Journals of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition

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December 18, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Haney (Heney, Hugh) & La Rocke (Larocque, François-Antoine) left us for the Grossventre (Hidatsa Indians) Camp, Sent out 7 men to hunt for the Buffalow    They found the weather too cold & returned, Several Indians Came, who had Set out with a veiw to Kill buffalow, The river rise a little    I imploy my Self makeing a Small map of Connection &. Sent Jessomme (Jusseaume, René) to the Main Chief of the mandans (Mandan Indians) to know the Cause of his detaining or takeing a horse of Chabonoe (Charbonneau, Toussaint) our big belly (Hidatsa Indians) interpeter, which we found was thro: the rascallity of one Lafrance (Lafrance, Baptiste) a trader from the N W. Company, who told this Cheif that Chabonah (Charbonneau, Toussaint) owd. him a horse to go and take him    he done So agreeable to an indian Custom—    he gave up the horse
  • December 18, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
December 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Wednesday 1804 a temperate day    no Indians to day or yesterday. A man from the N W Company Came Down from the Gross Vintres (Hidatsa Indians) to Get one of our interpeters to assist them in trade    This man informed that the Party of Gross Ventres (Hidatsa Indians) who persued the Ossinboins (Assiniboine Indians) that Stold their horses, has all returned in their usial way by Small parties, the last of the party bringing 8 horses which they Stole from a Camp of Asniboins (Assiniboine Indians) which they found on Mouse river (Souris (Mouse) River) — Larocque (Larocque, François-Antoine) was seeking Charbonneau's (Charbonneau, Toussaint) services.
  • December 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 1, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 1st of February Friday 1805 a cold windey Day    our hunters returnd. haveing killed only one Deer, a war Chief of the Me ne tar ras (Hidatsa Indians) Came with Some Corn    requested to have a War hatchet made, & requested to be allowed to go to war against the Souis (Sioux Indians) & Ricarres (Arikara Indians) who had Killed a mandan (Mandan Indians) Some time past—    we refused, and gave reassons, which he verry readily assented to, and promised to open his ears to all we Said    this man is young and named ( Seeing Snake (Seeing Snake (Mar-book She-a-O-ke-ah)) —Mar-book, She-ah-O-ke-ah (Seeing Snake (Mar-book She-a-O-ke-ah)) [)]    this mans woman Set out & he prosued her, in the evening This seems to be from the Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) words maapúkša, "snake" and kía, "to fear," perhaps translating to "fears the snake."
  • February 1, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 9, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • Clahclellar Indians
  • They are of the Al-e-is nation (Alsea Indians) . At the time we halted 3 canoe-loads of them were setting out for the falls to fish.
  • Designated by the captains as Clahclellahs (Clahclellar Indians) , a branch of the Watlalas (Watlala Indians) .
  • April 9, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
September 10, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • M. we met a periogue with four men, going to trade with the Loups or Wolf Indians (Pawnee Indians, Loup or Skiri) , who live up the river Platte (Platte River (Nebr.)) .
  • The Wolf (Loup) or Skiri Pawnees (Pawnee Indians, Loup or Skiri) , on the Platte (Platte River (Nebr.)) and Loup (Loup (Wolf) River) rivers. Clark (Clark, William) gives the leader's name as La Craw (La Croix, Joseph) , probably Joseph La Croix (La Croix, Joseph) . The Omahas (Omaha Indians) .
  • September 10, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
March 14, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • In the afternoon, the Man that went to the Clatsop (Clatsop Indians) Village Yesterday; returned; with several Clatsop Indians (Clatsop Indians) to the fort.    these Indians brought a Canoe with them to trade with us.— Led by Gass (Gass, Patrick) , as he says.
  • March 14, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
September 6, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • we take these Savages to be the Welch Indians (Welsh Indians) if their be any Such from the Language.   
  • they made a large show & were numerous and had abundance of horses.    We all suppose these Indians to be the Welch nation (Welsh Indians) of Indians, if there be any such a Nation; & from their language we believe them to be the same.   
  • One of our hunters did not return to us this night Whitehouse (Whitehouse, Joseph) recalls the myth that some interior Indians may have descended from legendary Welsh travelers. Some persons also applied this myth to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) .
  • September 6, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
November 4, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • We continued on our way a short distance, & halted to dine on the North side of the River, The Indians in the Village that we last left, sent 2 Canoes loaded with Indians after us, and they came to the place that we halted at.   
