Journals of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition

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Search : air gun
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Your search returned 458 results from all items Search Only Journals

August 30, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Shot his air gun    told them that their was medician in hir & that She would doe Great execution, they were all amazed at the curiosity, & as Soon as he had Shot a fiew times they all ran hastily to See the Ball holes in the tree    they Shouted aloud at the Site of the execution She would doe &c.   
  • Our Captains held a council with them & deliver'd a speech to them, (which was interpreted by a frenchmen)    our Captains made 5 of them chiefs, and gave them medals, On the Talk being finish'd, they gave them all presents of Goods & they thankfully receiv'd them They put all the presents that they got, together, and divided them among their whole party equally.—    The Indians after the goods were divided, was very merry; they play'd on the Jews harps & danced for us for Beads that we gave them.—    they behaved well to us.—    The Indian Boys shot with their Bows for some small trifles we gave them.—    After they had finished dancing Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took his Air Gun and shot her off, and by the Interpreter, told them that there was medicine in her, and that she could do very great execution, They all stood amazed at this curiosity; Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) discharged the Air Gun several times, and the Indians ran hastily to see 〈if to see〉 the holes that the Balls had made which was discharged from it.    at finding the Balls had entered the Tree, they shouted a loud at the sight and the Execution that was done surprized them exceedingly.—    The shooting with the Air Gun being over, the Indians were supplied with Provisions.    As soon as dark set in, and a drum was prepared among them, The Young Indian Men painted themselves in different ways.   
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 29, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • at 11 oClock the counsel commenced    a Gun was fired from our Bow peace when our officers took the chiefs by the hand    Capt. Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) delivered a Speech to them through Intreperters, & counseled with the Manden (Mandan Indians) Grovantrs (Hidatsa Indians) & Weta Soaux (Hidatsa Indians, Awaxawi) nations, the counsel was ended about 4 oC. P. M.    another Gun was fired, & then our officers Gave the or each head chief a meddel & a flag and made a 1st & 2nd chief to each village & Gave the head chiefs a Suit of cloaths and a quantity of Small Goods for their nations, cocked hats & feathers &.C. &.C    Gave also a Steel corn mill to the Manden (Mandan Indians) nation which pleased them verry much    the captains requested them to assemble again tomorrow if possable to Give us answer to what we had Sd. to them respecting makeing peace with the Rickarees (Arikara Indians) and all other nations & whether they mean to Go to See their Great father &.C.   
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Shot the air Gun which pleased them much    they returned home to their village.   
  • October 29, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
March 9, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Shewed them the air Gun quadron & Spy Glass &.C. which they thought was Great Medicines.
  • March 9, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 7, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took an observation & Shot the air gun.    the lost man not returned.    the day warm, the large horse flyes troublesome &c.   
  • The Indian Goods &ca—    were all put out, in order to get thoroughly dry.—    Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took an observation at this place & found it to lay in Latitude 45° 22' 34S North, he also fired off his air gun several times in order that the Man that went out a hunting from the party that was with Captain Clarke (Clark, William) up the North fork Yesterday & who we suppose is lost might hear the report, he having as yet not returned.   
  • August 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 10, 1804 - Clark, William
  • after the Council was Over we Shot the air guns which astonished them much, the[y] then Departed and we rested Secure all night, Those Indians wer much astonished at my Servent (York) , They never Saw a black man before, all flocked around him & examind. him from top to toe, he Carried on the joke and made himself more turibal than we wished him to doe.   
  • This is the only indication that there may have been more than one air gun with the party, and it is very likely a slip of the pen.
  • October 10, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 2, 1805 entry by Meriwether Lewis
  • the bear was very near catching Drewyer; it also pursued Charbono who fired his gun in the air as he ran but fortunately eluded the vigilence of the bear by secreting himself very securely in the bushes untill Drewyer finally killed it by a shot in the head; the [NB: only] shot indeed that will conquer the farocity of those tremendious anamals.
