L.
S.- here Commences a Butifull Countrey on both Sides of the
Missourie, (2) passed a large Island Called Prospect Island
op posit this Isd. the 3 rivers Coms in, passing thro a
butifull Plain, here I walked on Shore & Killed a fat Cow &
Sent her to the boat and proceeded on to the first of the 3
rivers, this river is about 35 yards wide Contains a good
deel of water, I walked up this river 2 miles & Cross, the
bottom is high and rich Some timber, I crossed & returned to
the mouth, & proceeded up one mile to the 2d river which is
Small 12 yards wide, and on it but little timber, on this
Creek the Seaux has frequently Camped, as appears by the
Signs- the lands betwen those two Creeks in a purpindicular
bluff of about 80 feet with a butifull Plain & gentle assent
back- a Short distance above the 2nd a 3rd Creek Comes into
the river in 3 places Scattering its waters over the large
timbered bottom, this Creek is near the Size of the middle
Creek Containing a greater quantity of water, those rivers
is the place that all nations who meet are at peace with
each other, Called the Seaux pass of the 3 rivers.
The boat proceeded on passd. the Island (3) passed a Creek
15 yds wide on the L. Side (4) passed a Creek on the L. S.
20 yards wide which I Call Elm Creek passing thro a high
Plain (5) passed a Creek on the L. S. 18 yds. wide above
which the boat Came too, I joined them late at night, and
Call this Creek Night Creek the winds favourable all Day, I
killed a fat buck Elk late and could only get his Skin and a
Small part of his flesh to Camp. My Servent Killed a Buck,
the Crew in the boat Killed 2 buffalow in the river- The
Hunters on Shore Killed 4 Deer with black tails one of which
was a Buck with two men Prongs on each Side forked equally,
which I never before Seen. I saw Several large gangs of
Buffaloes 2 large Herds of Elk & goats &c. (6) pass a Small
Island on the S. S. opposit to this Island on the L. S. a
Creek of about 10 yards wide Coms in passing thro a plain in
which great quantities of the Prickley Pear grows. I call
this Creek Prickley Pear Creek, This Isld. is Called the
lower Island it is Situated at the Commencement of what is
Called & Known by the Grand de Tortu or Big Bend of the
Missourie.
[Clark, September 20, 1804]
September the 20th Thursday 1804 - Detchd. 3 men across the
Big bend (Called the Grand deTour) with the horse, to stay
and hunt & jurk provisions untill we get around (1) passed a
Island on the S. S. the river Crouded with Sand bars,
20th of September 1804 Thursday (Continued) (1) at the N W.
extremity of this bend passed an Small Island on the L. S.
opposit the upper Point of this Solitary Island Came too to
_____ at the mouth of a Small run on the S. S. & Newmon &
Tomson picked up Some Salt mixed with the Sand in the run,
Such as the ottoes Indians Collect on the Sands of the Corn
de Cerf R. & make use of, Camped on a Sand bar on the S. S.
above the Island- I went out to examine the portage which I
found quit Short 2000 yards only, the Prarie below & Sides
of the hills containing great quantites of the Prickly Piar
which nearly ruind my feet, I saw a hare, & I beleve he run
into a hole, he run on a hill & disapeared, I Saw on this
hill several holes. I Saw Several Goats Elk Ders &c. &
Buffalow in every Detection feeding. R. Fields Killed a Deer
& 2 Goats one a female, which differs from the male as to
Size being Something Smaller, Small Straight horns without
any black about the neck Camped late
[Clark, September 20, 1804]
20th of September, Thursday 1804 - a fair morning wind from
the S E detached 2 men to the 1st. Creek abov the big bend
with the horse to hunt and wait our arrival proceeded on
passed the lower Island opposit which the Sand bars are
verry thick & the water Shoal. I walked on Shore with a view
of examining this bend Crossed at the narost part which is a
high irregular hills of about 180 or 190 feet, this place
the gorge of the Bend is 1 mile & a quarter (from river to
river or) across, from this high land which is only in the
Gouge, the bend is a Butifull Plain thro which I walked, Saw
numbrs of Buffalow & Goats, I saw a Hare & believe he run
into a hole in the Side of a hill, he run up this hill which
is Small & has Several holes on the Side & I could not See
him after, I joined the boat in the evening- passed a Small
Island on the L. S. in the N. W. extremity of the bind
Called Solitary Island, and Camped late on a Sand bar near
the S. S.- R. Fields killed 1 Deer & 2 Goats one of them a
feemale- She Differs from the mail as to Size being Smaller,
with Small Horns, Stright with a Small prong without any
black about the neck None of those Goats has any Beard, they
are all Keenly made, and is butifull
[Lewis, September 20, 1804]
Septr. 20th on the lard. shore at the commencement of the
big bend observed a clift of black porus rock which
resembled Lava tho on a closer examination I believe it to
be calcarious and an imperfect species of the French burr-
preserved a specemine, it is a brownish white, or black or
yellowish brown-
[Clark, September 21, 1804]
21st of September 1804 Friday 1804, - last night or reather
this morng at a half past one oClock the Sand bar on which
we Camped began to give way, which allarmed the Serjt on
guard & the noise waked me, I got up and by the light of the
moon observed that the Sand was giving away both above &
beloy and would Swallow our Perogues in a few minits,
ordered all hands on board and pushed off we had not got to
the opposit Shore before pt. of our Camp fel into the river.