  • We passed this day, several more large Indian Villages, which lay on each side of the River.    The Indians appear'd to be very numerous, The Country pleasant, the Soil rich & Game tolerably plenty.— We saw the Indians bringing into their Villages several deer, which they had killed with their Bows & arrows.    Towards evening, we were met by a number of Indians, who were in a Canoe (which was very large)    One of these Indians, could curse in English which he did.   
  • November 4, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 30, 1804 - Clark, William
  • much displeased that we did not invite him to dine with us (which he was Sorry for after wards)—    The Souix (Sioux Indians) is a Stout bold looking people, (the young men hand Som) & well made, the greater part of them make use of Bows & arrows, Some fiew fusees I observe among them, not with Standing they live by the Bow & arrow, they do not Shoot So well as the Northern Indians    the Warriers are Verry much deckerated with Paint Porcupin quils & feathers, large leagins & mockersons, all with buffalow roabs of Different Colours.   
  • Indians often held councils in such structures, which provided shade on the treeless plains. Perhaps the Great Lakes (Great Lakes) tribes, or those of the Old Northwest generally, the only "Northern" Indians he would have known well at this time. The Crows (Crow Indians) (Corbeaux) had been driven from the Black Hills (Black Hills) of South Dakota (South Dakota) by the Sioux (Sioux Indians) some time before this.
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 4, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • We kept down the valley about 5 miles, and came to the Tussapa (Flathead Indians) band of the Flathead (Flathead Indians) nation of Indians, or a part of them.
  • (see Clark's (Clark, William) entry for September 14, 1805). The Flathead (Flathead Indians) (Salish (Flathead Indians) ) Indians. "Tussapa (Flathead Indians) ," or Tushepaw (Flathead Indians) , as spelled variously by the captains, represents the Shoshone (Shoshone Indians) term tatasiba, "the people with shaved heads," meaning the Flatheads (Flathead Indians) .
  • As Clark (Clark, William) indicated on September 5, 1805, communication with the Flatheads (Flathead Indians) was through several interpreters, probably in this sequence: Toby (Old Toby) or his son, Sacagawea (Sacagawea) , Charbonneau (Charbonneau, Toussaint) , Labiche (Labiche, François) , and the captains.
  • September 4, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
June 6, 1806 - Clark, William
  • he produced two pipes one of which he said was as a present to me the other he intended to Send to the Shoshones (Shoshone Indians) &c. and requested me to take one, I receved the one made in the fascion of the Country, the other which was of Stone curiously inlaid with Silver in the common form which he got from the Shoshones (Shoshone Indians) .
  • It includes weather data for April and May 1806, which is placed in the appropriate location; a map dated April 18, 1806, which is placed with its textual reference at April 20 (see fig. 11); and a list of Nez Perce (Nez Perce Indians) terms (see notes below). The Cayuse (Cayuse Indians) people, who called themselves Waiilatpus (Cayuse Indians) , and who lived in northeastern Oregon (Oregon) and southeastern Washington (Washington) , west of the Nez Perce (Nez Perce Indians) homeland. Clark's (Clark, William) term is Shahaptian weyí·letpu·, being the designation for this group; Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) gives it as "Y-e-let-pos (Cayuse Indians) " on June 8. Their language, Waiilatpuan, was distantly related to the Shahaptian of Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) , and the two tribes associated and intermarried to a great extent.
  • June 6, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 31, 1804 - Floyd, Charles
  • Floyd thursday may 31th 1804    one perogue Loaded with Bare Skins and Beav and Deer Skins from the osoge (Osage Indians) village    one osoge (Osage Indians) woman with them    our hunters went out and Kild one Deer    we Lay By all this day on acount of the Wind    the Land is Good but Broken    it Rained and Cleard up    nothing worth Relating to day The village would probably have been at the Osage River (Osage (Osarge) River) in western Missouri (Missouri) . The Osage Indians (Osage Indians) are discussed at Clark's (Clark, William) entry of this day.
  • May 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Floyd, Charles
August 3, 1804 - Floyd, Charles
  • Floyd Friday august 3dth    the Council was held and all partes was agreed    the Captens Give them meney presents    thes is the ottoe (Oto Indians) and the Missouries (Missouri Indians)    The Missouries (Missouri Indians) is a verry Small nathion    the ottoes (Oto Indians) is a very Large nathion So thay Live in one village on the Plate River (Platte River (Nebr.))   
