Journals of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition

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May 1, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • So we Camped by the branch having made 26 miles this day    Soon after we Camped two young men of the wal-awal tribe (Walula Indians) came up to our Camp & brought us our Steel trap which was forgot at their village.   
  • we gave them one a knife the other a Sun glass, &.C. and a little vension    the wal-a-wal trib (Walula Indians) e of Flat heads (Flathead Indians) have proved themselves the honnestest Savages we have met with for they had great chance to Steel had they been disposed, but instead of that they helped us as much as lay in their power and believe that we will return and trade with them, as we have told them    they disired us to bring them guns and ammunition, copper kittles.   
  • May 1, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
June 21, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • when we got down on Collinses Creek (Lolo (Collins's) Creek (Idaho)) we met 2 Indians who were on their way to cross the mountn.    they had our 4 horses takeing them back to us    had 5 horses of their own and provision to last them across the mountains.    we halted and dined below the forks of Collinses Creek (Lolo (Collins's) Creek (Idaho)) .    these 2 Indians told us that we could have went on if in case we could have found the road, for as the Snow bears up the horses all can cross the high parts which is covred So thick with Snow in about 3 days and our horses cannot git any thing to eat dureing that time.    we ascended the hill to the Samll prarie    the 2 Indians halted here to stay 2 or 3 days & wait for us to kill some meat & then pilot us across the Snow mountains (Bitterroot (Snow) Mountains) .
  • June 21, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
July 3, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • to Trade with the kansars (Kansa Indians) Indians. The land is Good high bottom pine Timber & black wallnut honey locas oak &C.
  • July 3, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 15, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • Side of the Missouri River (Missouri River)    〈3〉 4 men went over to See if their was any Indians, they Returned without finding any Indians; hard wind F. N. w.
  • August 15, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
November 2, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 2nd Novr. 1804 Friday—    Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) returned to the Village & I fixed on a place for to build a fort and Set to work    Cap Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) returned in the eveng with 11 bushels of Corn, the Ricarre (Arikara Indians) Chief Set out for his Village accompanied by Several mandans (Mandan Indians) — The site of Fort Mandan (Fort Mandan (N.
  • November 2, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 19, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark (Clark, William) 19th of November 1804    our hunters return with 32 Deerr, 12 Elk & a Buffalow    Ice ran which detained the huntes much    Cap lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) visit the Me ne tar rees (Hidatsa Indians) , the 25th and returned the 27th of Nov. with 2 Chiefs &c. &c. and told me that 2 Clerks & 5 men of the N W Company & Several of the hudsons Bay Company had arrived with goods to trade with the indians    a Mr. La Roche (Larocque, François-Antoine) & Mc Kinzey (McKenzie, Charles) are the Celerks    (Distanc 150 Miles across) Biddle's (Biddle, Nicholas) notation after the first date on this document 64 of the Field Notes reads "to 3d April 1805."
  • November 19, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 27, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 27th of January Sunday 1804 a fine day, attempt to Cut our Boat and Canoos out of the Ice, a deficuelt Task I fear as we find waters between the Ice, I Bleed the man with the Plurisy to day & Swet him, Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took of the Toes of one foot of the Boy who got frost bit Some time ago, Shabono (Charbonneau, Toussaint) e (Charbonneau, Toussaint) our interpeter returned, & informed that the Assiniboins (Assiniboine Indians) had returned to their Camps, & brough 3 horses of Mr. Laroches (Larocque, François-Antoine) to Stay here for fear of their being Stolen by the Assiniboins (Assiniboine Indians) who are great rogues—    Cut off the boy toes— Clark (Clark, William) has been correcting the year for his January entries, here he missed one.
  • January 27, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 7, 1805 - Clark, William
  • the Coal (Coal, The (Sho-ta-harro-ra)) visited us with a Sick child, to whome I gave Some of rushes (Rush, Benjamin) Pills—    Shabounar (Charbonneau, Toussaint) returned this evening from the Gross Vintres (Hidatsa Indians) & informed that all the nation had returned from the hunting—    he our menetarre (Hidatsa Indians) interpeter had received a present from Mr.
