Journals of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition

Search
Advanced Search

Basic Search

Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.

Wildcard Searches

Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.

Capitalization

Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.

Phrase Search

Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".

Subsequent Searches

Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.

Browse All Items
Reset Search

Filter by:

Date


Dates in both fields not required
Entering in only one field Searches
Year, Month, & Day Single day
Year & Month Whole month
Year Whole year
Month & Day 1803-#-# to 1806-#-#
Month 1803-#-1 to 1806-#-31
Day 1803-01-# to 1806-12-#

Category

Part of Website

Creator

People

See all People

Native Nation

See all Native Nations

Place

See all Places

State

Source

Publisher

Search : neared
Sort by:
Relevancy Title Date

Your search returned 1355 results from all items Search Only Journals

May 14, 1804 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • —Po-kish'-a-co-mah, of the root of this plant the Indians prepare an agreable dish, the root when taken in it's green state is from 8 to 14 inches in circumpherence    is dryed by being exposed to the sun and air or at other times with a slow fire or smoke of the chimnies, it shrinks much in drying—    The root of this plant grows in a horrizontal direction near the surface of the rich loam or mud which forms the bottoms of their ponds or morasses, generall three, sometimes four or more of these roots are attatced together by a small root or string of hearder substance of a foot or six inches in length, the root of the plant thus annually progresses shooting out a root from a bud at the extremity of the root of the presceeding years groath, this in the course of the Summer p[r]oduces a new root prepared with a bud for the progression of the next season, also one leaf and one seed stalk the stem of the former supporting or reather attatched to a large green circular leaf 18 inches to two feet in diameter which fl[o]ats while green usually on the serface of the water, the sta[l]k is propotioned to the debth of the water, and of a celindrical form, is an inch and a half in circumpherence at or near it's junction of the root thence regularly tapering to the leaf where it is perhaps not more than an inch, the large fibers of the leaf project from the extremity of the stalk in every direction at right angles from it to the circumpherence of the leaf like rays from the center, there are from twelve to eighteen of those fibers—    the leaf is nearly a circle smoth on both sides and even and regular on it's edges—    near the same part of the root from which the leaf stalk project the seed stalk dose also—    it is about the same size and form of it but usually a foot longer standing erect and bearing it[s] blossum above the surface of the water which I am informed is of a white colour—    The seed vessel or matrix is the form of a depressed cone the small extremity of which is attatced to the uper end of the stalk; before it has attained it's groath it resembles an inverted cone but when grown the base obtains a preponderancy and inclining downwards rests it's edge against the stalk—    the base is a perfect circular plain from 〈fifteen to〉 eighteen to twenty inches in circumpherence in it's succulent state, and from two to three inches in hight—    the surface of the cone when dryed by the sun and air after being exposed to the frost is purforated with two circular ranges of globular holes from twenty to 30 in number arond one which forms the center placed at the distance of from an eighth to ¼ of an inch assunder, each of those cells contains an oval nut of a light brown colour much resembling a small white oak acorn smothe extreemly heard, and containing a white cernal of an agreeable flavor; these the native frequently eat either in this state or roasted; they frequently eat them also in their succulent state—    the bear feed on the leaves of this plant in the spring and summer—    in the autumn and winter the Swan, geese, brant, ducks and other acquatic fowls feed on the root—    the one is brown, pitty and extreemly light, and when seperated from the stalks flots on the suface of the water with its base down—    the Indians procure it and prepare it for food in the following manner—    they enter the bonds [ponds] where it grows, barefooted in autumn, and feel for it among the mud which being soft and the root large and near the surface they readily find it    they easily draw it up it having no fiborus, or colateral roots to attatch it firmly to the mud    they wash and scrape a thin bleack rind off it and cut it croswise into pieces of an inch in length    when it is prepared for the pot it is of a fine white colour boils to a pulp and makes an agreeable soupe in which way it is usually dressed by the natives    when they wish to preserve it for any length of time they cut it in pieces in the manner before discribed string it on bark or leather throngs of a convenient length and hang it to dry in the sun, or exposed it to the smoke of their chimnies, when thus dryed it will keep for several years, it is esteemed as nutricius as the pumpkin or squash and is not very dissimilar in taste—    The Chipiways (Chippewa Indians) or sateaus call this plant Wab-bis-sa-pin or Swan-root—    