  • N.D.
  • Multimedia
  • Gary E. Moulton
January 24, 1806 - Clark, William
  • The Clapsots (Clatsop Indians) witnessed Drewyers (Drouillard, George) Shooting Some of those Elk, which has given them a very exolted opinion of us as marksmen and the Superior excellency of our rifles Compared with their guns;    this may probably be of service to us, as it will deter them from any acts of hostility if they have ever meditated any such. our air gun also astonishes them very much, they Cannot Comprehend its Shooting So often and without powder, and think that it is great medison which Comprehends every thing that is to them incomprehensible.
  • January 24, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 30, 1804 - Clark, William
  • much displeased that he could not dine with Cap Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and my Self—    the number of Soues (Sioux Indians) present is about 70 men—    Dressed in Buffalow roabes a fiew fusees, Bows and arrows, and verry much deckerated with porcupine quills, a Society of which only four remains is present, this Society has made a vow never to giv back let what will happen, out of 22 only 4 remains, those are Stout likely men who Stay by them Selves, fond of mirth and assume a degree of Superiority— the air gun astonished them verry much    after night a circle was forrm around 3 fires and those Indians danced untill late, the Chiefs looked on with great dignity    much pleased with what they had, we retired late and went to bead.   
  • "Fusils"—the French for "musket"—probably the smoothbore Indian trade gun variously known as the Hudson's Bay (Hudson's Bay) "fuke," the Northwest gun, and other names.
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 10, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • we burryed a canister of powder & Some led &.C. in the point. we halled out our largest perogue in the middle of an Island in the North fork (Jefferson River (North, Southwest Fork)) opposite the point, and made hir fast between Some trees, & branded Several trees to prevent the Savages from disturbing hir    the blacksmiths fixed up their bellowes & repaired the air gun & Several other fire arms. The Canoe Calked, the Baggage aranged & loaded the Crafts, about 4 oClock P.
  • June 10, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 7, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took an observation & Shoot the air gun.    the man G. Shannon (Shannon, George) not returned yet.   
  • August 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 18, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • these Indian are verry poor and vallue a little worth a great deal, as they never had Scarsely any kind of a kinife or Tommahawk or any weapons of war or to use.    2 or 3 guns only to be seen among them which we expect they got from Some other nation, who traded with the french or Spanish tradors.   
  • they had no knives, or tomahawks among them; or any War like Instruments (excepting 3 Guns which we expect they had got from some other Indians, that had purchased them from French or Spanish traders, for horses,)    These Indians were tolerable well made Men, have very good countenances, but are darker colour'd, than the Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indians, Their dress was made out of the Skins of Antelopes & mountain Rams or Ibex, they had some Beads & ear bobs among them.   
  • Captain Clark (Clark, William) , 11 of our party & all the Indians excepting 4, (two of which were Men) left our camp, & set out with their horses, & a considerable quantity of our baggage, to go across the Mountain; & intend to send back the Horses for us, to pack & bring over the remainder of them.    We put out the Indian goods to air, & to assort them.—    We had some Rain in the afternoon.—    One of our hunters that was out killed a deer, which he brought to our Camp.— Meaning last night, as in Ordway's (Ordway, John) journal.
  • August 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 30, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we Smoked and after my Shooting the air gun he departed, Those nations know nothing of reagular Councils, and know not how to proceed in them, they are restless &c— This transcript is on a loose sheet in the Voorhis Collection, Missouri Historical Society.
  • October 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 10, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we Delivered a Similar Speech to those delivered the Ottoes (Oto Indians) & Sioux (Sioux Indians) , made three Chiefs, one for each Village and gave them Clothes & flags—    1s Chief is name Ka-ha-wiss assa (Lighting Crow (Kakawissassa)) lighting ravin (Lighting Crow (Kakawissassa))    2d Chief Po-casse (Hay (Pocasse)) (Hay) & the 3rd Piaheto (Toone) or Eagles Feather (Toone) —    after the Council was over we Shot the Air gun, which astonished them, & they all 〈Departed〉 left us, 〈we〉 I observed 2 Sioux (Sioux Indians) in the Council one of them I had Seen below, they Came to interceed with the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) to Stop us as we were told—    the Inds. much astonished at my black Servent (York) , who made him Self more turrible in thier view than I wished him to Doe as I am told telling them that before I cought him he was wild & lived upon people, young children was verry good eating    Showed them his Strength &c.