  • March 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 23, 1805 - Clark, William
  • we killed in the Same bottom 4 deer & a antelope & left them on the river bank for the Canoes    proceeded on an Indian roade through a wider Vallie which the Missouri (Missouri River) Passes about 25 miles & Camped on the bank of the river, High mountains on either Side of the Vallie Containing Scattering Pine & Cedar Some Small Cotton willow willow &c. on the Islands & bank of the river    I Saw no fresh Sign of Indians to day    Great number of antelopes Some Deer & a large Gangue of Elk On Atlas map 63 the dotted line indicating Clark's (Clark, William) route does not go through the July 22 campsite, his actual starting point on the twenty-third.
  • July 23, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 20, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • the men at Camp all employed dressing Skins &C.    the 2 Indians at our Camp behave verry well and their Squaws mend our mockisons, and make Some &C. and are as friendly as any Savages we have yet Seen.   
  • it got away and carried the trap 2 miles down the river    he got it in the afternoon it was a verry large beaver.    the Indians eat it.    a nomber of fine Trout caught this day. Capt. Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) went a Short distance down the River and looked out a place undiscovered from the natives for a carsh or hole to hide Some of our baggage which we can Spare or do without untill our return
  • August 20, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
June 1, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • Two hunters went out this morning, and some of the natives came to see us. The sick Indian is getting much better. The officers got some bear-skins from the Indians, that are almost as white as a blanket.
  • June 1, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
September 6, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • and is under charge of a frenchman and are going up to the yanktons (Sioux Indians, Yankton) at a wintering house below white stone river (Vermillion (White Stone) River (S.
  • our officers purswaded them not to trade with the Tetons (Sioux Indians, Teton) nation    we delayed about 2 hours and procd. on. Some of the hunters Stayed back to hunt and did not join us this evening.
  • September 6, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
The Way to the Western Sea Lewis and Clark across the Continent
  • Lewis, Meriwether, and William Clark. A Statistical View of the Indian Nations Inhabiting the Territory of Louisiana. American State Papers, Indian Affairs, no. 113, 9th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, 1806.
  • Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1972. McGee, W. J. The Siouan Indians. In In The Sioux Indians: A Socio-Ethnological History. New York: Sal Lewis. McKenzie, Charles. The Mississouri Indians. In L. R. Masson, Les Bourgeois de la Compagnie du Nord-Ouest.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • David Lavender
August 3, 1806 - Clark, William
  • to an establishment on this river at clarks Fork (Clark Fork (Clark's, East Fork Clark's, Flathead) River) the Shoshones (Shoshone Indians) both within and West of the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains) would willingly resort for the purposes of trade as they would in a great measure be relived from the fear of being attacked by their enimies the blackfoot Indians (Blackfeet Indians) and Minnetares of fort de Prarie (Atsina Indians) , which would most probably happen were they to visit any establishment which could be conveniently formed on the Missouri (Missouri River) . I have no doubt but the same regard to personal safety would also induce many numerous nations inhabiting the Columbia (Columbia River) and Lewis's river (Snake (Ki-moo-e-nim, Lewis's, Southeast Branch of Columbia) River) West of the mountains to visit this establishment in preference to that at the entrance of Maria's river (Marias River) , particularly during the first years of those Western establishments.    the Crow Indians (Crow Indians) , Paunch Indians (Crow Indians) Castahanah's (Castahana Indians) and others East of the mountains and south of this place would also visit this establishment; it may therefore be looked to as one of the most important establishments of the western fur trade.   
  • on the Missouri (Missouri River) near the mouth of the Marias (Marias River) in 1831, it was for the purpose of trading with the Blackfeet (Blackfeet Indians) themselves. Oglesby, 54–59, 93–115; Ewers (BRNP), 50–52, 60; Chittenden, 1:141–44, 333–36.
  • August 3, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
Weather, October 1804 - Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
  • .—   5th slight white frost last night—    brant & geese passing to South   6th frost as last night    saw teal, mallard, & Gulls large.   8th arrived at Recare (Arikara Indians) vilage, visited the Chief on the Island   9th wind blew hard this morning drove the boat from her anker, came to Shore, some brant & geese passing to the south, 〈spoke to them recares (Arikara Indians) 〉   10th had the mill erected    shewed the savages its operation, spoke to them shot my airgun.   
  • Clark (Clark, William) says the Sioux (Sioux Indians) came "on the L. S. with their guns cocked." Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) left out the word "camp," which Clark (Clark, William) included. Clark (Clark, William) adds, "maney of the Indians of different villages visit us." Clark's (Clark, William) version reads, "Examoned the Country in advance for Several Leagues for a place for winter encampment without finding a Spot Calculated for one."