The ferench or Canadians know it by two names the Pois de Shicoriat or Graine de Volais—    the roots of this plant are from one foot to eighteen inches in length— The common wild pittatoe also form another article of food in savage life    this they boil untill the skin leaves the pulp easily which it will do in the course of a few minutes    the outer rind which is of a dark brown coulour is then scaped off    the pulp is of a white coulour, the pettatoe thus prepared is exposed on a scaffold to the sun or a slow fire untill it is thoroughly dryed, or at other times strung upon throngs of leather or bark and hung in the roofs of their lodges where by the influence of the fire and smoke it becomes throughly dryed, they are then prepared for use, and will keep perfectly sound many years, these they boil with meat or pound and make an agreeable bread    this pittaitoee may be used in it's green or undryed state without danger provided it be well roasted or boiled—    it produces a vine which runs too a considerable length usually intwining itself about the neighbouring bushes and weeds, the vine is somewhat branched, and in it[s] progress at the distance of 2½ inches it puts forth one leaf stem at right angles with the vine, which is furnished with two par of ovate leaves and turminated by one of a similar shape, these are of a pale green colour not indented on their edges, reather a rough appearance, the vine is small and green except near the ground where it sometime assumes a redish hue—    the fruit is connected by a small liggament at both ends extending for many yards in length and attatching together in some instances six eight or more of these pittaitoes—    it's root is pereniel    the vine annual.
  • May 14, 1804
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
June 11, 1806 - Clark, William
  • five of the indians also turned out and hunted untill near Meridn. without having killed any thing.    at 3 P M they all packed up and returned to their village.   
  • we have never met with this plant but in or adjacent to a piney or fir timbered Country, and there always in the open grounds and glades; in the Columbian (Columbia River) Vally and near the Coast it is to be found in small quantities and inferior in Size to that found in this neighbourhood or on those high rich flatts and vallies within the rocky mountains (Rocky Mountains) .   
  • The Stamens are perfect, Six in number; the falaments each elivate an anther, near their base are flat on the inner side and rounded on the outer, termonate in a subulate point, and bowed or bent upwards inserted on the inner Side and on the base of the Claws of the petals, below the germ, are equal both with respect to themselves and the Corolla, Smooth membranous.   
  • June 11, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 14, 1804 - Clark, William
  • a Sand bar makeing out ⅔ Cross the river    Sand Collecting &c forming Bars and Bars washg a way, the boat Struck and turned, She was near oversetting    we saved her by Some extrodany exertions of our party (ever ready to inconture any fatigue for the premotion of the enterprise[)], I went out to walk on the Sand Beech, & Killed a Deer & Turky    during the time I was from the boat a Caussee came too from the Pania (Pawnee Indians) [Pawnee (Pawnee Indians) ] nation loaded with furs    We gave them Some whiskey and Tobacco & Settled Some desputes & parted    S. 5 E. 3 ms. to pt. on S.
  • It was in Carroll County (Carroll County, Mo.) , nearly opposite the present town of Miami (Miami, Mo.) , and near where Missouri Highway 41 (Missouri Highway 41) crosses the river.
  • June 14, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 8, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we made Some arrangements as to provisions & Messes, came to for Dinner at the lower point of a very large Island Situated near the S. S.    after a delay of two hours we passed a narrow channel of 45 to 80 yds wide five miles to the mouth of (3) Nádăwă River, (Nodaway River) This river Coms in from the North and is navagable for Perogues Some distance.   
  • opposit the head or our Camp is a Small Island near the middle of the river, river Still falling.    our flank party did not join us this evening Course Distance & Refrs.
  • July 8, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 19, 1804 - Clark, William
  • 〈forming〉 of yellow earth    passed Several 〈bad〉 Sand bars that were wide and at one place verry Shallow (two Small butifull runs falls into the river near each other at this Clift, a Deer Lick 200 yards up the Lowest of those runs[)]    Those runs head at no great distance in the plains and pass thro: [NB: Skirts] or timber to the river.
  •    (4) passed a Willow Isd. Situated near the Middle of the river and a large Sand makeing out from the S.
  • July 19, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 29, 1804 - Clark, William
  • we Stoped to Dine under Some high Trees near the high land on the L. S.    in a fiew minits Cought three verry large Catfish (3) one nearly white, Those fish are in great plenty on the Sides of the river and verry fat, a quart of Oile Came out of the Surpolous fat of one of these fish    (4) above this high land & on the S.
  • W. to S E about twelve months Since, many trees were broken off near the ground the trunks of which were Sound and four feet in diameter, (2) about ¾ of a Me. above the Island on the S.