  • August 3, 1804
  • Journals
  • Floyd, Charles
October 26, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • We set out early and had a clear morning; passed a large Willow bottom on the south and high land on the north side. The Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indian left us early in the morning. At 10, we came to a hunting party of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) , consisting of men, women and children.
  • We remained here an hour, and then proceeded. A number of the Indians kept along the shore opposite the boat all day, on the south side, on which side we encamped.
  • October 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
November 4, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Chaubonée (Charbonneau, Toussaint) , [NB: Chaboneau (Charbonneau, Toussaint) ] interpeter for the Gross Vintre (Hidatsa Indians) nation Came to See us, and informed that he came Down with Several Indians from a Hunting expedition up the river, to here what we had told the Indians in Councl    this man wished to hire as an interpeter, the wind rose this evining from the East & Clouded up—    Great numbers of Indians pass hunting and Some on the return—
  • November 4, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 6, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • we took all our Baggage on board the perogues in order to Set off. Some of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Indians informed us that the Rick a Ree (Arikara Indians) nation was all comming up to their villages, as they Supposed to Stay and live with them.    our officers wished to wait and know their business, as the indians sayed that they were near this on the opposite Side of the River.
  • April 6, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
May 28, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Lowie (IP), 134–35. The Atsinas (Atsina Indians) , a small nomadic tribe of the Algonquian language family, a separated branch of the Arapahoes (Arapaho Indians) , at this time closely allied with the Blackfeet (Blackfeet Indians) .
  • The same sign language term, suggesting an expanded abdomen, was sometimes used for both peoples. "Atsina (Atsina Indians) " is from a Blackfeet (Blackfeet Indians) term said to mean "gut people." Later in the nineteenth century the terms "Gros Ventres of the Prairie (Atsina Indians) " (Atsina (Atsina Indians) ) and "Gros Ventres of the Missouri (Hidatsa Indians) " (Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) ) were used to distinguish them.
  • May 28, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
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. &c.—    Those Indians are not fond of Licquer of any Kind— Legends grew up about York (York) among the Arikaras (Arikara Indians) and also certain stereotypes were added by later writers because of such episodes.
  • According to Biddle's (Biddle, Nicholas) account the captains offered the Arikaras (Arikara Indians) whiskey, as was customary in such negotiations, but the chiefs refused, "with this sensible remark that, they were surprised that their father should present to them a liquor which would make them fools."
  • October 10, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 20, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • some of our Men went up to the 1st Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indian Village, on their return they informd us, that they had been well used by the Indians of that Town, and that they had given them, plenty to eat, of buffalo Meat, beans, & pounded Corn boil'd.— They informed us, that after they had finish'd eating 〈they〉 That the Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indians put a quantity of the same Victuals into a Woodin Bowl.    they then brought forward the Head of a buffalo, which they fell down & Worshipped, and then set before it, the Bowl of Victuals, and said (as our Interpreter who was with us told us) Eat this, and tell the live Buffaloes, to come in to us, so that we may get plenty of Buffalo meat to Eat.—    They let this Bowl remain before the head of the buffalo, 'till our Men left their Village.—    The party who was at this Village also say that those Indians, possess very strange and uncommon Ideas of things in general, They are very Ignorant, and have no Ideas of our forms & customs, neither in regard to our Worship or the Deity &ca. They are Indians of very Quick apprehension, of anything in their way; and Conceited in themselves to a fault.—    This they judged from the 〈first〉 answers, they gave to questions they asked 〈by〉 〈from〉 them; the whole of which was told to our Men, by the Interpreter that they took with them from the Fort,— About the lower one-third of this page is blank after the entry.