  • October 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William; Lewis, Meriwether
September 30, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Kept down this Creek 2 miles and left it to our left hand passing on a dividing ridge    passed Some dreans to our left   160   West     6 miles to an Pierced nose (Nez Perce Indians) Indian Village in a Small Plain pasd. thro a open pine Countery    Crossed 2 runs pass- ing to our left N. 70° W.     2 miles to a 2d. village passing through the open Plains Covered with horses &. & Indian womin diging roots
  • The word " Clark's (Clark, William) " appears to have been substituted for an erased word. "Flat head (Flathead Indians) " also may have been added later. This covers the period September 11–25, 1805, with some days missing when the party was not on the move.
  • Again, the word seems to have been added to a blank space, as does the word " Chopunnish (Nez Perce Indians) " in the next course.
  • September 30, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
The Way to the Western Sea Lewis and Clark across the Continent
  • Casualties would be high. Indians killed Potts in 1808 and Drouillard in 1810, after horribly mutilating him.
  • A headlong race for breakfast followed. Lewis's Indian companion lashed the horse they were riding at every jump. Unbearably jostled, Lewis demanded a halt, whereupon the Indian jumped off and raced ahead on foot to the feast.
  • Reluctantly the Indians agreed to the proposal. There was little sleep for anyone that night.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • David Lavender
April 3, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Some rain Campbell (Campbell, John) , a Scotch-Irish trader, had been dealing with the Indians at Prairie du Chien (Prairie du Chien) since about 1790. He was appointed U.S. Indian agent in 1807 and killed in a duel the following year. Jackson (LLC), 1:124 n. 1; Osgood (FN), 30 n. 3.
  • April 3, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 22, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • we Set out eairly proceeded on verry well    passed canom Creek on the Stard    Several Indians came to us this evening.    Gave us some venison Tuesday May 22nd    This morning being fair, we set out early and proceeded on very well.    We passed Bonhom Creek (Bonhomme (Good Man's) Creek) , laying on the South side of the River, in the Evening, several Indians came to where we encamped, & behaved very friendly, and gave us some Venison.   
  • May 22, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 16, 1804 - Clark, William
  • E. of the Mahars (Omaha Indians) .    a verry cool morning the wind as usial from the N W. Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took 12 men & went to the Pond & Crek between Camp and the old Village and Cought upwards of 800 fine fish, 79 Pike, [WC: resembling Trout 8 fish resembg Salmon Trout] 8 Salmon, 1 Rock, 1 flat Back, 127 Buffalow & red horse 4 Bass & 490 Catt. with many Small Silver fish [WC: & Scrimp]    I had a Mast made & fixed to the Boat to day, the Party Sent to the Ottoes (Oto Indians) not yet joined us—    the wind Shifted arround to the S. E.   
  • August 16, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 25, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) 2 Interpeters & 6 men Set out to See the Indians in the different Towns & Camps in this neighbour hood, we Continu to Cover & dob our huts, two Chiefs Came to See me to day one named Wau-ke-res-sa-ra (Red Shield) , a Big belley (Hidatsa Indians) and the first of that nation who has visited us Since we have been here, I gave him a Handkerchef Paint & a Saw band, and the other Some fiew articles, and paid a perticular attention which pleased them verry much, the interpeters being all with Capt.
  • November 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 26, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • our hunter on Shore killed 4 deer.    we found an Indians bow in a plain on L. S.    took on board a deer Skin which Capt.
  • also a note letting us know that he had Seen no Indians, but had Seen fresh Sign of horses &C.    we Came 19 miles this day, and Camped on the Lard.
  • July 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
November 11, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • the wind continued So high that we did not attempt to move this day    abt. 10 oClock four Indians came in a canoe to our Camp    we bought a number of Sammon Trout from them.   
  • Some of our party giged and Shot 16 Sammon Trout Perhaps Samuel Hill (Hill, Samuel) of Boston (Boston, Mass.) , skipper of the brig Lydia, who traded with the Indians of the lower Columbia (Columbia River) (see Clark's (Clark, William) entry for November 6, 1805).
  • November 11, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
December 13, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • the three lines composed 3 Squares, & the other square we intend picketting in, & to have 2 Gates at the two Corners.    We had several more Indians at our Camp this day.    they came in Canoes to see us, & to trade.    Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) purchased several kinds of Skins from these Indians, some of which were unknown to us & a curiosity 〈to us〉.—    Our two hunters that had been out hunting for some days, returned to our Camp; they informed us that they had killed 17 Elk, Geese, Ducks &ca.— Skins of the Oregon bobcat, Lynx rufus fasciatus, and the mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa.