  • July 29, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 22, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) in proveing the quality of those minerals was near poisoning himself by the fumes & task of the Cabalt which had the appearance of Soft Isonglass—    Copperas & alum is verry pure, Above this Bluff a Small Creek Coms in from the L.
  • S. opsds. the R Souis (Big Sioux River (Rivière des Sioux)) is near the Missouries (Missouri River) . (4) N. 48 W.   6 ½ Ms. to a Tree in the Prarie on the S.
  • August 22, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 3, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S    to an object in the bend to L. S. near the Hill S. 45 W.   1 me. on the S.
  • In Knox County (Knox County, Nebr.) , Nebraska (Nebraska) , probably near the western boundary of the present Santee (Sioux Indians, Santee) Sioux (Sioux Indians) Indian Reservation.
  • September 3, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 3, 1804 - Clark, William
  • If Clark's (Clark, William) ambiguous entry means that they camped near the mouth of a creek which he intended to name for John Shields (Shields, John) , it does not appear on the existing version of his map (Atlas map 24).
  • Dak.) , South Dakota (South Dakota) , at about the proper distance below the island, and at that point is a bluff corresponding to that under which Ordway (Ordway, John) indicates they camped. The campsite was on a sandbar near the line of present Potter (Potter County, S. Dak.) and Sully (Sully County, S.
  • October 3, 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. Chabonee (Charbonneau, Toussaint) (our inturpeter) and one man that accompanied him to Some loges of the Minatarees (Hidatsa Indians) near the Turtle Hill (Killdeer (Turtle) Mountains) returned, both frosed in their faces.
  • January 13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 5-13, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • Probably one of the abandoned earthlodge villages below Mandan Island (Mandan Island) . Near the mouth of Square Butte Creek (Square Butte (Hunting) Creek) (Clark (Clark, William) 's Hunting Creek (Square Butte (Hunting) Creek) ), Oliver County (Oliver County, N.
  • Gass (Gass, Patrick) seems to indicate that they moved camp this day, but Clark (Clark, William) seems to say that they remained in the camp near Square Butte Creek (Square Butte (Hunting) Creek) . Neither gives any details.
  • February 5-13, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
March 10, 1805 - Clark, William
  • [NB: Insert this Ahnahaway (Hidatsa Indians, Awaxawi) is the nation Mahhaha the village (Mahawha (Marharha) village) ]    nation formerleyed lived about 30 miles below this but beeing oppressed by the Asinniboins (Assiniboine Indians) & Sous (Sioux Indians) were Compelled to move 〈near〉 5 miles the Minitaries (Hidatsa Indians) , where, the Assinniboins (Assiniboine Indians) Killed the most of them    those remaining built a village verry near to the Minitarries (Atsina Indians) at the mouth of Knife R (Knife River) where they now live and Can raise about 50 men, they are intermixed with the Mandans (Mandan Indians) & Minatariers (Hidatsa Indians) —    the Mandans (Mandan Indians) formerly lived in 6 [NB: nine] large villages at and above the mouth of Chischeter (Heart (Ches-che-tar and similar spellings) River) or Heart River (Heart (Ches-che-tar and similar spellings) River)    five [NB: six] Villages on the West Side [NB: of the Missouri] & two [NB: three] on the East    one of those Villages on the East Side of the Missouri (Missouri River) & the larges was intirely Cut off by the Sioux (Sioux Indians) & the greater part of the others and the Small Pox reduced the others.
  • March 10, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 5, 1805 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • about 8 A M. a large herd of buffaloe came near our camp and Capt. Clark (Clark, William) with a party of the hunters indeavoured to get a shoot at them but the wind proved unfavourable and they ran off; the hunters pursued and killed three of them; we had most of the meat brought in and set a party to drying it.   
  • the men who were permitted to visit the falls today returned in the evening and reported that the buffaloe were very numerous in that quarter; and as the country is more broken near the river in that quarter we conclude to dispatch a couple of canoes tomorrow with some hunters to kill as many as will answer our purposes.— The plains in this part of the country are not so fertile as below the entrance [NB: Qu] of the Cockkle or missel shell river (Musselshell (Mah-tush,-ah-zhah, Shell) River) and from thence down the Missouri (Missouri River) there is also much more stone on the sides of the hills and on the broken lands than below.—
  • July 5, 1805
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
August 10, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • the clifts and high land begin to make near the River.    passed a high bank along L. S.    took on board a deer which one of the hunters killed 2 days past.   
  • Side.— Beaverhead Rock (Beaverhead Rock) , near theBeaverhead County (Beaverhead County, Mont.) line, Montana (Montana) .
  • August 10, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