  • October 10, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 24, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • The Indians witnissed Drewyer's (Drouillard, George) shooting some of those Elk which has given them a very exalted opinion of us as marksmen and the superior excellence of our rifles compared with their guns; this may probably be of service to us, as it will deter them from any acts of hostility if they have ever meditated any such. My Air-gun also astonishes them very much, they cannot comprehend it's shooting so often and without powder; and think that it is great medicine which comprehends every thing that is to them incomprehensible.— I observe no difference between the liquorice of this country and that common to many parts of the United States where it is also sometimes cultivated in our gardens.   
  • January 24, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
September 4, 1806 - Clark, William
  • as we were in want of Some tobacco I purposed to Mr. Airs (Aird, James) to furnish us with 4 Carrots for which we would Pay the amount to any Merchant of St.
  • Louis (Saint Louis, Mo.) , an instance of Generossity for which every man of the party appears to acknowledge. Mr. Airs (Aird, James) also insisted on our accepting a barrel of flour—we gave to this gentleman what Corn we Could Spear amounting to about 6 bushels, this Corn was well Calculated for his purpose as he was about to make his establishment and would have it in his power to hull the Corn & The flower was very acceptable to us.   
  • I observed near Sergt Floyds (Floyd, Charles) Grave a number of flurishing black walnut trees, these are the first which I have seen decending the river.    a little before night Several Guns were heard below and in a direction towards the Mahar (Omaha Indians) village which induced us to suspect that Mr.
  • September 4, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
Part 2: Miscellany - Clark, William
  • Peters (Peter, George) in Box No. 1 6 Skins and Sceletens complete of the mountain ram, three male and 3 female 1 Blacktail Deer Skin 1 Sheep Skin 4 Barking Squirels 3 Bear Skins 1 White Wolf 3 beaver tales No. 2 2 Boxes Containing Various articles 1 Tin Case                   do    do 1 air gun 4 Robins 1 Clat sop (Clatsop Indians) hat This list appears in Codex N, pp. 1–2.
  • Postexpedition 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 17, 1803 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Lewis September 17th The morning was foggy but bing informed by my pilot that we had good water for several miles I ventured to set out before the fog disappeared; came on seven miles to the old Town Bar, which being a handsome clean place for the purpose I determined to spend the day and to open & dry my goods which I had found were wet by the rain on the 15th notwithstanding I had them secured with my oilcloths and a common-tent which I had as well as it was possible and the canoes frequently bailed in the course of the day and night    I found on opening the goods that many of the articles were much Injured; particularly the articles of iron, which wer rusted very much    my guns, tomehawks, & knives were of this class; I caused them to be oiled and exposed to the sun    the clothing of every discription also was opened and aired, we busily employed in this business all hands, from ten in the morning untill sun seting, when I caused the canoes to be reloaded, having taken the precaution to put up all the articles that would addmitt of that mode of packing to be put in baggs of oil-cloth which I had provided for that purpose and again returned to their severale casks, trunks, and boxes— my bisquit was much injurd    I had it picked and put up in these baggs—this work kept so busy that I ate not any thing untill after dark, being determined to have every thing in readiness for an early start in the morning; the evening was calm tho' the wind had blown extreemly hard up the river all day—    It is somewhat remarkable that the wind on this river, from much observation of my own, and the concurrent observation of those who inhabit it's banks, blows or sets up agains it's courent four days out of five during the course of the whole year; it will readily be concieved how much this circumstance will aid the navigation of the river—   when the Ohio (Ohio River) is in it's present low state, between the riffles and in many places for several miles together there is no preseptable courent, the whole surface being perfectly dead or taking the direction only which the wind may chance to give it, this makes the passage down this stream more difficult than would at first view be immageoned, when it is remembered also that the wind so frequently sets up the river the way the traveler makes in descending therefore is by the dint of hard rowing—or force of the oar or pole.
