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Lewis & Clark Expedition

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Lewis & Clark among the Indians
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians
  • Later in his career Gallatin made a major contribution in collecting and systematizing Indian material in his "Synopsis of the Indian Tribes." But just how much he had to do with framing the expedition's Indian questions remains unclear.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • James P. Ronda
August 19, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Hidatsa Indians
  • a plurality of wives is common among them, but these are not generally sisters as with the Minetares (Hidatsa Indians) & Mandans (Mandan Indians) but are purchased of different fathers.
  • their complexion is much that of the Siouxs (Sioux Indians) or darker than the Minnetares (Hidatsa Indians) mandands (Mandan Indians) or Shawnees (Shawnee Indians) .   
  • August 19, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
February 15, 1806 - Clark, William
  • .— The Horse is principally Confined to the Nations inhabiting the great Plains of Columbia (Great Columbian Plain) extending from Latitude 40° to 50° N. and occupying the tract of Countrey lying between the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains) and a rang of mountains which pass the Columbia River (Columbia River) about the Great Falls (Columbia River, Great Falls of the) or from Longitude 116° to 121° West in this extensive tract of Principally untimbered countrey So far as we have lernt the following nations reside (viz) The Sosone (Shoshone Indians) , or Snake (Shoshone Indians) Indians inhabiting the South fork (Gallatin (South, Southeast Fork) River) or [blank] River, the Chopunnish (Nez Perce Indians) , Sokulk's (Wanapam Indians) , Cutssahnims (Yakima Indians) , Chym na pum (Yakima Indians) , Ehelutes (Wishram-Wasco Indians) , Eneshuh (Tenino Indians) & Chilluckkittequaws (Wishram-Wasco Indians) .   
  • The Several tribes of Sosones (Shoshone Indians) who reside near Mexico (Mexico) on the waters of Clark's river (Bitterroot (Clark's, Flathead) River) , or particularly one of them called Shâ-bo-bó-ah (Mono-Paviotso Indians) have also a great number of Mules, which among the Inds.
  • The mules in the possession of the Inds. are principally Stolen from the Spaniards of New Mexico (New Mexico) ; Such as we have Seen appear to be large with Spanish brands.    among the Sosones (Shoshone Indians) of the upper part of Lewis's river (Lewis (Cahwahnakiooks) River) we Saw Several horses with Spanish brands on them which the natives informed us Came from the South most probably from the Settlement in New Mexico (New Mexico) , on the heads of the North river (Rio Grande del Norte) or waters of the Bay of California (Gulf of California) .
  • February 15, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 27, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 27th of Septr. 1804—    The Bank as usial lined with Sioux (Sioux Indians) , gave the 2 principal Chiefs a blanket & a peck of Corn each, Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) accompanied the Chiefs to their Lodges, they informed us that a great part of their nation had not arrived, & would arrive to night and requested us to Delay one Day longer, that they might See us I rote a letter to Mr.
  • Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) joined me & we continued untill about 11 oClock and 2 Chief accompaned us to the boat    I with 2 Cheifs was in a Perogue going on board, by bad Stearing the parogu Struk the Cable with Such force as to brake it near the anchor    (Cap Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) ) and 3 or 4 men on Shore, I had all hands up and was Compelled to Land—    the Chief got allarmed & allarmed the Indians 〈who〉    the 1s Chief & about 200 men Came down in great hast armd and for action, and found it was false, about 20 of them Camped on Shore all night—    this allarm Cap Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) & well as my Self viewed as the Signal of their intentions, one half on guard, our misfortune of loseing our anchor obliged us to lay under a falling in bank much exposed to the Accomplishment of the hostile intentions of those Tetons (Sioux Indians, Teton) (who we had every reason to believe from ther Conduct intended to make an attempt to Stop our progress & if possible rob us—[)]    Peter Crusat (Cruzatte, Pierre) who Spoke Mahar (Omaha Indians) came in the night and informed me that the mahar (Omaha Indians) Prisoners told him that the Tetons (Sioux Indians, Teton) intended to Stop us—    We Shew'd but little Sign of a knowledge of there intentions.
  • It bears the date August 31, 1804, suggesting that they first intended to issue it during their council with the Sioux (Sioux Indians) at Calumet Bluff (Calumet Bluff (Nebr.)) (see above), but had at least one left over from that occasion.
  • September 27, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 28, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • our hunters killed nothing this day.    in the evening 2 Indians arived at this village on horse back from another band which were Some distance to the South near the Spanish country    the principal men of the village all assembled to council with them    these Savages all like Salt and eat it on meat &c.
  • Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) sent down for Captain Clark (Clark, William) to come up to our Camp.—    Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) purchased from the Native's 6 More horses & we now have 25 horses 〈in〉 all together—    Our hunters returned, & had killed no game this day.    In the evening 2 more Indians arrived at this Village on horse back.    They belonged to another band of the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Nation of Indians which live some distance to the South of us, and near to where they say Spaniards reside.— The principal Indians of this Village all assembled, to hold a council with those 2 Indians, which had lately arrived.—    These Indians all appear very fond of salt, and eat it with their meat &ca.   