  • December 13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
January 3, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • Clatsop Indians
  • .— Including Coboway (Coboway) and six other Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) , according to Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) .
  • January 3, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
March 2, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Whitehouse Sunday March 2d    This morning rainey & Wet, In the evening, three of our men returned who had been trading at the Clatsop (Clatsop Indians) Village.    they brought with them a considerable quantity of those small kind of fish, which we purchased from the Natives some days past; These fish were a size smaller than the herring.—    they likewise brought several Sturgeon Wapetoes Roots &ca. which they had purchased from the Natives.    The natives gave them some fish without any recompence being made to them.    These Indians catch great quantities of different kinds of fish in a Creek lying a small distance above their Village.
  • March 2, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
April 14, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • We stayed here three hours, and then proceeded on; passed several Indian camps, and halted at a small creek on the north side, where there are a number of Indian lodges.
  • April 14, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
April 19, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • Celilo Falls (Columbia River, Great Falls of the) ; Clark's (Clark, William) party went to the vicinity of Wishram (Wishram, Wash.) , Klickitat County (Klickitat County, Wash.) , Washington (Washington) , to a village of "Eneshurs (Tenino Indians) ," actually Shahaptian-language Teninos (Tenino Indians) .
  • April 19, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
May 3, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • This morning our guide and the three other Indians went on ahead. We continued our route about 10 miles, when we struck a creek, having left the other entirely to our right; and halted.
  • We encamped on a small branch or spring, as it was too far to go over the hills. The Indians say we can get over to-morrow by noon. The wind continued to blow hard and some snow showers fell in the afternoon.
  • May 3, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
May 31, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • Our canoe still lies under water at the opposite shore, but we have a small Indian canoe, that serves to cross in. In the afternoon the two men came from the village with some of the natives, and one of our old stock of horses, which is the last, except the two which they assure us the old Snake (Shoshone Indians) guide took.
  • May 31, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
March 25, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • at noon we halted and dined.    here some Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) came to us in a canoe loaded with dryed anchovies, which they call Olthen', Wappetoe and Sturgeon.   
  • here we found another party of Cathlahmahs (Cathlamet Indians) about 10 in number who had established a temperary residence for the purpose of fishing and taking seal.   
  • Lee et al., 42, 126. The Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) are discussed at November 21, 1805. "Skillutes (Watlala Indians) " is probably from the Chinookan form s(i)k̓lútk, "look (at him)!"
  • March 25, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
June 27, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Indian Grave Peak
  • In Idaho County (Idaho County, Idaho) , Idaho (Idaho) , on the first high point west of Indian Grave Peak (Indian Grave Peak) . Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) describes it as a mile short of the party's camp of September 17, 1805, marked on Atlas map 70.
  • Alexander Mackenzie (Mackenzie, Alexander) heard of the "small white buffalo" from Canadian Indians on his journey to the Arctic Ocean (Arctic Ocean) in 1789, but he never saw one.
  • June 27, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
October 17, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) took a vocabelary of the Language of those people who call themselves So kulk (Wanapam Indians) , and also one of the language of a nation resideing on a Westerly fork of the Columbia (Columbia River) which mouthes a fiew miles above this place who Call themselves Chim nâ pum (Yakima Indians)    Some fiew of this nation reside with the So kulks (Wanapam Indians) nation, Their language differ but little from either the Sokulks (Wanapam Indians) or the Chô-pun-nish (Nez Perce Indians) (or pierced nose (Nez Perce Indians) ) nation which inhabit the Koskoskia river (Clearwater (Flathead, Kooskooskee) River) and Lewis's R (Snake (Ki-moo-e-nim, Lewis's, Southeast Branch of Columbia) River) below.
  • no wood to be Seen in any derection—    On my return I was followd. by 3 canoes in which there was 20 Indians    I shot a large Prairie Cock Several Grouse, Ducks and fish.   
  • Many whites applied the term "flathead" to those who practiced head deformation, although the Indians themselves apparently reserved the term for tribes in the interior who left their heads naturally "flat" on top.
  • October 17, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 6, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark November 6th Wednesday 1805 A cool wet raney morning    we Set out early    at 4 miles pass 2 Lodges of Indians in a Small bottom on the Lard Side    I believe those Indians to be travelers.   