  • January 20, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
April 8, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • we proceeded on our Voyage, and passed the 2nd Mandan (Mandan Indians) Village, and a River lying on the South side of the Mesouri (Missouri River) called the River de Cutto (Knife River) , which is 20 Yards wide at its mouth, We passed in the afternoon 〈a〉 Villages Inhabited by a nation of Indians called the Big belly's (Hidatsa Indians) , or Gross Vounters (Hidatsa Indians) , which also lies on the South Side of the Mesouri River (Missouri River) , We proceeded on and encamped on the North side of the River on its bank, having come 14 Miles this day.— The second Village of the Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indians lies on the North side of the River mesouri (Missouri River) , it is situated on a Priari, of a vast extent, the Soil of which appears to be exceeding Rich and productive.—    The Natives have large fields, which they Cultivate, and plant the same as those of the first Village, They have among them a number of fine horses, and are very expert in managing them in riding, The Inhabitants of this Village are in Colour and form the same as those of the first Village, This village contains 200 Lodges and by the best calculation 1500 Souls, and is Governed by a Chief who is called Black Cat (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) as before mention'd Ruptáre (Ruptáre (Rooptahee) village) (Black Cat site (Black Cat site) ), McLean County (McLean County, N.
  • The French word for "knife" attemped here is le couteau. The three Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) villages along the Knife River (Knife River) , Mahawha (Mahawha (Marharha) village) (Amahami site (Amahami site) ), Metaharta (Metaharta (Metehartar) village) (Sakakawea site (Sakakawea site) ), and Menetarra (Menetarra village) (Big Hidatsa site (Big Hidatsa site) ).
  • April 8, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
November 7, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • We set out early, & proceeded on 'till about 10 o'Clock A. M. when we arrived at an Indian Village, consisting of 4 cabbins which were inhabited by the Natives.   
  • The Indians who lived in this small village, where from their appearance a dirty, indolent sett of beings.    They had among them Elk meat & Venison; pounded fish, roots &ca.    The Indians both at this, & the other Indian village that we passed this day, made signs to us that there were vessells lying at the Mouth of this River.   
  • November 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
November 21, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • They offered the Indians a great price in Cloths & trinkets for it; but they refused their offer, & would take nothing but beads for them.   
  • They at last purchas'd it from them for a Belt which had a number of beads on it, which our officers procured from the Indian woman our Interpreter (Sacagawea) , which we got at the Mandan (Mandan Indians) Nation, as Interpreter to the Snake (Shoshone Indians) nation; who is still with us.   
  • The evening was rainey & a number of Indians both Male & female came to our Camp this evening.— Again a misdate, this time for November 21.
  • November 21, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
January 20, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Visited this morning by three Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) who remained with us all day; the object of their visit is mearly to smoke the pipe.   
  • most of the party have become very expert with the rifle. The Indians who visited us today understood us sufficiently to inform us that the whites did not barter for the pounded fish; that it was purchased and consumed by the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) , Chinnooks (Chinook Indians) , Cathlahmah's (Cathlamet Indians) and Skillutes (Watlala Indians) . The native roots which furnish a considerable proportion of the subsistence of the indians in our neighbourhood are those of a species of Thistle, fern and rush; the Liquorice, and a small celindric root the top of which I have not yet seen, this last resembles the sweet pittatoe very much in it's flavor and consistency.
  • January 20, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
April 25, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Pisquow Indians
  • we passed five lodges of the Wallâh wollâhs (Walula Indians) at the distance of 4 miles above the Pishquitpahs (Pisquow Indians) .— Following James Mooney, Hodge suggests that these Indians were a band of the Yakimas (Yakima Indians) , the Pisquows (Pisquow Indians) , who were Salishan speakers.
  • The Shahaptian-language Walulas (Walula Indians) , or Walla Wallas (Walula Indians) , possessing numerous horses and apparently influenced by plains culture, but also engaging in fishing.
  • April 25, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
August 15, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • We discovered smoke on the opposite side of the river, and four men crossed to see if any of the Mahas (Omaha Indians) or Sioux Indians (Sioux Indians) were there; but could not discover any.
  • Drouillard (Drouillard, George) , Reubin Field (Field, Reubin) , Bratton (Bratton, William E.) , and Labiche (Labiche, François) , with the deserter Reed (Reed, Moses B.) and the Oto (Oto Indians) and Missouri (Missouri Indians) chiefs. Ordway (Ordway, John) also mentions the Frenchman, but Clark (Clark, William) says nothing about him on this date. He was evidently not one of the party, but a trader or trapper living among the Indians. He may have been François (Dorion, François) (or Pierre, Jr.
  • August 15, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
August 30, 1804 - Clark, William
  • "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.
  • Inaccurate compared with a rifle, it was simple, sturdy, and suited to the needs of an Indian hunter who might have little opportunity for having it repaired.