  • September 17, 1803
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
August 3, 1804 - Clark, William
  • We gave them a Cannister of Powder and a Bottle of whiskey and delivered a few presents to the whole after giveing a Br: Cth: [breech cloth] Some Pain guartering & a Meadele to those we made Cheifs    after Capt Lewis's (Lewis, Meriwether) Shooting the air gun a feiw Shots (which astonished those nativs) we Set out and proceeded on five miles on a Direct line passed a point on the S.
  • perhaps no other Situation is as well Calculated for a Tradeing establishment. The air is pure and helthy So far as we can Judge.— Course of Augt. 3rd N. 5° E 5 ms. to a pt. on L.
  • August 3, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 10, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • The black Smiths fixed up the bellowses & made a main Spring to Capt. [Lewis's] (Lewis, Meriwether) air Gun, as the one belonging to it got broke.    the articles which we Intend to bury all got ready.   
  • June 10, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
September 1, 1803 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • .—    the Fog appears to owe it's orrigin to the difference of temperature between the air and water the latter at this seson being much warmer than the former; the water being heated by the summer's sun dose not undergo so rapid a change from the absence of the sun as the air dose consiquently when the air becomes most cool which is about sunrise the fogg is thickest and appears to rise from the face of the water like the steem from boiling water—    we passed the little horsetale ripple or riffle with much deficulty, all hands laboured in the water about two hours before we effected a passage; the next obstruction we met was the big-horse tale riffle (Big Horsetail Ripple) , here we wer obliged to unload all our goods and lift the emty Boat over, about 5 OCock we reach the riffle called Woollery's trap (Woolery's Ripple) , here after unloading again and exerting all our force we found it impracticable to get over, I therefore employed a man with a team of oxen with the assistance of which we at length got off    we put in and remained all night having made only ten miles this day.— Lewis's (Lewis, Meriwether) reflections on fog and dew and their determinants over the next several days bring him to posit a theory for the occurrence and to test his hypothesis by taking temperature readings of air and river during the time. Apparently cold air is moving down the valley sides and passing across the warm water of the Ohio River (Ohio River) in a situation known as cold air drainage. Since the air is heated from below as well as moistened, the fog takes the form of rising streamers, and the phenomenon is generally called steam fog.
  • September 1, 1803
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
August 19, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we deturmed to Set out early in the morning    We Showed them many Curiosities and the air gun which they were much asstonished at.    those people beged much for wishey—    Serjeant Floyd (Floyd, Charles) is taken verry bad all at onc with a Beliose Chorlick    we attempt to relieve him without Success as yet, he gets wordse and we are muc allarmed at his Situation, all attention to him.
  • August 19, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 28, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Several men went out eairly a hunting.    we put out all the baggage to air.    Capt Clark (Clark, William) verry unwell.    we built a bowrey for his comfort.   
  • Some Thunder attended it, which cooled the air much.    the men at Camp has employed themselves this day in dressing Skins, to make cloathing for themselves.   