  • , ash &c. we killed nothing to day    The Indians leave us in the evening, river about one mile wide hills high and Steep on the Std.   
  • The name is from káwlits, in the Cowlitz (Cowlitz Indians) and Lower Chehalis (Chehalis Indians) languages. The island is apparently not shown on the maps but may be present Cottonwood island (Cottonwood Island) .
  • November 6, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 6, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Creek [NB: down glade Cr (Glade Creek) ] and entered an extensive open Leavel plain in which the Indian trail Scattered in Such a manner that we Could not pursue it.   
  • after it was over I proceeded on about 5 Miles to Some Small dry timber on a Small Creek and encampd. made large fires and dryed our Selves.    here I observed Some fresh Indian Signs where they had been gathering quawmash.    [NB: This is the great plain where Shoshonees (Shoshone Indians) gather quawmash & cows &c.   
  • A few miles to the east is the Big Hole Battlefield National Monument (Big Hole Battlefield National Monument) , site of an engagement between the Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) and the U.S. Army on August 9–10, 1877. Both the Indians and the soldiers who attacked them reached the site by Clark's (Clark, William) route through Gibbons Pass (Gibbons Pass) , named for the army commander in the battle.
  • July 6, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 23, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • The table reads as follows: Estimated Distance in Miles from Mandans (Mandan Indians) to Mo. of Missourie (Missouri River) of remarkable places from one to the other.   miles   From Mandans (Mandan Indians) to a old Ricara (Arikara Indians) village 20        Chiss cheter    River (Heart (Ches-che-tar and similar spellings) River) 38—   58      Fish Creek (Fish Creek (Idaho County, Idaho)) 35        Cannon ball R (Cannonball (Bullet) River)   5        Wann na car ne R (Beaver (War-re-con-nee, Wardepon) Creek (Emmons County, N.
  • Dak.)) 40   To [Rictars?] (Arikara Indians) village 18— 111 To We-ter-hoo—R (Grand (We-tar-hoo and similar spellings) River (S.
  • September 23, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
Part 2: Miscellany - Clark, William
  • Flathead Indians
  • 〈our Cours〉 we hired a guide and proceded on over Emenc mountains on which there was Snow Augt. & Septr. to Clarks River (Clark Fork (Clark's, East Fork Clark's, Flathead) River) a Branch of the Columbia (Columbia River) , about 100 miles where we met with the Tushepaws (Flathead Indians) or flat head Inds. (Flathead Indians)    then Down that river in a vally about 200 Miles Travelers rest Creek (Lolo (Travelers' Rest) Creek (Mont.))
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) passed imedeately to the falls of the Missouri (Missouri River, Great Falls of the) on an old indian parth of good road    left a party as that place to prepar 〈Geer & Wheels &c〉 and proceded with 3 men to Explore a large N. fork of the Missouri (Missouri River) Called Marias River (Marias River) and met with a party of Indians & was Compelled to kill 2 of them.
  • Postexpedition 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 23, 1804 - Clark, William
  • .—    we observed a great Smoke to the S W. which is an Indian Signal of their haveing discovered us, I walked on Shore and observed great numbers of Buffalows
  • Soon after we landed three Soues (Sioux Indians) boys Swam across to us, those boys informed us that a Band of Sieux (Sioux Indians) called the Tetons (Sioux Indians, Teton) 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 (Lewis, Meriwether) walked on Shore, R F.
  • September 23, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 7, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S. and brackfast    this river whin full is 90 yards wide    the water is at this time Confined within 20 yards, the Current appears jentle, this river throws out but little Sand    at the mouth of this river we Saw the Tracks of White bear which was verry large, I walked up this river a mile—    below the (2) mouth of this river, is the remains of a Rickorrie (Arikara Indians) Village or Wintering Camp fortified in a circular form of a bout 60 Lodges, built in the Same form of those passed yesterday    This Camp appears to have been inhabited last winter, many of their willow & Straw mats, Baskets & Buffalow Skin Canoes remain intire within the Camp, 〈we passed〉 the Ricares (Arikara Indians) Call this river Sur-war-kar-na (Moreau (Sur-war-kar-ne) River (S.