  • One of the akicita, or warrior, societies which were a characteristic feature of Sioux (Sioux Indians) and plains Indian culture. Generally each society had certain special requirements dictated by its particular "medicine"—a supernatural source of power.
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 13, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 13th of January Sunday (1805) a Cold Clear Day (great number of Indians move Down the River to hunt) those people Kill a number of Buffalow near their Villages and Save a great perpotion of the meat, their Custom of makeing this article of life General [NB: see note common] leaves them more than half of their time without meat    Their Corn & Beans &c they Keep for the Summer, and as a reserve in Case of an attack from the Soues (Sioux Indians) , which they are always in dread, and Sildom go far to hunt except in large parties, about ½ the Mandan (Mandan Indians) nation passed this to day to hunt on the river below, they will Stay out Some Days, Mr.
  • Chaboneu (Charbonneau, Toussaint) informs that the Clerk of the Hudsons Bay Co. with the Me ne tar res (Hidatsa Indians) has been Speaking Some fiew expressns. unfavourable towards us, and that it is Said the N W Co. intends building a    fort at the Mene tar re's (Hidatsa Indians) —    he Saw the Grand Chief of the Big bellies (Hidatsa Indians) who Spoke Slightly of the Americans, Saying if we would give our great flag to him he would Come to See us.
  • Presumably George Bunch (Bunch, George) , or Budge (Bunch, George) , who would have seen Le Borgne (Le Borgne (One Eye)) , "Grand Chief of the Big Bellies (Hidatsa Indians) ."
  • January 13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 14, 1806 - Clark, William
  • we are informed by the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) that they have latterly Seen an Indian from the Quin-na-chart (Makah Indians) Nation who reside Six days march to the N.
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark's (Clark, William) name comes from their self designation in Makah (Makah Indians) , qwidičča⊃a·tx̣, "people of the cape" (referring to Cape Flattery (Cape Flattery) ). They belonged to the Nootka branch of the Wakashan language stock, and were the only Wakashans (Wakashan Indians) in the present United States. Their culture was like that of the Nootka (Nootka Indians) , including the hunting of whales.
  • March 14, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 12, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • Louis (Saint Louis, Mo.) .    came from the Shew (Sioux Indians) nation.    they passed the last winter their & had an amence Side of Bufloe Green Skins &C    we Got an old Frenchman to go with us which could Speak Sevral languages, among the indians for a long distance.— Any number of possibilities of Prunus sp.; see Clark's (Clark, William) entry for June 10. Meaning the Sioux Indians (Sioux Indians) , probably the Yankton Sioux (Sioux Indians, Yankton) .
  • June 12, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
October 25, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • S. where their was formerly a village of the Rickarrees (Arikara Indians) nation.    we Saw a nomber of the natives Strung along the Shore on horse back looking at us.   
  • one of the natives came to our Camp with our chief & remd. all night &C Probably either the Bagnell site (Bagnell site) or Greenshield site (Greenshield site) , which were occupied by Mandan (Mandan Indians) , Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) , and Arikara (Arikara Indians) Indians, in Oliver County (Oliver County, N.
  • October 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
January 13, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • in the evening one of our Intrepters & a frenchman returned who had been up the river Some time to a nation of Indians called the osnaboins after fur &c    their guide got froze so that they had to leave him their, & they got their faces frost bit So that the Skin came off.    this nation live near the rockey mountains (Rocky Mountains) , about 180–90 miles from this place Sunday January 13th    The weather still continues clear & Cold, a number of the Natives, went from the Fort down the River to hunt with our Men who was there.—    In the Evening one of our interpreters & a frenchman, came to the Fort, they had been gone up the River some time, and had went to a Nation of Indians called the Oznabone Nation (Assiniboine Indians) to Trade for furr &ca., They inform'd us that the Guide who went with them, had got so bad frost bitten, that the whole of the skin came off.—    They told our Officers that the Oznabone nation; have their Village near the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains) , and between 180 & 190 Miles distant from this place, by land— Assiniboine (Assiniboine Indians) Indians.
  • January 13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
April 14, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • Bear Den (Charbonneau's, Indian) Creek
  • Bear Den (Charbonneau's, Indian) Creek
  • Dak.) , North Dakota (North Dakota) , opposite and a little above the mouth of Bear Den Creek (Bear Den (Charbonneau's, Indian) Creek) .