we proceeded on to the Gorge of the bend & brackfast, the
Distance of this bend around is 30 miles, and 11/4 miles
thro, the high lands extinds to the gauge and is about 200
feet the plain in the bend as also the two opposit Sides
abov and below is delightfull plains with graduel assents
from the river in which there is at this time Great number
of Buffalow Elk & Goats feedg The Course from the gauge on
the L. S. is S. 70 W. 41/2 Miles to the pt. of Ceder Timber
on the L. S. pass Sands. worthy of remark the Cat fish not
So plenty abov white river & much Smaller than usial, Great
nunbers of Brant & plover, also goat and black tail Deer.
[Clark, September 21, 1804]
21st of September Friday 1804 - at half past one oClock this
morning the Sand bar on which we Camped began to under mind
and give way which allarmed the Sergeant on Guard, the
motion of the boat awakened me; I get up & by the light of
the moon observed that the land had given away both above
and below our Camp & was falling in fast. I ordered all
hands on as quick as possible & pushed off, we had pushed
off but a few minets before the bank under which the Boat &
perogus lay give way, which would Certainly have Sunk both
Perogues, by the time we made the opsd. Shore our Camp fell
in, we made a 2d Camp for the remainder of the night & at
Daylight proceeded on to the Gouge of this Great bend and
Brackfast, we Sent a man to measure step off the Distance
across the gouge, he made it 2000 yds. The distance arround
is 30 mes. The hills extend thro the gouge and is about 200
foot above the water- in the bend as also the opposite Sides
both abov and below the bend is a butifull inclined Plain in
which there is great numbers of Buffalow, Elk & Goats in
view feeding & Scipping on those Plains Grouse, Larks & the
Prarie bird is Common in those Plains. we proceeded on
passed a (1) willow Island below the mouth of a Small river
called Tylors R about 35 yds. wide which corns in on the L.
S. 6 miles above the Gorge of the bend, at the mouth of this
river the two hunters a head left a Deer & its Skin also the
Skin of a white wolfwe observe an emence number of Plover of
Different kind Collecting and takeing their flight
Southerly, also Brants which appear to move in the same
Direction. The Cat fish is Small and not So plenty as below
(2) The Shore on each Side is lined with hard rough Gulley
Stones of different Sides, which has roled from the hills &
out of Small brooks, Ceder is comon here, This day is worm,
the wind which is not hard blows from the S. E, we Camped at
the lower point of the Mock Island on the S. S. this now
Connected with the main land, it has the appearance of once
being an Island detached from the main land Covered with
tall Cotton wood- we Saw Some Camps and tracks of the Seaux
which appears to be old three or four weeks ago- one
frenchman I fear has got an abscess on his they, he
complains verry much we are makeing every exertion to releiv
him The Praries in this quarter Contains Great qts. of
Prickley Pear.
[Clark, September 22, 1804]
22nd September Satturday 1804 - a thick fog this morning
untill 7 oClock which detained us, Saw Some old tracks of
the Indians on the S. S. proceeded on- one French man with a
abscess on his thigh which pains him verry much for 10 or 12
Days a butifull Plain on both Sides low high land under
which there is a number of lage Stone, we See great numbers
of Buffalow feeding
[Clark, September 22, 1804]
A continuation of notes taken assending the Missourie in
1804-by W. Clark Satturday the 22nd of September 1804-A
Thick fog this morning detained us untill 7 oClock, The
plains on both Sides of the River is butifull and assends
gradually from the river; noumerous herds of Buffalow to be
Seen in every derections, (1) Took the altitude of the Sun &
found the Lattitude to be 44° 11' 33" N-(2) passed a Small
Island on the L. S. and one on the S. S. imediately above, &
about 3 m. long, on the L. S. opposit this Island a Creek of
about 15 yds wide mouthes, Called the Creek of the 3 Sisters
(3) passed Cedar Island 11/2 M. long & 1 M. wide Situated a
little above the last and nearest the S. S.near the upper
part of this Island on its S. Side a Tradeing fort is
Situated built of Cedar-by a Mr. Louiselle of St Louis, for
the purpose of Tradeing with the Teton Bands of Soues (or "Sieux")
about this Fort I saw numbers of Indians Temporary Lodges, &
horse Stables, all of them round and to a point at top, I
observed also numbers of Cotton Trees fallen for the purpose
of feeding their horses on the Bark of the limbs of those
trees which is Said to be excellent food for the horses- we
came too on the S. S. below a Small Island called Goat
island, passed a no. of large round Stones, Som distance in
the river as also in the Sides of the hills,- I walked on
the Shore this evening and Killed a verry large Deer- our
hunters Killed 2 Deer & a Beaver, they Complain of the
Mineral quallities of the high land distroying their
mockersons-.