  • In the evening, we had a fine shower of rain, accompanied with Thunder, which cooled the Air, & made it very pleasant, The Men at our Camp, were 〈Airing〉 employed in drying the Baggage &ca 〈was drying, employed themselves in〉 & dressing of Skins to make themselves Cloathing.—    I was employed in making chief part of the Cloathing for the whole party.—    Our Hunters killed also 2 Elk, which was brought into our Camp.—
  • July 28, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 11, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • we fired on the Elk I killed one and he wounded another, we reloaded our guns and took different routs through the thick willows in pursuit of the Elk; I was in the act of firing on the Elk a second time when a ball struck my left thye about an inch below my hip joint, missing the bone it passed through the left thye and cut the thickness of the bullet across the hinder part of the right thye; the stroke was very severe; I instantly supposed that Cruzatte (Cruzatte, Pierre) had shot me in mistake for an Elk as I was dressed in brown leather and he cannot see very well; under this impression I called out to him damn you, you have shot me, and looked towards the place from whence the ball had come, seeing nothing I called Cruzatte (Cruzatte, Pierre) several times as loud as I could but received no answer; I was now preswaded that it was an indian that had shot me as the report of the gun did not appear to be more than 40 paces from me and Cruzatte (Cruzatte, Pierre) appeared to be out of hearing of me; in this situation not knowing how many indians there might be concealed in the bushes I thought best to make good my retreat to the perogue, calling out as I ran for the first hundred paces as loud as I could to Cruzatte (Cruzatte, Pierre) to retreat that there were indians hoping to allarm him in time to make his escape also; I still retained the charge in my gun which I was about to discharge at the moment the ball struck me.   
  • I now got back to the perogue as well as I could and prepared my self with a pistol my rifle and air-gun being determined as a retreat was impracticable to sell my life as deerly as possible.   
  • August 11, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
July 27, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Fields (Field, Joseph) who was on post had carelessly laid his gun down behid him near where his brother was sleeping, one of the indians the fellow to whom I had given the medal last evening sliped behind him and took his gun and that of his brothers unperceived by him, at the same instant two others advanced and seized the guns of Drewyer (Drouillard, George) and myself, J. Fields (Field, Joseph) seing this turned about to look for his gun and saw the fellow just runing off with her and his brothers he called to his brother who instantly jumped up and pursued the indian with him whom they overtook at the distance of 50 or 60 paces from the camp sized their guns and rested them from him and R Fields (Field, Reubin) as he seized his gun stabed the indian to the heart with his knife    the fellow ran about 15 steps and fell dead; of this I did not know untill afterwards, having recovered their guns they ran back instantly to the camp; Drewyer (Drouillard, George) who was awake saw the indian take hold of his gun and instantly jumped up and sized her and rested her from him but the indian still retained his pouch, his jumping up and crying damn you let go my gun awakened me    I jumped up and asked what was the matter which I quickly learned when I saw drewyer (Drouillard, George) in a scuffle with the indian for his gun.
  • the gun we took with us. I also retook the flagg but left the medal about the neck of the dead man that they might be informed who we were.   
  • July 27, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
January 16, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Those Me ne ta rees (Hidatsa Indians) told them they were liars, had told them if they came to the fort the whites men would kill them, they had been with them all night, Smoked in the pipe and have been treated well and the whites had danced for them, observing the Mandans (Mandan Indians) were bad and ought to hide themselves—    one of the 1st War Chiefs of the big belles (Hidatsa Indians) nation Came to See us to day with one man and his Squar [NB: (his wife handsome)] to wate on him [NB: requested that she might be used for the night]    we Shot the Air gun, and gave two Shots with the Cannon which pleased them verry much, the little Crow (Little Crow (Ka-goh-ha-me)) 2d Chf of the lower village came & brought us Corn &.    4 men of ours who had been hunting returned one frost'd 〈but not bad〉 This war Chief gave us a Chart in his way of the Missourie (Missouri River) , he informed us of his intentions of going to war in the Spring against the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Indians    we advised him to look back at the number of nations who had been distroyed by war, and reflect upon what he was about to do, observing if he wished the hapiness of his nation, he would be at peace with all, by that by being at peace and haveing plenty of goods amongst them & a free intercourse with those defenceless nations, they would get on easy terms a great Number of horses, and that nation would increas, if he went to war against those Defenceless people, he would displease his great father, and he would not receive that pertection & Care from him as other nations who listened to his word—    This Chief who is a young man 26 yr. old replied that if his going to war against the Snake indians (Shoshone Indians) would be displeasing to us be would not go, he had horses enough.