  • August 28, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
January 9, 1806 - Clark, William
  • To point adams (Point Adams) & the open Slope point is North and a Sharp point, met a party of Chinnooks (Chinook Indians) going to get whale blubber to eate & oile each of which they eate together, we also over took Several parties of the Clot Sops (Clatsop Indians) loaded with imence laods of the blubber and oile    maney of those loads I with difficuelty raised, Estonishing what custom will [do?]   
  • Fields (Field, Joseph) had killed an Elk and brought in a quarter on which we Dined    he also had killed & brought in a Deer. The Indians with the oile & bluber tole me they had to purchase of the Ca-le nixx (Tillamook Indians) and would Come to the fort & Sell to us in 3 Days time, this I incouraged, as I expect to purchase at the fort as cheep as at the village at which I was, day proved fine.   
  • Presumably the Tillamooks (Tillamook Indians) .
  • January 9, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 11, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • We found a note here informing us, that the Indians had stolen all the horses which he had sent with a serjeant and party, from Yellow Stone river (Yellowstone River) , and that the serjeant with the party came down in skin canoes and met him at this place.
  • Pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) , accompanied by Shannon (Shannon, George) , Windsor (Windsor, Richard) , and Hall (Hall, Hugh) , left Clark's (Clark, William) party near Billings (Billings, Mont.) , Montana (Montana) , on July 24, 1806, taking an easterly route on horseback toward the Mandan (Mandan Indians) -Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) villages on the Knife River (Knife River) in North Dakota (North Dakota) .
  • Pryor's (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) party lost their horses within a day or two, probably to the Crow Indians (Crow Indians) . They constructed two bullboats and headed down the Yellowstone (Yellowstone River) and the Missouri (Missouri River) , overtaking Clark (Clark, William) on August 8, in McKenzie County (McKenzie County, N.
  • August 11, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
August 27, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • This will still show the great errors of those maps of Louisiana (Louisiana) , which place the Mandan (Mandan Indians) villages 20 degrees west of the longitude of the confluence of the Missouri (Missouri River) and Mississippi (Mississippi River) ; and less than 12 degrees east of that of the mouth of the Columbia (Columbia River) ." David Thompson (Thompson, David) , to whom McKeehan (McKeehan, David) refers, was a trader and surveyor for the North West Company who made the first detailed maps, based on observation, of many areas of western Canada (Canada) and the Northwest United States. He visited the Mandan (Mandan Indians) and Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) villages in 1797 and took observations which went into his map of 1798, the one mentioned here.
  • David Thompson (Thompson, David) was in the neighborhood of the Great Bend (Missouri River, Big Bend of the) , somewhat below, when he visited the Mandan (Mandan Indians) -Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) villages. He never saw the Big Bend (Missouri River, Big Bend of the) .
  • August 27, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
October 21, 1805 - Clark, William
  • the hills are high and rugid a fiew scattering trees to be Seen on them either Small pine or Scrubey white oke. The probable reason of the Indians residing on the Stard. Side of this as well as the waters of Lewis's (Lewis (Cahwahnakiooks) River) River (Lewis (Cahwahnakiooks) River) is their fear of the Snake (Paiute Indians) Indians who reside, as they nativs Say on a great river to the South, and are at war with those tribes, 〈our to〉 one of the Old Chiefs who accompanies us pointed out a place on the lard.
  • The Shahaptian term mɨ́tx̣aw designates a Salish (Flathead Indians) -speaking group closely associated with the Columbia (Columbia River) and Okanogan (Okanogan River) rivers.
  • The location marked the downriver boundary of the Umatilla Indians (Umatilla Indians) where over one hundred persons lived. It was a popular area because wood was plentiful.
  • October 21, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 22, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Paiute Indians
  • on one of those Island I saw Several tooms but did not visit them— The principal Chiefs of the bands resideing about this Place is out hunting in the mountains to the S. W.—    no Indians reside on the S. W.— side of this river for fear (as we were informed) of the Snake Indians (Paiute Indians) , who are at war with the tribes on this river—.    they represent the Snake Indians (Paiute Indians) as being verry noumerous, and resideing in a great number of villages on Towarnehiooks River (Deschutes (Clark's, Towanahiook's) River) which falls in 6 miles above on the Lard.
  • October 22, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 13, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Atsina Indians
  • their tobacco is of the same kind of these used by the Minnetares (Hidatsa Indians) Mandans (Mandan Indians) and Ricares (Arikara Indians) of the Missouri (Missouri River) .   
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) had met the Lemhi Shoshones (Shoshone Indians, Lemhi) , a division of the Northern Shoshones (Shoshone Indians) of the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains) , known to the Great Plains (Great Plains) tribes as "Snakes (Shoshone Indians) " or "Grass Lodges (Shoshone Indians) ."