  • April 14, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
October 19, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Several Small villages    the Savages all hid themselves in their flag loges untill we passed them.    the Indians are numerous along the River.    the villages near each other and great quantitys of Sammon drying.   
  • we came 36 miles this day and Camped on the South Side    an Indian village on the opposite Shore    a nomber of the natives came over the River in their Small canoes to see us.   
  • even their canoes are put around them.— Yelleppit (Yelleppit) , chief of the Walula (Walula Indians) , or Walla Walla (Walula Indians) , Indians.
  • October 19, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
Images from the Gallery of the Open Frontier
  • Sioux village Indian War Photograph. A Sioux Indian village. 111-sc-82534 Collection: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer—Signal Corps Photographs of American Military Activity NARA-NWDNS
  • Indian encampments
  • N.D.
  • Images
January 8, 1806 - Clark, William
  • The Kil â mox (Tillamook Indians) in their habits Customs manners dress & language differ but little from the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) , Chinnooks (Chinook Indians) and others in this neighbourhood are of the Same form of those of the Clatsops (Clatsop Indians) with a Dore at each end & two fire places i, e the house is double as long as wide and divided into 2 equal parts with a post in the middle Supporting the ridge pole, and in the middle of each of those divisions they make their fires, dores Small & houses Sunk 5 feet Clark (Clark, William) was probably seeing formations such as Haystack Rock (Haystack Rock) and The Needles (The Needles) southwest of Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach, Oreg.) .
  • Smith (Smith, Silas B.) , grandson of Chief Coboway (Coboway) , declared that Clark (Clark, William) misunderstood the Indians, who did not give distinguishing names to rivers. Shocatilicum (Shocatilicum) was the name of the chief of the Cathlamets (Cathlamet Indians) , who lived in the direction from which they obtained the wapato.
  • Perhaps the Tillamooks (Tillamook Indians) (Salishan (Flathead Indians) speakers) were speaking Chinook (Chinook Indians) trade jargon to Clark (Clark, William) .
  • January 8, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 3, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • or the neighbourhood of that Creek on Clark's river (Bitterroot (Clark's, Flathead) River) in order to learn from the Oote-lash-shoots (Flathead Indians) a band of the Flatheads (Flathead Indians) who have wintered there, the occurrences that have taken place on the East side of the mountains during that season.   
  • The reference is to the Salish (Flathead Indians) , or Flatheads (Flathead Indians) . Note that the Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) assumed that their messengers could make it across the mountains in spite of the snow but did not believe the white men could.
  • in Clearwater County (Clearwater County, Idaho) , Idaho (Idaho) , where they had first met the Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) on September 20, 1805. Atlas map 71.
  • June 3, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
March 18, 1805 - Clark, William
  • I pack up all the merchindize into 8 packs equally derided So as to have Something of every thing in each Canoe & perogue    I am informed of a Party of Christanoes (Cree Indians) & assinniboins (Assiniboine Indians) being killed by the Sioux (Sioux Indians) , 50 in Number near the Estableishments on the assinniboin R.
  • Cammeron (Cameron, Murdoch) , revenge on the Chipaway (Chippewa Indians) for Killing 3 of his men)    Mr. Tousent Chabono (Charbonneau, Toussaint) , Enlisted as an Interpreter this evening, I am not well to day.
  • March 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 30, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • 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.   
  • in a few minutes after some one of their Warriors would get up in the Centre, where all their Warriors stood with his Arms; and point towards where the different Indian nations lived, and make a speech, telling what feats he had done, how many he had killed, & how many Horses he had stole from them &ca    all of which among these Indians, make them great Men, and Warriors; and much esteem'd by their nation.    The dance being finish'd the Indians retir'd to their Camp.— The word "frenchman" is written over an illegible erasure, perhaps the name of the interpreter.
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 28, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Durioun (Dorion, Pierre, Sr.) , who we Sent to the Soues (Sioux Indians) Camp from the mouth of R: Jacque (James (Jacque) River (S.
  • Calumet is a French term which has become common usage for the ceremonial Indian pipe, or "peace-pipe"; the etymology is complex. Atlas map 18; MRC map 30; MRR map 83; Mattison (GP), 53–55; Hodge, 1:191–95.
  • Here Clark (Clark, William) identifies the group of Sioux (Sioux Indians) , or Dakotas (Sioux Indians) , as the Bois Brulé (Sioux Indians, Brulé or Bois Brule) ; they were actually Yankton (Sioux Indians, Yankton) Sioux (Sioux Indians) .