September 3, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Some of the mountains was So Steep and rockey that Several of the horses fell back among the rocks and was near killing them    Some places we had to cut the road through thickets of bolsom fer Some of that kind of timber in the vallies of these mountains is verry high about 100 & 60 feet, and verry Strait and handsom.   
  • Saw Snow on the tops of Some of these mountains this day.— Tuesday September 3rd    We had a cloudy morning, & set out as usual, we brought the load up the hill on our backs, that was left there last night, and then we proceeded on up the Creek a short distance, and then took to the mountains, and went up & down them the whole of this day, and crossed abundance of fine Springs, & spring runs, some of the mountains that we crossed was so steep & Rockey, that several of the horses fell backwards among the rocks & was near being killed.—    We had to cut Roads, through thickets of balsam fir timber, for our horses to pass through.   
  • September 3, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
August 30, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Came about 10 miles and Camped on the bottom near the River. Friday August 30th    A Clear pleasant morning, and our Men were employed in getting up our horses—    Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) bought 3 more horses from the Natives, and we now have 30 horses to carry our baggage &ca.—    We got all the loads for the horses ready.—    The Indian guide (Old Toby) , which our officers had engaged to go with us, from the Indians we are among; informed us, that we could go a Road which would be smooth & which went to the Southward, but that we should be two days, without water, & that there was no game to be met with on that Route,—    but that he would show us a hilly rough road, which went over the mountains, to the North of the Columbia River (Columbia River) , which would take us in 15 days to Salt water, or in 10 days to a large fork of the Columbia River (Columbia River) ; which would be navigable for Canoes.—    Our Officers concluded to take the last mentioned Road—    A party of the Snake (Shoshone Indians) Indians that we were with, set out with their Horses to go over on the Mesouri (Missouri River) after Buffalo, about 1 o'Clock P.
  • We proceeded on down this little River bottom, & crossed several spring runs, and passed by several old Indian Camps or lodges.—    We came about 10 Miles & encamped in a bottom, which lay near the River—
  • August 30, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 12, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Sent our Small canoe over—   30   Penawawa Creek (Penawawa Creek) ("Brook" on Atlas map 73), near Penawawa (Penawawa, Wash.) , Whitman County (Whitman County, Wash.) , Washington (Washington) . Shown as "Cabin" on Atlas map 73, near present Little Goose Dam (Little Goose Dam) .
  • October 12, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 7, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Erroneously marked as the camp of October 8 on Atlas map 72. It was quite near present Lenore (Lenore, Idaho) , Nez Perce County (Nez Perce County, Idaho) , Idaho (Idaho) , opposite Jacks Creek (Jacks Creek (Canister Run)) .
  • Present Canyon Creek (Canyon Creek (Canister Run) (Idaho)) , meeting the Clearwater (Clearwater (Flathead, Kooskooskee) River) near Peck (Peck, Idaho) , Nez Perce County (Nez Perce County, Idaho) .
  • October 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
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.
  • November 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 3, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Clark Friday the 3rd January 1806 At 11 A. m. we were visited by our near neighbour Chief (or Tiá) Co mo wool (Coboway) alis Conia (Coboway) [NB: Coôné (Coboway) ‚] and Six Clat sops (Clatsop Indians) .   
  • this blubber they informed us they had obtained from their neighbours the Cal lá mox (Tillamook Indians) who inhabit the coast to the S. E near one of their Villages a Whale had recently perished.    this blubber the Indians eat and esteem it excellent food.   
  • January 3, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 7, 1806 - Clark, William
  • In this neighbourhood I observe the honeysuckle common in the U States, I first met with it on the waters of the Kooskooske (Clearwater (Flathead, Kooskooskee) River) near the Chopunnish (Nez Perce Indians) Nation, and again below the grand rapids (Columbia River, Cascades (Great Rapids, Great Shute)) in the Columbian (Columbia River) Vally on tide water.
  • the frute is a small deep purple berry which the nativs inform us is very good, the leaf is thin of a 〈deep〉 pale green and Small being ¾ of an inch in length and ⅜ in width; oval terminateing more accoutely at the apax, than near the insertion of the footstalk which is at the base vened nearly entire; footstalks Short and their position in respect to each other is alternate and too ranked, proceeding from the horizontal Side of the bough only.
  • February 7, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 27, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • The rat in the Rocky mountain on it's West side are like those on the upper part of the Missouri (Missouri River) in and near those mountains and have the distinguishing trait of possessing a tail covered with hair like other parts of the body; one of those we caught at the White bear Islands (White Bear Islands) in the beginning of July last and was then discribed.