  • January 16, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 26, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • This morning was excessively cold; there was ice on the vessels of water which stood exposed to the air nearly a quarter of an inch thick.    we collected our horses and set out at sunrise.   
  • if this be true it would go far in suport of the opinion I have advanced.— the tops of the high and irregular mountains which present themselves to our view on the opposite side of this branch of the Columbia (Columbia River) are yet perfectly covered with snow; the air which proceeds from those mountains has an agreeable coolness and renders these parched and South hillsides much more supportable at this time of the day it being now about noon.
  • Cameahwait (Cameahwait) requested that we would discharge our guns when we arrived in sight of the Village, accordingly when I arrived on an eminence above the village in the plain I drew up the party at open order in a single rank and gave them a runing fire discharging two rounds.   
  • August 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
July 28, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Several men went out a hunting.    we put out the baggage to air. Capt. Clark (Clark, William) Sick.    we built a bower for his comfort.   
  • towards evening we had a fine Shower of rain    Some Thunder attended it which cooled the air verry much.    the men at Camp all employed dressing their Skins &C.—    rushes along here.
  • July 28, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
September 25, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Shewed them the air Gun. Shot it Several times.    then the Captains brought the 3 chiefs and one warrier they had with them.
  • September 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 7, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • from the cercustance of it's bottoms being composed of excellent turf.    my air gun was out of order and her sights had been removed by some accedent I put her in order and regulated her.   
  • August 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
Weather, May 1806 - Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
  • M. and lay 8 inches deep on the plain where we were.    the air was very keen.    a suddon transition this.    yesterday the face of the country had every appearance of summer.   
  • the young were in the act of leaving the shell. the young of the partycoloured corvus begin to fly.— 21st the air is remarkably dry and pure    it has much the feeling and appearance of the air in the plains of the Missouri. 22nd air colder this morning than usual    white frost tho' no ice. since our arrival in this neighbourhood on the 7th inst. all the rains noted in the diary of the weather were snows on the plain and in some instances it snowed on the plains when only a small mist was perseptable in the bottoms at our camps.    (The high plains are about 800 feet higher than the Small bottoms on the river and creeks.) 23rd the air is cold in the morning but warm through the day.    some dew each morning. 24th air remarkably pleasant all day. 25th rained moderately the greater part of last night and untill a little before sunrise.
  • Weather, May 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
July 28, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • In return Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) gave one of them, who was a chief, a medal; and they all continued together during the night; but after break of day the next morning, the Indians snatched up three of our men's guns and ran off with them. One Indian had the guns of two men, who pursued and caught him; and one of them killed him with his knife; and they got back the guns. Another had Captain Lewis's gun (Lewis, Meriwether) , but immediately gave it up. The party then went to catch their horses, and found the Indians driving them off; when Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) shot one of them, and gave him a mortal wound; who notwithstanding returned the fire, but without hurting the Captain.
  • By Lewis's (Lewis, Meriwether) account the Indians seized the guns of all four of the party; the Field brothers (Field, Joseph and Reubin) pursued, and Reubin (Field, Reubin) stabbed the Piegan (Blackfeet Indians, Piegan) .
  • July 28, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
May 11, 1806 - Clark, William
  • after this Council was over 〈they〉 we amused ourselves with Shewing them the power of Magnetism, the Spye glass, compass, watch, air gun and Sundery other articles equally novel and incomprehensible to them.   
  • May 11, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 15, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • clear pleasant and warm.    all the Indian Goods put out to air. Some men employed Shelling corn.
  • March 15, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
July 3, 1805 - Clark, William
  • W    all the party employd, Some about the boat, attaching the Skins & Sowing them to the Sections, others prepareing timber, Some, burning tar of the drift pine, Some airring and repacking the Stores & Goods, & others hunting for Meet to make pemitigon & for the use of their Skins to Cover the Canoes & boat,—.   