  • August 13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 6, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Gravolin (Gravelines, Joseph) our Ricara (Arikara Indians) Interpreter & 2 of our french hands & 2 boys Set out in a Canoe for the Ricaras (Arikara Indians)    Mr. ravelli[n] (Gravelines, Joseph) is to accompany the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) Chiefs to the City of Washington (Washington D.C.)
  • November 6, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 2, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and the Greater part of the party went up to the 2nd village of the mandans (Mandan Indians) a frolicking, after the Same manner as yesterday at the 1st village.    a nomber of Indians and Squaws came to the fort from the first village. Brought us corn to pay our blacksmiths for repairing their Squaw axes Bridles &.C.    the most of the men returned toward evening & Sd. that the Indians were much diverted at seeing them dance.    they used them verry friendly &.C.
  • January 2, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
January 14, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 14th of January 1805 Monday This morning early a number of indians men womin children Dogs &c & passed down on the ice to joine those that passed yesterday, we Sent Sergt Pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) and five men with those indians to hunt    〈(Several men with the Venereal cought from the Mandan (Mandan Indians) women)〉    one of our hunters Sent out Several days arived & informs that one Man (Whitehouse (Whitehouse, Joseph) ) is frost bit and Can't walk home— Ordway (Ordway, John) notes the man was Shannon (Shannon, George) .
  • January 14, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 7, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • The Sergt. of the guard reported that the Indian women (wives to our interpreters[)] were in the habit of unbaring the fort gate at any time of night and admitting their Indian visitors, I therefore directed a lock to be put to the gate and ordered that no Indian but those attatched to the garrison should be permitted to remain all night within the fort or admitted during the period which the gate had been previously ordered to be kept shut which was from sunset untill sunrise.—
  • February 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
March 17, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • clear and pleasant.    all the Indian Goods put out to air also the parched Meal. Mr. Sharbonow (Charbonneau, Toussaint) began to move his baggage across the river in order to Go up to the Grossvantares (Hidatsa Indians) to live.   
  • Warner (Werner, William) has lost his Tommahawk, expect the Indians Stole it. William Werner (Werner, William) of the party.
  • March 17, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
Lewis & Clark among the Indians 6. Across the Divide
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians 6. Across the Divide
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians
  • Then suddenly, some two miles off, Lewis spotted an Indian horse and rider cantering toward him. With the aid of his small telescope, Lewis identified the Indian as a Shoshoni .
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • James P. Ronda
November 1, 1805 - Clark, William
  • I Can't lern whether those Indians trade with white people or Inds. below for the Beeds & copper, which they are So fond of—    They are nearly necked, prefuring beeds to anything—    Those Beeds they trafick with Indians Still higher up this river for Skins robes &c. &c. The Indians on those waters do not appear to be Sickly, Sore eyes are Common and maney have lost their eyes, Some one and, maney both, they have bad teeth, and the greater perpotion of them have worn their teeth down, maney into the gums, They are rather Small high Cheeks, women Small and homely, maney of them had Sweled legs, large about the knees,—owing to the position in which they Set on their hams, They are nearly necked only a piece of leather tied about their breech and a Small robe which generally comes to a little below their wastes and Scercely Sufficely large to cover arround them when confined—    they are all fond of Clothes but more So of Beeds perticularly blue & white beeds.
  • men take more of the drugery off the women than is common with Indians— Shape of a Hut Door, November 1, 1805, Elkskin-bound Journal Missouri Historical Society Names of Tribes E-neé-Shur (Tenino Indians)    at the falls E-chee-lute (Wishram-Wasco Indians)    at the lower whorl Che-luck-it-te-guar (Wishram-Wasco Indians)    below Chim-ná-pum (Yakima Indians)    Nation above qua-Ca-ha (Qua-Ca-ha Indians) —    near Again, probably a seal rather than a sea otter; see above, October 23, 1805.
  • November 1, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 12, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • two tails of this bird is esteemed by the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Minetares (Hidatsa Indians) Ricares (Arikara Indians) , &c as the full value of a good horse, or gun and accoutrements. with the Great and little Osages (Osage Indians) and those nations inhabiting countries where this bird is more rare the price is even double of that mentioned. with these feathers the natives decorate the stems of their sacred pipes or callamets (Calumet Indians) ; whence the name, of Callamet Eagle, which has generally obtained among the Engages.    the Ricares (Arikara Indians) have domesticated this bird in many instancies for the purpose of obtaining it's plumage.   
  • in either case the Indians preseve and eat the blubber and oil as has been before mentioned.   