  • it is as large as the common European house rat or reather larger, is of a lighter colour bordering more on the lead or drab colour, the hair longer; and the female has only four tits which are placed far back near the hinder legs.    this rat I have observed in the Western parts of the State of Georgia (Georgia) and also in Madison's cave (Madisons Cave) in the state of Virginia (Virginia) .   
  • February 27, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
April 9, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • they Signd. that they bought it below and appeared to be highly afronted at our taking it but were afraid to Show it    a number of these natives are moveing up to the big Shoote (Columbia River, Cascades (Great Rapids, Great Shute)) to fish &C    a number of an other nation overtook us who belong up near the big falls &C    a large creek puts in close above the village which we did not discover last fall.   
  • Some Spots of Snow is now on the tops of these Mountains Near the River. Watlala Chinookans (Watlala Indians) , whose village was in the vicinity of Skamania (Skamania, Wash.) , Skamania County (Skamania County, Wash.) , Washington (Washington) , which the group visited on November 2, 1805.
  • April 9, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
July 20, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) and Shields (Shields, John) each of them good judges of timber to proceed on down the river Six or 8 miles and examine the bottoms if any larger trees than those near which we are encamped can be found and return before twelve oClock.   
  • Pryor (Pryor, Nathaniel Hale) and Shields (Shields, John) returned at half past 11 A M. and informed me that they had proceeded down the timbered bottoms of the rivers for about 12 miles without finding a tree better than those near my Camp. I deturmined to have two Canoes made out of the largest of those trees and lash them together which will Cause them to be Study and fully Sufficient to take my Small party & Self with what little baggage we have down this river.   
  • July 20, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 25, 1804 - Floyd, Charles
  • Some hard water, & camped on a small Island near the North Side    Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) killed a Rabit, R.
  • June 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Floyd, Charles
August 13, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Nixt day after 12 Oclock— Monday August 13th    We embarked early this morning and continued on, at 4 oClock P. M we arrived at a Camp, near the Mahaw (Omaha Indians) Village when the commanding Officer, sent a Serjeant and four Men, with a White flag to the village, to Invite them to come to a Treaty.— The Serjeant & party proceeded on to the Mahaw (Omaha Indians) Village but found no Indians there, we continued here this day, waiting for their return.—
  • August 13, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
December 1, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • An Indian came down from the first Mandan (Mandan Indians) village, and told us that a great number of the Chien (Cheyenne Indians) or Dog (Cheyenne Indians) nation had arrived near the village. George Henderson (Henderson, George) , actually of the Hudson's Bay Company, and thus a competitor of the North West Company traders.
  • December 1, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
January 9, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 9th of January Wednesday 1805 A Cold Day    Themometer at 21° below 0, Great numbers of indians go to Kill Cows, [NB: Cn Clark (Clark, William) accd them with 3 or 4 man    killed a number of cows near the fort.] the little Crow (Little Crow (Ka-goh-ha-me)) Brackft. with us, Several Indians Call at the Fort nearly frosed, one man reported that he had Sent his Son a Small boy to the fort about 3 oClock, & was much distressed at not finding him here, the after part of this day verry Cold, and wind Keen
  • January 9, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
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. (Assiniboine River) a fiew days ago (the effect of Mr.
  • March 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 21, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 21st March Thursday 1805 a Cloudy Day    Some snow, the men Carried the remaining the 2 remained Canoes to the River, all except 3 left to take care & complete the Canoes, returned to the fort with their baggage, on my return to day to the Fort I came on the points of the high hills, Saw an emence quantity of Pumice Stone on the Sides & foot of the hills and emence beds of Pumice Stone near the Tops of the [hills] with evident marks of the Hill haveing once been on fire, I collected Some the differnt i e Stone Pumice Stone & a hard earth and put them into a furnace    the hard earth melted and glazed the others two and the hard Clay became a pumice Stone Glazed.
  • March 21, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 18, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • .—    Our officers sent 4 Men over the River, to a Priari which lay near the Ocean in order to get a small Canoe which belonged to the Clatsop Indians (Clatsop Indians) .   