  • August 28, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 31, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • (Clark, William)    this skin was an uniform pale redish brown colour, the indians informed us that it was not the Hoh-host or white bear, that it was the Yâck-kâh.    this distinction of the indians induced us to make further enquiry relative to their opinions of the several speceis of bear in this country.   
  • Feilds (Field, Reubin) returned with the three deer which they had killed. The Indians brought us another of our origional Stock of horses; there are only two absent now of those horses, and these the indians inform us that our shoshone (Shoshone Indians) guide rode back when he returned.   
  • May 31, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 27, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) returned from the Villages with two Chiefs Mar-noh toh (Big Stealer (Mar-noh-tah)) & Man-nes-sur ree (Tail of the Calumet Bird (Man-nes-surree, Man-se-rus-se)) & a Considerate man with the party who accompanied him, The Menitares (Hidatsa Indians) , (or Big bellies (Hidatsa Indians) ) were allarmed at the tales told them by the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Viz: that we intended to join the Seaux (Sioux Indians) to Cut off them in the Course of the winter, many Circumstances Combind to give force to those reports i' e' the movements of the interpeters & their families to the Fort, the strength of our work &. &.
  • Although frustrated in his desire to accompany Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) west, he made a trip to the Yellowstone (Yellowstone River) and Bighorn (Bighorn (Ar-sar-ta) River) country in 1805, accompanying the Crows (Crow Indians) from the Hidatsa (Hidatsa Indians) villages. His is the first European account of the Yellowstone (Yellowstone River) , and of the life and culture of the Crows (Crow Indians) .
  • His various accounts of his journeys to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) are important sources on the Missouri tribes and on Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) .
  • November 27, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 7, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark Fort Mandan (Mandan Indians) April 7th 1805 Sunday, at 4 oClock P M, the Boat, in which was 6 Soldiers 2 frenchmen & an Indian, all under the command of a corporal who had the charge of dispatches, &c.
  • and my Servent york (York) , George Drewyer (Drouillard, George) who acts as a hunter & interpreter, Shabonah (Charbonneau, Toussaint) and his Indian Squar to act as an Interpreter & interpretress for the snake Indians—one Mandan (Mandan Indians) & Shabonahs infant (Charbonneau, Jean Baptiste) .
  • The underscore for "Indian Squar" also appears to be an addition. See the entry of November 4, 1804, where she is discussed.
  • April 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 26, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Shoshone Indians
  • Castahana Indians
  • The latter term commonly referred to the Arapahoes (Arapaho Indians) , who spoke an Algonquian tongue. The captains used "Minitare (Hidatsa Indians) ," "Big Belly (Hidatsa Indians) ," and "Gros Ventre (Hidatsa Indians) " to refer either to the Hidatsas (Hidatsa Indians) or to the Atsinas (Atsina Indians) .
  • July 26, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 4, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • we [de]scended the mountain down a rough rockey way and along through a large thicket of bolsom fer timber in which we killed a dozen fessents then descended down in to a large valley on a branch and halted to dine    our hunter killed a Deer.    Saw fresh Indian Sign.    we Eat our deer.    our Indian guide (Old Toby) and the young Indian who accompanied him Eat the paunch and all the Small guts of the Deer.   
  • our hunters killed a Deer, & told us that he had seen fresh signs of Indians.    We eat our deer, & our Indian guide (Old Toby) and a young Indian of the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Nation that attended him, eat the paunch & small guts of it.   
  • Our officers informed them, that they would speak to them tomorrow, and inform them our business & where we were going &ca.— These Flatt head (Flathead Indians) Nation of Indians are a well made, handsome, light coloured sett of people, the most part of them were well cloathed.   
  • September 4, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 16, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Atlas map 75 has the word "Kimooenim" crossed out and "Lewis's" substituted. They met Indians of two groups which the captains called Chimnapams (Yakima Indians) and Sokulks (Wanapam Indians) , today known as the Yakimas (Yakima Indians) and Wanapams (Wanapam Indians) respectively.
  • They belonged to the same Shahaptian-language family as the Nez Perces (Nez Perce Indians) , which is probably why the two Nez Perce (Nez Perce Indians) chiefs were so useful in establishing friendly relations.