  • March 12, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 9, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Friday 1804 a verry hard frost this morning    we Continue to build our Cabens, under many disadvantages, Day Cloudy wind from the N W.    Several Indians pass with flying news, [NB: reports] we got a 〈Squar〉 White weasel, (Taile excepted which was black at the end) of an Indian    Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) walked to the hill abt. ¾ of a mile—    we are Situated in a point of the Missouri (Missouri River) North Side in a Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy Containing an imence quantity of water    Brickle & Soft 〈fine〉 food for Horses to winter (as is Said by the Indians)    The Mandans (Mandan Indians) Graze their horses in the day on Grass, and at night give them a Stick [NB: an arm full] of Cotton wood [NB: boughs] to eate, Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or round House, Covd. with earth with a fire in the middle great number of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high The long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata, then unknown to science.
  • November 9, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
December 12, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark Thursday 12th December 1805 All hands that are well employ'd in Cutting logs and raising our winter Cabins, detached two men to Split boards—    Some rain at intervales all last night and to day—    The flees were So troublesom last night that I made but a broken nights rest, we find great dificuelty in getting those trouble insects out of our robes and blankets—    in the evening two Canoes of Clât Sops (Clatsop Indians) Visit us they brought with them Wap pa to, a black Swet root they Call Sha-na toe qua, and a Small Sea Otter Skin, all of which we purchased for a fiew fishing hooks and a Small Sack of Indian tobacco which was given by the Snake Inds (Paiute Indians) . Those Indians appear well disposed    we gave a Medal to the principal Chief named Con-ny-au (Coboway) or Com mo-wol (Coboway) and treated those with him with as much attention as we could—    I can readily discover that they are Close deelers, & Stickle for a verry little, never close a bargin except they think they have the advantage    Value Blue beeds highly, white they also prise but no other Colour do they Value in the least—    the Wap pa to they Sell high, this root the purchase at a high price from the nativs above.
  • December 12, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 11, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Clark Saturday 11th of January 1806 Sent a party early this morning for the Elk which was killed on the 9th    they returned with it in the evining; This morning the Serjt. of the guard reported that our Indian Canoe had gone a Drift, on enquiry we found that those who Came in it last evening had been negligent in Secureing her, and the tide in Corse of the night had taken her off; we Sent a party down to the bay in Serch of her, they returned unsecksessfull, the party who went up the river and Creek after meat were derected to look out for her but were equally unsecksessfull; this will be a verry considerable loss to us if we do not recover her, She is so light that 4 men Can Carry her on their Sholders a mile or more without resting, and will Carry four men and from 10 to 12 hundred pounds. The Cath lâ mâhs (Cathlamet Indians) left us this evening on their way to the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) , to whome they perpose bartering their wappato for the blubber & Oil of the whale, which the latter purchased for Beeds &c. from the Kil á mox (Tillamook Indians) ; in this manner there is a trade Continually Carried on by the nativs of the river each tradeing Some articles or other with their neighbours above and below them, and those articles which are Vended by the whites at their enterance of this river, find their way to the most distant nations inhabiting its waters.
  • January 11, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 25, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • we met a canoe of the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) going down with their canoe loaded with fish and wa pa toes.   
  • M. at which time we set out    met 2 canoes of the Clotsops (Clatsop Indians) loaded with dried fish and wa pa toes &C & Sturgeon which they had purchased above.    we crossed over to an Island on which was a fishing Camp of the Cath le mahs (Cathlamet Indians) .    they had a vast Site of Sturgeon    one of the men purchased a Sea otter Skin, the price of which was a dressed Elk Skin and a Silk hankerchief.   
  • March 25, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
September 16, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • loaded with marchandize and bound for the Kanzas Nation (Kansa Indians) of Indians.    this boat was under the charge of Mr Reubados (Robidoux, Joseph) Son.   
  • our officers gave instructions to this trador after reading his passport directing them not to speak against the government of the United States to the Indians as his brothers did to the Zotoes (Oto Indians) last winter.   
  • September 16, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
May 29, 1805 entry by Meriwether Lewis, part 2
  • May 29, 1805 entry by Meriwether Lewis, part 2 in this manner the Indians of the Missouri distroy vast herds of buffaloe at a stroke; for this purpose one of the most active and fleet young men is scelected and 〈being〉 disguised in a robe of buffaloe skin, having also the skin of the buffaloe's head with the years and horns fastened on his head in form of a cap, thus caparisoned he places himself at a convenient distance between a herd of buffaloe and a precipice proper for the purpose, which happens in many places on this river for miles together; the other indians now surround the herd on the back and flanks and at a signal agreed on all shew themselves at the same time moving forward towards the buffaloe; the disguised indian or decoy has taken care to place himself sufficiently nigh the buffaloe to be noticed by them when they take to flight and runing before them they follow him in full speede to the precepice, the cattle behind driving those in front over and seeing them go do not look or hesitate about following untill the whole are precipitated down the precepice forming one common mass of dead an mangled carcases; the 〈Indian〉 decoy in the mean time has taken care to secure himself in some cranney or crivice of the clift which he had previously prepared for that purpose.   
  • N.D.