  • March 18, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
March 26, 1806 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Our Officers gave one of the Indians, who belonged to the fishing Camp near us, A. Medal, & the Indian in return, gave them a large Sturgeon.   
  • March 26, 1806
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
June 3, 1805 entry by Meriwether Lewis
  • An interesting question was now to be determined; which of these rivers was the Missouri, or that river which the Minnetares call Amahte Arz zha or Missouri, and which they had discribed to us as approaching very near to the Columbia river.    to mistake the stream at this period of the season, two months of the traveling season having now elapsed, and to ascend such stream to the rocky Mountain or perhaps much further before we could inform ourselves whether it did approach the Columbia or not, and then be obliged to return and take the other stream would not only loose us the whole of this season but would probably so dishearten the party that it might defeat the expedition altogether.
  • N.D.
  • Multimedia
  • Gary E. Moulton
September 2, 1803 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • .—    thus leaving fine bottom land between itself and the hills in large boddys, and freequently in the form of a simecicles or the larger segment of a circle or horseshoe form    The weather is extreemly dry but there was some appearance of rain this morning which seems now to have blown over—    supposed I had gotten over Logtown riffle (Logtown Riffle) but find ourselvs stranded again    suppose it best to send out two or three men to engage some oxen or horses to assist us    obtain one horse and an ox, which enabled us very readily to get over    payd the man his charge which was one dollar; the inhabitants who live near these riffles live much by the distresed situation of traveller    are generally lazy    charge extravegantly when they are called on for assistance and have no filantrophy or contience; passed the mouth of two little creeks to the north, called allfores (Allfour's Run) & [blank]    a riffle a head; the boat rubbed for some distance but by geting out and pulling her on by the thwarts we got her over;—    on each side of the river there are three banks, or suddon rises from the summets of which the land generally brake off for a certain distance pretty level untill arrives at the high hills before mentioned which appear to give a direction to the river—    the fist bank or that which the river washes is generally from twenty to twentyfive feet, and the bottom lying on a level with this is 〈usually〉 only overflown in remarkable high floods, the consequence is that there is no drowneded or marsh lands on this river; this bottom which is certainly the richest land from it's being liable some times to be overflowed is not esteemed so valuable as the second bottom—    The second bottum usually rises from twentyfive to thirty feet above the first and is allways safe or secure from inundation; usually good when wide from the 3d bank and contrary when the bottom is narrow or the river brakes against the 2d near the 3rd bank which it sometimes dose    what is called the third bottom is more properly the high benches of the large range of hills before noticed and is of a more varied discription as well as it respects the fertility of it's soil as shape and perpendicular hight, the river sometimes but very seldom brakes against this bank—    the second and third of these banks allways run parrallel with the high hills and that bordering on the river is of course shaped by it. passed Waller's riffle (Waller's Ripple) with but little dificulty—    Thermometer stood at seventy six in the cabbin    the temperature of the water in the river when emersed about the same—    observed today the leaves of the buckeye, Gum, and sausafras begin to fade, or become red— Logtown Riffle (Logtown Riffle) was named for Logstown (Logstown (Pa.)) , a village of Shawnee (Shawnee Indians) , Delaware (Delaware Indians) , Iroquois (Iroquois Indians) , and other Indians established before 1748. It was an important trading and conference site before the French and Indian War. It was near the site of present Ambridge (Ambridge, Pa.) , Beaver County (Beaver County, Pa.) , Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania) .
  • September 2, 1803
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 28, 1803 - Clark, William
  • Clark November 28th Set out this morning of 8 oClock from the lower point of the horse Island (Horse Island) , which Island is Situated opposit the mouth of Kaskaskies River (Kaskaskia River) Commonly Called Aucau Creek (Kaskaskia River) —    passed the mouth said River at half passed 8 oClock—    the high lands make near the Mississippi (Mississippi River) below the mouth of said River, a bold and rockey shore This morning being verry Smokey prevents my being as acurate as I Could wish—    passed a Small Creek (Saint Laurent Creek) on the Larbd. Side near the point of a ridge of high Land makeing to the river. This Creek heads but a feew miles from the river, at 1 oClock passed Donohoes Landing (Donohoe's Landing) on the Larbd. side, this landing is the place that Boats receive Salt from the Saline Licks (Saline Licks) which is one mile and 2 ½ miles S W from the River, and is worked at present to great advantage, passed the mouth of the Saline Creek (Saline Creek) at three oClock, this Creek mouthes behind an Island    This Creek has a thick settlement [sediment] on its waters, at the time I passed this Creek the horozon became darkened that I could not see across the River, which appeared to widened, and the Current much Swifter than usial    Passed an Island on the Larbd. side, also one on the Starbd side abov that on the Larbd. and after passing some verry swift water which was comfd [confined?]