  • This village was occupied mainly by Yakima (Yakima Indians) people, but many Walula (Walula Indians) and some Umatilla (Umatilla Indians) people lived there also.
  • October 16, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 27, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • went a Short distance up the North fork (Jefferson River (North, Southwest Fork)) and Camped on the point which is a Smoth plain.    a large Camp of Indians has been encamped here Some time ago.    our Intrepters wife was taken prisoner at this place 3 or 4 years ago by the Gross vauntous (Hidatsa Indians) Indians.   
  • Clark (Clark, William) & men returned & Joined us.    had found no Indians, but had Seen fresh Sign of horses.    Saw one elegant horse in the plains which appeared wild.   
  • We expected to have found the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Nation of Indians here, but they being gone, we now expect that they are gone over the Mountains, to the Columbia River (Columbia River) to fish.—    The party here are of opinion, that they may find some of those Indians, yet; on this side of the Mountains.   
  • July 27, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
April 16, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Great numbers of Indians came from both Villages and delayed the greater part of the day without tradeing a Single horse.
  • The Skillutes (Watlala Indians) precure the most of their Cloth knivs axes & beeds from the Indians from the North of them who trade with white people who come into the inlets to the North at no great distance from the Tapteet (Yakima (Tapteete) River) .    their horses of which I saw great numbers, they precure from the Indians who reside on the banks of the Columbia (Columbia River) above, and what fiew they take from the To war ne hi ooks (Paiute Indians) or Snake Indians (Paiute Indians) .
  • April 16, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 20, 1806 - Clark, William
  • maney of them ware Shirts of the Same forom of those of the Chopunnish (Nez Perce Indians) and Shoshone (Shoshone Indians) highly ornimented with porcupine quills.   
  • they precure the Silk grass of which they make their nets, the bear grass for makeing their mats and Several other necessary of the Indians of the following nations who trade with them as also the Skillutes (Watlala Indians) for their pounded fish. Viz. Skad-dats (Klickitat Indians) , Squan-nun-os (Klickitat Indians) , Shan-wap-poms (Klickitat Indians) , Shall-lat-tos (Klickitat Indians) , who reside to the north and Several bands who reside on the Columbia (Columbia River) above.—    I precured a Sketch of the Columbia (Columbia River) and its branches of those people in which they made the river which falls into the Columbia (Columbia River, Great Falls of the) imediately above the falls (Columbia River, Great Falls of the) on the South Side to branch out into 3 branches one of which they make head in Mt.
  • April 20, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 1, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S. which we discovd. to be a Frenchman, a little 〈of〉 [NB: from Shore among] the willows we observed a house, we Call to them to come over, a boy Came in a Canoo & informed that 〈three〉 2 french men were at the house with good to trade with the Seauex (Sioux Indians) which he expected down from the rickerries everry day, Severl large parties of Seauex (Sioux Indians) Set out from the rics (Arikara Indians) for this place to trade with those men—    This Mr.
  • White bear is also plenty—    The 〈Chien (Cheyenne Indians) 〉 [NB: Chayenne (Cheyenne Indians) ] Inds.
  • So called from the Chayenne (Cheyenne Indians) Indians who live on the heads of it." Biddle used information the captains acquired after Clark (Clark, William) wrote this passage, in particular correcting the notion that the Cheyennes (Cheyenne Indians) were "Chien (Cheyenne Indians) ," or dog, Indians.
  • October 1, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 22, 1806 - Clark, William
  • The Chyenne's (Cheyenne Indians) are portly Indians much the complections of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) & ricaras (Arikara Indians) high Cheeks, Streight limbed & high noses the men are large, their dress in Sumner is Simpelly a roab of a light buffalow Skin with or without the hair and a Breach clout & mockerson Some ware leagins and mockersons, their ornaments are but fiew and those are composed principally of Such articles as they precure from other indians Such as blue beeds, Shell, red paint rings of brass broaches &c.   
  • they Confess to be at war with no nation except the Sieoux (Sioux Indians) with whome they have ever since their remembranc been on a difencive war, with the Bands of Sieoux (Sioux Indians) .   
  • I have discontinud the tent in the hole the ball came out— I have before mentioned that the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Maharhas (Hidatsa Indians) Menetarras (Hidatsa Indians) & Ricarras (Arikara Indians) , keep their horses in the Lodge with themselves at night.
  • August 22, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William

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