  • Multimedia
  • Gary E. Moulton
October 18, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Indian Groups on Columbia River (Columbia River) and Affluents, ca. October 18, 1805, Elkskin-bound Journal Missouri Historical Society Took a meridian altitude 68° 57' 30" the Suns upper Limb.
  • passed a 2d at 2 miles, on its upr. Point 2 Lodges of Indians fishing at a rapid opsd. the lower point    psd. 9 Lodges of Indians fishing on an Island on the Stard.
  • The tremendous number of archaeological sites in this area makes determination of the particular Indian villages which Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) discuss difficult to assess.
  • October 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
The Way to the Western Sea Lewis and Clark across the Continent
  • His story was blood, thunder, and life with the Indians. English-born, he cared next to nothing about Lewis and Clark.
  • They had not heard a word about it from the Indians. And the Lydia had learned nothing of them until after the whites had gone inland to settle at Fort Clatsop—a move the Indians represented as a departure for the East.
  • Some historians evade the issue, saying the Indians' silence was an enigma. Others have cooked up a conspiracy theory.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • David Lavender
June 23, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • We had again a fine morning; and the men went out to hunt. While they were out the two Indians went on. About 11 o'clock the hunters came in without having killed any thing; and at noon two men came to our camp with orders for four of us to follow the Indians, if they were gone, until we should overtake them, and get them to halt if possible, till the party should come up; but if not, to follow them on and blaze the way after them; as the man who had gone to enquire for a guide had not returned, and it was not known whether he would get one or not.
  • I immediately started with three of the men after the Indians, leaving one to take care of the camp, and the lame horse and some more that were there.
  • The captains had sent Drouillard (Drouillard, George) and Shannon (Shannon, George) to the Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) on June 18 to obtain guides; they returned to the camp at Weippe Prairie (Weippe Prairie (Camas Flats, Quawmash Flats)) later this day with three young men who agreed to assist them.
  • June 23, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
May 27, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Came to from the Mahars (Omaha Indians) [NB: Mahar (Omaha Indians) ] nation, [NB: living 730 miles above on the Missouri (Missouri River) ] 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 (Pawnee Indians) , [NB: Paunees (Pawnee Indians) on the river Platt (Platte (Little Platte) River (Mo.)) ] the other from Grand Osage (Great Osage Indians) , they informed nothing of Consequence, passed a Creek on the Lbd Side Called ash Creek (Frame 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 (Rivière à la Loutre (Otter River)) , her[e] the men we left hunting Came in    we camped on a Willow Island in the mouth of Gasconnade River (Gasconade River) .
  • pd. upr. pt by Isd. & 2 Creeks S. 70°W.   5 ms. to pt. opsd. the Gasconnade R (Gasconade River)   15 ½   These men had been trading with the Great (or Grand) Osages (Great Osage Indians) , probably on the Osage River (Osage (Osarge) River) in Missouri (Missouri) .
  • May 27, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 13, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S. and two Creeks Called the round bend Creeks (Palmer Creek)    between those two Creeks and behind a Small willow Island in the bend is a Prarie in which the Missouries Indians (Missouri Indians) once lived and the Spot where 300 [NB: 200] of them fell a Sacrifise to the fury of the Saukees (Sauk Indians)    This nation (Missouries) (Missouri Indians) once the most noumerous nation in this part of the Continent now reduced to about 80 fes. and that fiew under the protection of the Otteaus (Oto Indians) [NB: Ottoes (Oto Indians) ] on R Platt (Platte River (Nebr.))
  • June 13, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 14, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we met a Causseu from the Pania (Pawnee Indians) [NB: Paunee (Pawnee Indians) ] on the River Platt (Platte River (Nebr.)) , we detained 2 hours with a view of engageing one of the hands to go to the Pania (Pawnee Indians) nation with a View to get those people to meet us on the river.
  • he fired his gun & the noise was increased, he has heard the indians Mention This Species of Snake    one Frenchman give a Similar account Course & Distance June 14th S. 33° W 2 ms. to Lowr. pt. on an Isd.
  • Floyd (Floyd, Charles) says the four were "3 French men and one Negro [X: Mallato]" and that "2 of them is half preades of the poncas (Pawnee Indians) ," by which he may mean Pawnees (Pawnee Indians) . Coues (HLC), 1:25.
  • June 14, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 29, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Pigeon (Beaver, Indian Knob, Round-Knob) Creek (Iowa)
  • Clark July 29th Sunday 1804 Sent a french man la Liberty (La Liberté) with the Indian to Otteaze (Oto Indians) Camp to invite the Indians to meet us on the river above—    a Dark rainey morning    wind from the W.
  • W.—    rained all the last night—    Set out at 5 oClock    opposit the (1) Island, 〈in〉 the bend to the right or S. S. is within 20 feet of Indian Knob Creek (Pigeon (Beaver, Indian Knob, Round-Knob) Creek (Iowa)) , the water of this Creek is 5 feet higher than that of the River.   