  • I think it possible that those almost perpetial S W. winds, proceed from the agency of the Snowey mountains (Lewis (Snowy) Range) and the wide leavel and untimbered plains which Streach themselves along their borders for an emence distance, that the air comeing in Contact with the Snow is Suddenly chilled and condensed, thus becomeing heavyer than the air beneath in the plains    it glides down the Sides of those mountains and decends to the plains, where by the constant action of the Sun on the face of the untimbered country there is a partial vacuom formed for it's reception    I have observed that the winds from this quarter is always the Coaldest and most violent which we experience, yet I am far from giveing full credit to this hypothesis on this Subject; if I find however on the opposit Side of these mountains that the winds take a contrary direction I Shall then have full faith.
  • July 3, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 10, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • one of the hunters Saw three Indians on horse back    they appeared afraid of him    Signed to him to lay down his gun    he layed it down    they then came to him [in] a friendly manner.   
  • they belong to the flat head nation (Flathead Indians)    they Signed to us that they lay all day in hearing of our guns but was afraid to come to us.    they Sign to us also that 2 of the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Nation had Stole 2 of their horses, and they were in pursuit of them—
  • September 10, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
March 29, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Whitehouse Friday March 29th    We had all this day high winds, but the Air was not so cold, as it had been for several days past.    nothing new occurred worth mentioning
  • March 29, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
Weather, March 1806 - Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
  • saw a Snail, this morning, they are very large. 5th the air is considerably colder this morng but nothing like freizing.— 6th altho' it is stated to be fair this morning the sun is so dim that no observations can be made    Saw a spider this morning, tho' the air is perceptably colder than it has been since the 1st inst.— at 9 A.
  • Clark's (Clark, William) black man (York) , I could not obtain a view of it myself. 8th the ground covered with hail and snow this morning, air cool but not freizing.— 9th Snow and hail 1 inch deep this morning    air Still cold more so than yesterday but not freizing. 10th Snow nearly disappeared by this morning.    the air consider- ably warmer. 11th snow 1 inch deep this morning air cold but no ice.   
  • Weather, March 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
January 15, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • .— The implyments used by the Chinnooks (Chinook Indians) Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) Cuth-lah-mahs (Cathlamet Indians) &c in hunting are the gun the bow & arrow, deadfalls, pitts, snares, and spears or gigs; their guns are usually of an inferior quality being oald refuse American & brittish Musquits which have been repared for this trade. there are some very good peices among them, but they are invariably in bad order; they apear not to have been long enouh accustomed to fire arms to understand the management of them.    they have no rifles. Their guns and amunition they reserve for the Elk, deer and bear, of the two last however there are but few in their neighbourhood. they keep their powder in small japaned tin flasks which they obtain with their amunition from the traders; when they happen to have no ball or shot, they substitute gravel or peices of potmettal, and are insensible of the damage done thereby to their guns. The bow and arrow is the most common instrument among them, every man being furnished with them whether he has a gun or not; this instrument is imployed indiscriminately in hunting every species of anamal on which they subsist.
  • January 15, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
January 15, 1806 - Clark, William
  • The imployments used by the Chinnooks (Chinook Indians) Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) , Cath lah mahs (Cathlamet Indians) Kil a mox (Tillamook Indians) &c. in hunting are the gun the bow & arrow, dead falls, Pitts, Snares, and Spears or gigs; their guns are usially of an inferior quallity being old refuse american or brittish muskets which have been repared for this trade there are Some verry good pieces among them, but they are invariably in bad order they appear not to be long enough acquainted with fire arms to understand the management of them.    They have no rifles.    Their guns and amunition they reserve for the Elk, Deer, and Bear, of the two last however there are but fiew in their neighbourhoods.    they keep their powder in Small japened tin flasks which they obtain with their amunition from the traders; when they happen to have no Ball or Shot they Substitute Gravel and are insenceable of the dammage done thereby to their Guns. Arrow, January 15, 1806, Codex I, p. 119 (American Philosophical Society library, used with permission.)
