December 10, 1804
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Aug 30, 1803 Sep 30, 1806

December 10, 1804

 

a verry Cold Day The Thermometer to day at 10 & 11 Degrees below 0., Capt. Lewis returned, to day at 12 oClock leaveing 6 men at the Camp to prepare the meat for 〈the〉 to pack 4 Horse loads Came in, Capt Lewis had a Cold Disagreeable night last in the Snow on a Cold point with one Small Blankett    the Buffaloe Crossed the river below in emence herds without brakeing in.    only 2 buffalow killed to day one of which was too pore to Skin, The men which was frost bit is gitting better.    the rise 1½ inch    wind North

 

Monday 10th Decr 1804.    a Cloudy cold morning. Capt. Lewis & Several of the hunters returned to the fort.    the horses were Sent eairly this morning down to their last nights camp for meat.    they returned with large loads of meat.    the weather Gits colder verry fast So that the Sentinel had to be relieved every hour.    one of the Mandan Indians who had been wounded by the Souix came to our officers to be cured. G. Drewyer killed [a buffalow] two Buffalow and a deer & brought in the Deer this eving.    the weather is [blank] degrees colder this evening than it was this morning. Blanket cappoes [1] provided for each man who Stood in need of them &.C.

 

Monday 10th.    After breakfasting on marrow bones, Captain Lewis and four of us set out for the fort. Four hunters and another man to keep camp remained out. On our return we met one of our men, who said that a party had gone down with the horses for more meat. This day was very cold: an experiment was made with proof spirits, which in fifteen minutes froze into hard ice. In the evening two of our hunters came in with the horses, but had killed nothing. [2] Five encamped out.

1. A capote, or blanket coat, a long, hooded coat of heavy blanket material. (back)
2. Ordway says that Drouillard killed two buffalo and a deer, and brought in the deer. Clark says one of the buffalo was "too pore to Skin." (back)