  • July 29, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 15, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Durioue (Dorion, Pierre, Sr.) the Souix (Sioux Indians) interpeter & three men to examine a fire which threw up an emence Smoke from the Prarie on the N.
  • Side of the River and at no great distance from Camp—    the Object of this party was to find Some Bands of Seouex (Sioux Indians) which the inptr. thought was near the Smoke and get them to Come in— in the evening this Party returned and infoermed, that the fire arrose from Some trees which had been left burning by a Small party of Seoux (Sioux Indians) whom had passed [NB?
  • our party all in health and Sperrits    the men Sent to the Ottoes (Oto Indians) & in pursute of the Deserter Reed (Reed, Moses B.)
  • August 15, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 26th of October Friday 1804 Set out early    wind from the S W    proceeded on    Saw numbers of the Mandins (Mandan Indians) on Shore, we Set the Ricare (Arikara Indians) Chief on Shore, and we proceeded on to the Camp of two of their Grand Chiefs where we delayed a fiew minits, with the Chiefs and proceeded on takeing two of their Chiefs on board & Some of the heavy articles of his house hole, Such as earthen pots & Corn, proceeded on, at this Camp Saw a [NB: Mr] McCracken (McCracken, Hugh) Englishmon from the N. W [NB: Hudson Bay] Company    this mana Came nine Days ago to trade for horses & Buffalo robes,— one other man Came with him.    the Indians Continued on the banks all day—    but little wood on this part of the river, many Sand bars and bad places, water much devided between them— for the 26th.
  • S. 26 W.   2 mes. to a wood in the bend Camp of Mandan (Mandan Indians) L. S. West   1 mes. to to a tree in bind L.
  • October 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 31, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 31st of October Wednesday 1804    The main Chief of the mandans (Mandan Indians) Sent 2 Cheifs for 〈us〉 to envite us to Come to his Lodge, and here what he has to Say    I with 2 interpetes walked down, and with great Cerimony was Seated on a Robe by the Side of the Chief; he threw a Robe highly decoraterd over my Sholders, and after Smokeing a pipe with the old men in the Circle, the Chief Spoke    "he belived all we had told him, and that peace would be genl. which not only gave himself Satisfaction but all his people; they now Could hunt without fear & their women could work in the fields without looking every moment for the ememey, as to the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) addressing himself to the Chief with me    you know we do not wish war with your nation, you have brought it on your Selves, that man Pointing to the 2d Chief and those 2 young warriers will go with you & Smoke in the pipes of peace with the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) —    I will let you see my father addressing me that we wish to be at peace with all and do not make war upon any—["]    he continud to Speak in this Stile (refer to notes)    he delivered 2 of the Traps to me which was taken from the french men, gave me 2 bushels of Corn, I answered the Speech which appeared to give general Satisfaction—and returned to the boat, In the evening the Chief Visited us Dressed in his new Suit, & delayed until late    the men Dancd until 10 oClock which was common with them    wrote to the N W Copanys agent on the Ossinniboin River (Assiniboine River) by a Mr.
  • Clark (Clark, William) evidently refers to notes of speeches by Indian chiefs which are printed here under their proper dates. This meeting is discussed in Ronda (LCAI), 85–87.
  • He visited the Mandans (Mandan Indians) and Hidatsas (Hidatsa Indians) himself in 1806, but was not enthusiastically received.
  • October 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 7, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Dak.)) 7th of January Monday 1805 a verry Cold clear Day, the Themtr Stood at 22 d below 0 wind N W., the river fell 1 inch    Several indians returned from hunting, one of them the Big White (Big White (Sheheke)) Chef of the Lower Mandan (Mandan Indians) Village, Dined with us, and gave me a Scetch of the Countrey as far as the high mountains, & on the South Side of the River Rejone (Yellowstone River) , he Says that the river rejone (Yellowstone River) recves [NB: receives] 6 Small rivers on the S.
  • had received enough information from Indians before Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark's (Clark, William) time to have given it a name, perhaps derived from the yellow rocks in the river's upper canyon in present Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone National Park) .
  • The Great Falls of the Missouri (Missouri River, Great Falls of the) , as the Indians told him, were roughly due west of the Mandan (Mandan Indians) villages.
  • January 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 27, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • we passed the South & west forks, and Camped at an old Indian Camp on the point a Short distance up the North fork (Jefferson River (North, Southwest Fork)) .   
  • we expected to have found the Snake (Shoshone Indians) nation of Indians at this place, but as we expect they are further up the River, or perhaps they are gone over the mountains to the Columbian River (Columbia River) on the other Side to fish &C.   
  • The best evidence is that Sacagawea (Sacagawea) was captured by Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) ( Gros Ventres (Hidatsa Indians) ) raiders in about 1800 near the town of Three Forks (Three Forks, Mont.) .