  • January 15, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 16, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • Charles (Saint Charles, Mo.) , and fired a gun. A number of the inhabitants came to see us. This is an old French village; in the country around which, a number of Americans have settled.
  • At 4 o'clock in the afternoon we left this place under a salute of three cheers from the inhabitants, which we returned with three more and a discharge of three guns. This evening was showery, and we again encamped on the north side of the river.
  • May 16, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
The Way to the Western Sea Lewis and Clark across the Continent
  • During the layover Shields repaired all the guns. The five Nez Percés and the American soldiers ran footraces and horse races.
  • The Indians, he noted, had only two guns among them but a full complement of bows and arrows. When no one made a threatening move, all relaxed.
  • As he withdrew the knife blade, he heard air whistle through the wound from the punctured lung. Drouillard meanwhile wrested his gun from the man who attempted to spirit it away.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • David Lavender
May 28, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • the provisions & cloths put out to air    Several men out hunting &C. Reuben Field (Field, Reubin) s killed a Deer.   
  • May 28, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
May 28, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • Our provisions and stores were put out to air and dry, and several of our men sent out to hunt. One of them killed a deer.
  • May 28, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
March 30, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • the Ice runs thick in the R. to day. The Indian Goods all put out to air. The Big Barge corked & Got ready to descend the Missouri (Missouri River) .
  • March 30, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
December 22-24, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Whitehouse Sunday 22nd Monday 23 Tuesday 24th December    We had during these 3 days Cloudy & wet weather, the Air Warm & the Wind blowing from the Southwest; we continued in finishing our Huts, picketting in the fort &ca.—& nothing extraordinary happened.—
  • December 22-24, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
January 9, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • the Men in the fort were employed mending their Clothes, airing the baggage, making moccasins dressing Skins &ca.—
  • January 9, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 22, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • had killed a faun deer, and informed us that he fell among a party of Indians which were troublesome as they took his gun & rode off    he rode after them and got his gun from out of an Indians hand.   
  • he informed us that he had met with a party of Indians, which took away his 〈the〉 Gun from him & rode off, & that he had pursued them, & forced his Gun from one of those Indians.    there were several Indian Squaws, with that party of Indians, that he had met, who had a considerable quantity of their kind of food (roots) & some Skins, those squaws ran off whilst he was forcing his Gun from the Indian, & left all, & he took 〈it〉 & brought 〈it〉 them in which him to our Camp.   
  • August 22, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
July 28, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • but found it was not much difference from the Mouth of Morriah (Marias River)    they then Set off on their return the day before yesterday and met with eight of the Grousevauntaus (Hidatsa Indians) Indians with bows & arrows and 2 guns.    they at first appeared afraid but after a little wrode up and Shook hands with Capt.
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) had a watch up all night, and at day break yesterday morning the eight Savages Seased all our mens guns and Capt. Lewises (Lewis, Meriwether) also.    they Instantly Sprung up out of their Sleep and Ruben Fields (Field, Reubin) chased an Indian who Capt.
  • Fields (Field, Reubin) and his brothers Jo Fields (Field, Joseph) guns. Reuben (Field, Reubin) overhalled him caught hold of the 2 guns had his knife drawn & as he Snatched away the guns perced his knife in to the Indians heart    he drew but one breath    the wind of his breath followed the knife & he fell dead    they all Seased their arms from the Indians and took one of the Indn. guns and all their bows and arrows and their Shields which they were on their backs at war.   
  • July 28, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
Weather, August 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • .—   9th heavy dew last night.    air cold. 10th a slight shower about 3 P.
  • wind hard. 11th air cool this evening    wind hard. 12th wind violent last night.
  • Weather, August 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • a little before day light the wind shifted to the N. W. and blew hard and the air Keen & Cold all day, Cloudy and much the appearance of Snow; but little work done to day it being Cold &c.
  • November 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William

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