  • Clark's (Clark, William) camp was on the opposite shore, in Randolph County (Randolph County, Ill.) , Illinois (Illinois) , near Kaskaskia (Kaskaskia, Ill.) . Houck, 1:337–62, 2:208–9, 3:140; Missouri Guide, 269–73.
  • November 28, 1803
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
July 14, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark July 14th, Satturday 1804 Some hard Showers or rain this morning prevented our Setting out untill 7 oClock, at half past Seven, the atmispr. became Sudenly darkened by a black and dismal looking Cloud, at the time we were in a Situation (not to be bettered) near the upper point of the Sand Island (Sand Island) , on which we lay, and the opposit Shore, the bank was falling in and lined with Snags as far as we could See down,—.   
  • I fired at one but did not get him, went out into a large extensive bottom the greater part of which overflows, the part that does not overflow, is rich and well timbered, Some Small open Praries near the hills, the Boat passed the lower part of a large Island Situated on the S.
  • The party probably passed the mouth near the present Atchison (Atchison County, Mo.) -Holt (Holt County, Mo.)
  • July 14, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 9, 1805 - Clark, William
  • the Vallie thro which we passed about 2 miles wide, lands pore & Stoney    The foot of the Snow toped mountains approach near the river on the left the river 50 yards wide Shallow & Stoney.   
  • North 12 Miles to the mouth of a lark fork [EC: Hellgate (Clark Fork (Clark's, East Fork Clark's, Flathead) River) ] which Joins from the right and heads up near the Missouri (Missouri River) Some dis- tance below the 3 forks,    this River has extinsive Vallies and is a good rout to the Missouri (Missouri River) which the Indians say may be traveled in 4 days and is a good rout. The Vallie near the mouth of this fork is about 7 or 8 miles wide leavel & open, but little timber on this fork in Sight.
  • September 9, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 20, 1805 - Clark, William
  • &c.    passed 4 Lodges on a Island near the Stard. Side opsd. a bad rapid at the lower point of th Island S.
  • Side    passed a Small riffle at the head of the 12 Islands in this 〈Course〉 Day. 42 Columbia River (Columbia River) near Mouth of John Day River (John Day (Lepage's) River (Sherman-Gilliam counties, Oreg.)) , Washington (Washington) and Oregon (Oregon) , ca.
  • Hitchcock et al., 2:85; Little (CIH), 166-W; Cutright (LCPN), 229, 244. As they neared the coast they were seeing increased signs of at least indirect white contact.
  • October 20, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
January 31, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Charbono (Charbonneau, Toussaint) found a bird dead lying near the fort this morning and brought it to me    I immediately recognized it to be of the same kind of that which I had seen in the Rocky mountains (Rocky Mountains) on the morning of the 20th of September last.    this bird is about the size as near as may be of the robbin.    it's contour also is precisely the same with that bird.   
  • The crown of the head from the beak back to the neck, the back of the neck imbracing reather more than half the circumpherence of the neck, the back and tale, are of bluish dark brown; the two outer feathers of the tale have a little dash of white near their tips not percemtible when the tail is foalded.    a fine black forms the ground of the wings; two stripes of the same colour pass on either side of the head from the base of the beak along the side of the head to it's junction with the neck, and imbraces the eye to it's upper edge; a third stripe of the same colour ¾ of an inch in width passes from the sides of the neck just above the butts of the wings across the croop in the form of a gorget.   
  • January 31, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
March 31, 1806 - Clark, William
  • Side opposit one large House of the Shah-ha-la (Watlala Indians) Nation    near this house at the time we passed on the 4th of November last was Situated 25 houses, 24 of them were built of Straw & Covered with bark as before mentioned.   
  • Side of White brant Island (Lady (White Brant) Island) near the upper point of Which a Small river falls in about 80 yards wide and at this time discharges a great quantity of water.   
  • E. derection. The three Indians encamped near us and visited our fire    we entered into a kind of a Conversation by signs, of the Country and Situation of the rivers.   
  • March 31, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 12, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • M'Kenzie's (Mackenzie, Alexander) account, appears to be contracted in the latitude of his route near the 53rd degree to the breadth of about 200 miles, where the country is rough and covered with timber.