  • from this river [NB: which heads in the 1st black mountains (Black Hills) ] we proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the S. W.    at 10 oClock we Saw 2 Indians, on the S. S.    they asked for Something to eate, & informed us they were part of the Beiffs De Medisons [NB: Beuffles de Medecines] Lodge on their way to the Rickerreis (Arikara Indians) , passed (3) a willow Island in a bind to the S.
  • October 7, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 17, 1805 - Clark, William
  • . & Several runs of water on each Side, Saw the remains of Indian camps in every point of timbered land on the S. S.    in the evining a thunder gust passed from the S W, without rain, about Sunset Saw Some fresh Indians track and four rafts on the shore S.
  • Those I prosume were Ossinniboins (Assiniboine Indians) who had been on a war party against the Rockey Mountain (Rocky Mountains) Indians—    Saw a Curlow, Some verry large beaver taken this morning.   
  • April 17, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 23, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Side and certainly the best side to pass the canoes    I then decended through a narrow chanel of about 150 yards wide forming a kind of half circle in it course of a mile to a pitch of 8 feet in which the chanel is divided by 2 large rocks    at this place we were obliged to let the Canoes down by Strong ropes of Elk Skin which we had for the purpose, one Canoe in passing this place got loose by the Cords breaking, and was cought by the Indians below. I accomplished this necessary business and landed Safe with all the Canoes at our Camp below the falls by 3 oClock P. M. nearly covered with flees which were So thick amongst the Straw and fish Skins at the upper part of the portage at which place the nativs had been Camped not long Since; that every man of the party was obliged to Strip naked dureing the time of takeing over the canoes, that they might have an oppertunity of brushing the flees of their legs and bodies—    Great numbers of Sea Otters in the river below the falls, I Shot one in the narrow chanel to day which I could not get. Great numbers of Indians visit us both from above and below—.    one of the old Chiefs who had accompanied us from the head of the river, informed us that he herd the Indians Say that the nation below intended to kill us, we examined all the arms &c. complete the amunition to 100 rounds.
  • I observed on the beach near the Indian Lodges two Canoes butifull of different Shape & Size to what we had Seen above wide in the midde and tapering to each end, on the bow curious figures were Cut on the wood &c.   
  • October 23, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 16, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark November 16th Saturday 1805 a fine morning cool the latter part of the night, I had all our articles of every discription examined, and found much wet, had all put out & dried, The 5 Indians Theves left me. I took a meridean altd. with Sextt. 50° 36' 15 the Shakeing emige below—    I Sent out Several hunters Some to kill fowl others to hunt deer or Elk. The Sea is fomeing and looks truly dismal to day, from the wind which blew to day from the S. W.    an Indian Canoe passed down to day, loaded with roots &c.    three Indians Came up from below I gave them Smoke but allowed them no kind of Priveleges what ever, they camped with the 4 which Came down yesterday, near us, The evening provd.
  • Side into which falls 2 Small rivers Std. Grat many Indians liveing on the Bay & those two rivers, the 〈lower End of a large Island in the Mouth of the Columbia (Columbia River) opsd. to us, we See Islands at Some distance from Land S.
  • November 16, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 16, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Drewyer (Drouillard, George) and party did not return from the Cathlahmahs (Cathlamet Indians) this evening as we expected. we suppose he was detained by the hard winds of today.    the Indians remained with us all day, but would not dispose of their canoes at a price which it was in our power to give consistently with the state of our Stock of Merchandize.   
  • one of them was brought us today by an Indian who had just taken it with his gig.    this is a likness of it; it was 2 feet 8 Inches long, and weighed 10 lbs.   
  • March 16, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
March 24, 1806 - Clark, William
  • they returned at 8 oClock, after taking a Slight brackfast we Set out at half past 9 a. m. and proceeded to the Cath lah mah (Cathlamet Indians) Village at 1 P. M. and remained untill ½ after 3 p. m.    at this village we purchased a fiew wappato and a Dog for our Sick men Willard (Willard, Alexander) and Bratten (Bratton, William E.)
  • Soon after we made our Camp 2 Indians visited us from the opposite Side, one of them Spoke Several words of English and repeeted the names of the traders, and many of the Salors.   
  • Cook (Cook, James) does not, in fact, refer to human teeth as ornaments of canoes, but does note human skulls and hands being offered for trade by Indians at Nootka Sound (Nootka Sound) , which may have given rise to Clark's (Clark, William) impression.