[Clark, September 22, 1804]
22nd of September Satturday 1804 - a thick fog this morning
detained us untill 7 oClock passed a butifull inclined
Prarie on both Sides in which we See great numbers of
Buffalow feeding- (1) took the Meridean altitude of the Suns
upper Leimb. 92° 50' 00" the SexSecnt the Latd. produced
from this Obsivation is 44° 11' 33" 3/10 North (2) passed a
Small Island on the L. S. imediately above passed a Island
Situated nearest the L. S. abt. 3 miles long, behind this
Isd. on the L. S. a Creek Comes in about 15 yards wide, this
Creek and Islands are Called the 3 Sisters a butifull Plain
on both Sides of the river (3) passed a Island Situated
nearest the S. S. imedeately above the last Called Ceder
Island this Island is about 11/2 miles long & nearly as wide
Covered with Ceder, on the South Side of this Island Mr.
Louiselle a trader from St. Louis built a fort of Ceder & a
good house to trate with the Seaux & wintered last winter;
about this fort I observed a number of Indian Camps in a
Conicel form,- they fed their horses on Cotton limbs as
appears. here our hunters joined us havening killed 2 Deer &
a Beaver, they Complain much of the Mineral Substances in
the barren hills over which they passed distroying their
mockersons.
(4) we proceeded on and Camped late on the S. Side below a
Small Island in the bend S. S. Called Goat Island. The large
Stones which lay on the Sides of the banks in Several places
lay Some distance in the river, under the water and is
dangerous &.
I walked out this evening and killed a fine Deer, the
musquiters is verry troublesom in the bottoms
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
23rd Septr. Sunday 1804 - (days and nights equal) Set out
early under a gentle Breeze from the S E N. 46°W 33/4 Miles
to the mo. of a Creek on the S. S. passd. a pt. on the L. S.
(1) a Small Island opsd. in the bend to the S. S. This
Island is Called goat Island, (1) this Creek is 10 yards
wide. passed bad Sand bars- S. 46°W 23/4 mes. a wood at a
Spring in the bend to the L. S. Saw the Prarie a fire behind
us near the head of Ceder Island L. S. N. 80° W. 41/2 to the
lower pt of Elk Island pass 2 Willow Islands & Sand I saw
this morning 12 of those Black & white birds of the corvus
Species.
Capt Lewis went out to hund on the Island a great number of
Buffalow in Sight I must Seal up all those Scrips & draw
from my Journal at Some other time Win Clark Cpt.
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
Sunday the 23rd September 1804 - Set out under a Gentle
breeze from the S. E- (1) passed Goat Island Situated in a
bend to the S. S- above passed a Small Creek 12 yards wide
on the S. S.- we observed a great Smoke to the SW. which is
an Indian Signal of their haveing discovered us, I walked on
Shore and observed great numbers of Buffalows. (2) passed 2
Small Willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing from their
upper points (3) passed Elk Island Situated near the L. S.
about 21/2 mes. long & 3/4 wide, Covered with Cotton wood, a
red berry Called by the French "grise de buff," Grapes &c.
the river is wide Streight & contains a great numr of Sand
bars, (4) passed a Small Creek on the S. S. 16 yds wide I
call Reubens Cr.- R. Fields was the first who found it- Came
too & Camped on the S. S. in a Wood. Soon after we landed
three Soues boys Swam across to us, those boys informed us
that a Band of Sieux called the Tetons of 80 Lodges wer
Camped near the mouth of the next River, and 60 Lodges more
a Short distance above them, they had that day Set the
praries on fire to let those Camps Know of our approach- we
gave those boys two twists of Tobacco to carry to their
Chiefs & Warriors to Smoke, with derections to tell them
that we wished to Speak to them tomorrow, at the mouth of
the next river- Capt Lewis walked on Shore, R F. Killed a
She Goat or "Cabbra."
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
23rd of September Sunday 1804 - Set out under a gentle
breeze from the S. E, (1) passed a Small Island Situated in
a bend to the L. S. Called Goat Island, a Short distance
above the upper point a Creek of 12 yards wide corns in on
the S. S. we observed a great Smoke to the S W.- I walked on
Shore & observed Buffalow in great Herds at a Distance (2)
passed two Small willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing
out from them, passed (3) Elk Island about 21/2 miles long &
3/4 mile wide Situated near the L. S. covered with Cotton
wood the read Current Called by the French Gres de Butiff &
grapes &c. &c. the river is nearly Streight for a great
distance wide and Shoal. (4) passed a Creek on the S. S. 16
yards wide we Call Reubens Creek, as R Fields found it
Camped on the S. S. below the mouth of a Creek on the L. S.
three Souex boys Came to us Swam the river and informd that
the Band of Soauex called the Teton of 80 Lodges were Camped
at the next Creek above, & 60 Lodges more a Short distance
above, we gave those boys two Carrots of Tobacco to Carry to
their Chiefs, with derections to tell them that we would
Speek to them tomorrow Capt Lewis walked on Shore this
evening, R. F Killed a Doe Goat,-
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