  • July 27, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
November 26, 1805 - Clark, William
  • E, we Set out out early and crossed a Short distance above the rock out in the river, & between Some low marshey Islands (Marsh (Seal) Island) to the South Side of the Columbia (Columbia River) at a low bottom about 3 miles below Point Samuel and proceeded near the South Side leaveing the Seal Islands (Marsh (Seal) Island) to our right and a marshey bottom to the left 5 Miles to the Calt-har-mar (Cathlamet Indians) [NB: Cathlahma (Cathlamet Indians) ] Village of 9 large wood houses on a handsom elivated Situation near the foot of a Spur of the high land behind a large low Island Seperated from the Southerly Shore by a Chanel of about 200 yards Wide, This nation appear to differ verry little either in language, Customs dress or appearance from the Chin nooks (Chinook Indians) & War-ci â cum (Wahkiakum Indians) live principally on fish and pap-pato    they have also other roots, and Some Elk meat.
  • after dining on the fresh fish which we purchased, we proceeded on through a Deep bend to the South and encamped under a high hill, where we found much difficuelty in precureing wood to burn, as it was raining hard, as it had been the greater part of the day.    Soon after we encamped 3 Indians of the last town Came in a Canoe with wap-pato roots to Sell to us    Some of which we purchased with fish hooks— from the Village quite around this bend to the West the land is high and thickly timbered with pine balsom &c.    a Short distance below the Calt har mer (Cathlamet Indians) Village on the Island which is Opposit I observed Several Canoes Scaffold in which Contained their dead, as I did not examine this mode of deposing the dead, must refer it to a discription hereafter.
  • November 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 21, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • The Indians however did not resent it, otherwise it is probable we would have had a skirmish with them.
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) says the Indian stole the iron socket off a canoe pole and admits giving him "several severe blows."
  • Gass's (Gass, Patrick) name refers to the "Snake" (Paiute) Indians (Paiute Indians) living on the river, whom he supposes to be the same as the Shoshones (Snakes) (Shoshone Indians) the party encountered in Idaho (Idaho) .
  • April 21, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
August 21, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • There are also a great many of the Chien, or Dog (Cheyenne Indians) nation encamped here, in large handsome leather lodges; and who have come to trade with the Rickarees (Arikara Indians) for corn and beans, for which they give in exchange buffaloe meat and robes.
  • Clark (Clark, William) gives this as the second village, but it was the first going downriver. This was the Arikara (Arikara Indians) village, or villages, on the north bank of the Missouri (Missouri River) in Corson County (Corson County, S.
  • McKeehan's (McKeehan, David) note: "We think that some further proof is necessary to establish the weakness and superstition of these Indians. Had the chief persevered in his rejection of the medal, we, instead of thinking him silly and superstitious, would have been inclined to the opinion, that he was the wisest Indian on the Missouri (Missouri River) ."
  • August 21, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
May 25, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Side Called La Querer (Lake Creek) [NB: quiver] at 5 miles    passed a [NB: small] Creek 〈called R la freeau (Tuque (La Freeau) Creek) 〉 at 8 mile, opsd. an Isd. on the Lbd Side, Camped at the mouth of a Creek called 〈 River a Chauritte〉 (Charette Creek) , [NB: La Charrette (Charette Creek) ] 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 (Loisel, Régis) imedeately down from the 〈Seeeder〉 (Cedar Island (Mo.))
  • Situated in the Countrey of the Suxex (Sioux Indians) [NB: Sioux (Sioux Indians) ] 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 (Ponca Indians) —[NB: Poncaras (Ponca Indians) ] [Poncas (Ponca Indians) ]    Some hard rain this evening Course & Distance 25th May West—   3 ms.
  • The latter forwarded it to Madrid (Madrid, Spain) , with a recommendation that Loisel (Loisel, Régis) be made an Indian agent to secure the friendship of the tribes for Spain (Spain) and forestall American ambitions in the West.
  • May 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 17, 1804 - Clark, William
  • on the N. side   "   just above the old Missouries (Missouri Indians) Village 254 in Lattitude 38° 47 54 North   "   the mo: of the Kanzies River (Kansas (Decaugh, Kaw) River) S.
  • S. 632             "   the White Catfish Camp (White Catfish Camp (Iowa)) 10 Ms. abov— 642 "    do 41   3 19 "   "   Council Bluff (Council Bluff (Nebr.)) (with the Ottoes (Oto Indians) ) S. S. 682 "    do 41 17 — "   "   Mo. of the Little Siouex River (Little Sioux (Ye-yeau War-da-pon) River) N. S. 766 "    do 41 42 34 "   "   Camp Opsd. the Mahars (Omaha Indians) Village S. S. 864 "    do 42 13 41 " The Longitudes are not yet Calculated, We must be at this time about 99° 45' 00" West of Greenwich—    I Collected a grass much resembling wheet with a gran like Rye, much fuller of grain, one like Rye & one like Barley grass Small, a Grass like Timothey except the Seed which is on branches from the main Stalk— Late this evening one of the party Sent after the deserters returned & joined us, he left the party 3 miles back, they cought both Deserters, one of them La liberty (La Liberté) , got away from them, the Great Chief & 2nd Chief of the ottoes (Oto Indians) accompaned the Party with a view to bring about a Peice between themselves & the Mahar (Omaha Indians)    a great missfortune that the Mahars (Omaha Indians) have not returned from the hunt—    Sent & fiered the Prarie near Camp to bring in the Mahars (Omaha Indians) & Souex (Sioux Indians) if any are near.   