  • March 24, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 28, 1806 - Clark, William
  • those are two very distinct Species of Deer.    the Indians call this large Island E-lal-lar (Deer (E-lal-lar) Island) , or Deer Island (Deer (E-lal-lar) Island) which is a very appropriate name.   
  • Since we landed here we were visited by a large Canoe with ten nativs of the Quathlahpohtle (Cathlapotle Indians) nation who are numerous and reside about fourteen Miles above us on the N E. Side of the Columbia (Columbia River) above the Enterance of a Small river which the Indians call Chah-wah-na-hi-ooks (Lewis (Cahwahnakiooks) River) .   
  • March 28, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 19, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • with much difficulty we obtained four other horses from the Indians today, we wer obliged to dispence with two of our kettles in order to acquire those.   
  • Clark (Clark, William) set out with four men to the Enesher (Tenino Indians) village at the grand falls in order to make a further attempt to procure horses.   
  • A description of the rite as observed by Wishrams (Wishram-Wasco Indians) at The Dalles (Columbia River, The Dalles of the (Great Narrows)) area is provided by Spier & Sapir, 248–49.
  • April 19, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
May 21, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • we set five men at work to make a canoe for the purpose of fishing and passing the river.    the Indians have already promised us a horse for this canoe when we have no longer any uce for her.   
  • we would make the men collect these roots themselves but there are several speceis of hemlock which are so much like the cows that it is difficult to discriminate them from the cows and we are affraid that they might poison themselves.    the indians have given us another horse to kill for provision which we keep as a reserved store.   
  • The leaves of water hemlock can be easily distinguished from cous, and if the party had gathered roots with leaves still attached they probably could have been sorted with Indian assistance. However, the parsley family (Apiaceae) is one of the most diverse and confusing plant families in the region, and Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) could not be sure that the men would not bring back some other poisonous species not well known to the Indians.
  • May 21, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
August 12, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • Dixon (Dickson, Joseph) concludes to go back to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) in hopes to git a frenchman or Some body to go with him to the head of the river.
  • Clark (Clark, William) and party all alive and well    they informed us that they after they left us at the three forks (Missouri River, Three Forks of the) followed on up the South fork or Gallentines River (Gallatin (South, Southeast Fork) River) nearly to its head which was about 30 miles, and that the beavers abound on that river    that their dams overflowed the bottoms So that they had difficulty to cross the river    they then Struck for the River Roshjone (Yellowstone River) leaving the Mountn. a Short distance to the right    crossd over a low ridge 10 miles then come on the head waters of the roshjone (Yellowstone River)    followed down Some distance before they found any timber that they could make canoes of.    they Saw no Indians but Saw Indn. tracks and the Indn. Stole 25 of the horses    they having the two Small canoes done lashed them and Sergt. pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) Set out with 3 men and the rest of the horses by land in order to take them to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) 25 in number which now remained, but the 2nd night the Indn.
  • Dixon (Dickson, Joseph) and Handcock (Hancock, Forrest) accompy. us to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) .    we Camped on a Sand beach on acct. of the Musquetoes    a little rain this evening &C—
  • August 12, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 11, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S    above the Bluff on this Creek the Mahars (Omaha Indians) had the Small pox 〈& 400 of them Died〉 4 years ago, Lattitude 42° 1' 3" 8/10 taken on the Point above the Creek.    the river is verry Crooked, we are now within ¾ of a mile of the river at a place we Shall not get around to untill tomorrow noon—    We er [are] 3 Legues from the Mahars (Omaha Indians) by land the great deel of Beaver sign induce a belief that those people do not hunt much.
  • Under his leadership the Omahas (Omaha Indians) rose to prominence on the eastern plains. Reports of his war deeds are mixed, but he seems to have had great authority because of his sorcery, especially in the deaths of the enemies who were likely killed by his use of poisons obtained from traders.
  • August 11, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 17, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • the weather is so precarious that we fear by waiting untill the first of April that we might be detained several days longer before we could get from this to the Cathlahmahs (Cathlamet Indians) as it must be calm or we cannot accomplish that part of our rout. Drewyer (Drouillard, George) returned late this evening from the Cathlahmahs (Cathlamet Indians) with our canoe which Sergt. Pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) had left some days since, and also a canoe which he had purchased from those people.   
  • They concealed it near the fort, as the Clatsop (Clatsop Indians) chief Coboway (Coboway) was visited at the time. See the reflections on this incident in Ronda (LCAI), 211–12.
  • March 17, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether

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