  • August 17, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 12, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Bear Den (Charbonneau's, Indian) Creek
  • Bear Den (Charbonneau's, Indian) Creek
  • the two Fields (Field, Joseph and Reubin) Came up and drew up to Shoot the Indian which Capt L. (Lewis, Meriwether) forbid the indians then attempted to drive off all the horses.
  • August 12, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 13, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Called Creeks of the round Bend (Palmer Creek) , between those Creeks Stbd S. is a butifull Prarie, in which the antient Missourie (Missouri River) Indians had a Village,    at this place 300 of them were killed by the Saukees (Sauk Indians) , a fair Day.    Passed the antient Missouries (Missouri Indians) villages on right    Course N 40° W 2½ pt. L S., S 29° W 3 ms. pt.
  • Ibid.; MRC map 10. The Missouris (Missouri Indians) , or Missourias (Missouri Indians) , called after the river, when first noticed in 1673 were situated at the mouth of the Grand River (Grand River (Mo.))
  • June 13, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 14, 1806 - Clark, William
  • they are excessively fond of the pounded fish haveing frequently asked us for Some of it—.    the Indians who prepared this pounded fish made Signs that they traded it with people below them for Beeds and trinkets &c and Showed us maney articles of European manufacture which they obtained for it; The Skillutes (Watlala Indians) and Indians about the great rapids (Columbia River, Cascades (Great Rapids, Great Shute)) are the intermediate merchants and Carryers, and no doubt Consume a part of this fish themselves and dispose of the ballance of it to the natives of the Sea coast, and from this obtain Such articles as they again trade with the whites. The persons who usially visit the enterence of this river for the purpose of traffic or hunting, I believe is either English or Americans; the Indians inform us that they Speak the Same language with our Selves, and gave us proofs of their varacity by repeating maney words of English, Sun of a pitch &c. [NB: heave the lead & maney blackguard phrases] whether those traders are from Nootka Sound (Nootka Sound) , from Some other late establishment on this Coast, or imediately from the U States or Great Britain (Britain) , I am at a loss to determine, nor Can the Indians inform us.    the Indians whome I have asked in what direction the traders go when they depart from hence, allways point to the S.
  • January 14, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
Lewis & Clark among the Indians Preface
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians Preface
  • Lewis & Clark among the Indians
  • What this book does offer is something new for the history of exploration in general and Lewis and Clark literature in particular—a full-scale contact study of the official and personal relations between the explorers and the Indians. In 1952, Bernard De Voto wrote that "a dismaying amount of our history has been written without regard to the Indians."
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • James P. Ronda
August 14, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Tukudika Indians
  • I told them that the Minnetares (Hidatsa Indians) Mandans (Mandan Indians) & Recares (Arikara Indians) of the Missouri (Missouri River) had promised us to desist from making war on them & that we would indevour to find the means of making the Minnetares of fort d Prarie (Atsina Indians) or as they call them Pahkees (Atsina Indians) desist from waging war against them also.   
  • However, the "broken moccasins (Tukudika Indians) " have also been identified as the Bannocks, Northern Paiutes (Northern Paiute Indians) closely associated with the Northern Shoshones (Shoshone Indians) , and as a mythical people.
  • August 14, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
October 22, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • we proceeded on at 9 oClock    we met a 11 Indians of the Souix (Sioux Indians) nation yankton (Sioux Indians, Yankton) tribe.   
  • October 22, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
September 5, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • This was a fine morning with a great white frost. The Indian dogs are so hungry and ravenous, that they eat 4 or 5 pair of our mockasons last night. We remained here all day, and recruited our horses to 40 and 3 colts; and made 4 or 5 of this nation of Indians chiefs. They are a very friendly people; have plenty of robes and skins for covering, and a large stock of horses, some of which are very good; but they have nothing to eat, but berries, roots and such articles of food. This band is on its way over to the Missouri (Missouri River) or Yellow-stone (Yellowstone River) river to hunt buffaloe. They are the whitest Indians I ever saw.
  • September 5, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
January 1, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Two of our party were sent out to hunt.    Several Indians came to the fort on a visit.    They were entirely naked, excepting a breech Cloth which they wore & Skins thrown over their Shoulders.   
  • In the afternoon the hunters returned to the Fort, they had killed 2 large Buck Elks 〈bucks〉 Clatsop (Clatsop Indians) Indians, say Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) .
  • January 1, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph

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