  • This range of lofty mountains prevents the Tacoutche (Fraser (Tacoutche-Tesse) River) or Columbia river (Columbia River) from finding a direct course to the ocean, and forces it in direction somewhat east of south, until it arrives near the 45th degree of latitude, when it turns to the west, and at length finds its way to the Ocean through the Columbia (Columbia River) valley. "From the information gained by the late expedition, by M'Kenzie's (Mackenzie, Alexander) voyage, the discoveries of Captain Cooke (Cook, James) and others, it appears there are great quantities of timber, chiefly of the pine or fir kind, between the shore of the Pacific (Pacific Ocean) and the chain of mountains which run near it; but between there and the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains) , especially south of M'Kenzie's (Mackenzie, Alexander) route, a great part is open prairie or plains almost totally without timber.
  • May 12, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
July 4, 1806 - Clark, William
  • our hunters joined us with 2 deer in tolerable order. on the Side of the Hill near the place we dined Saw a gange of Ibex or big horn Animals I Shot at them running and missed.
  • those Creeks are emensely rapid has great decnt [NB: descent]    the bottoms of the Creek as well as the low lands on each Side is thickly covered with large Stone. after passing this Creek I inclined to the left and fell into the road on which we had passed down last fall near the place we had dined on the 7th of Sept. and continued on the road passing up on the W.
  • Clark (Clark, William) camped on the north side of the West Fork Bitterroot River (West Fork Bitterroot River (West Fork Clark's River)) , near its junction with the Bitterroot (Bitterroot (Clark's, Flathead) River) in Ravalli County (Ravalli County, Mont.) .
  • July 4, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 18, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Supd. on Brant and pounded fish    men all Chearfull, express a Desire to winter near the falls this winter.— Clark's (Clark, William) route is shown as a dotted line on Atlas map 91 and on fig. 1.
  • There is also a Quaternary-age landslide near this point containing rubble derived from the Astoria Formation.
  • Clark's (Clark, William) camp is shown on Atlas map 91, near McKenzie Head (McKenzie Head) in Fort Canby State Park (Fort Canby State Park) .
  • November 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 1, 1806 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • we desired Drewyer (Drouillard, George) to make some enquiry after the Twisted hair (Twisted Hair (Walamotinin)) ; the old man has not been as good as his word with rispect to encamping near us, and we fear we shall be at a loss to procure from Traveller's rest (Travelers' Rest (Idaho)) to the waters of the Missouri (Missouri River) .—    I met with a singular plant today in blume of which I preserved a specemine; it grows on the steep sides of the fertile hills near this place, the radix is fibrous, not much branched, annual, woody, white and nearly smooth.   
  • the branches are but few and those near it's upper extremity.    the extremities of the branches are flexable and are bent down near their extremities with the weight of the flowers.   
  • June 1, 1806
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
September 9, 1804 - Lewis, Meriwether
  • Clark (Clark, William) found on the Lard shore under a high bluff issuing from a blue earth a bittuminus matter resembling molasses in consistance, colour and taste— Missouri River (Missouri River) near present Fort Randall Dam (Fort Randall Dam) , South Dakota (South Dakota) , ca.
  • September 9, 1804
  • Journals
  • Lewis, Meriwether
November 16, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 16th    November Friday 1804 a verry white frost    all the trees all Covered with ice, Cloudy, all the men move into the huts which is not finishd    Several Indians Come to Camp to day, The Ossiniboins (Assiniboine Indians) is at the Big bellie (Hidatsa Indians) Camp, Some trouble like to take place between them from the loss of horses &c. as is Said by an old Indian who visited us with 4 buffalow robes & Corn to trade for a pistol which we did not let him have, men imployed untill late in dobing their huts, Some horses Sent down to Stay in the woods near the fort, to prevent the Ossniboins (Assiniboine Indians) Steeling them Daubing, that is, coating the walls with clay to close the chinks between the logs.
  • November 16, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 24, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • We passed a creek on the North side, and having made 24¼ miles encamped on the South side. The hills are near, on both sides of the river, and very high.
  • May 24, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
August 12, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Some of these rapids is deep and dangerous to pass up    one of the large canoes was near turning over.    we passed low Swampy land    a little timber along the Shore.   
  • August 12, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 28, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • The Shoshone (Shoshone Indians) camp was now apparently about four miles north of Tendoy (Tendoy, Idaho) , Lemhi County (Lemhi County, Idaho) , Idaho (Idaho) , near where Kenney Creek (Kenney Creek) joins the Lemhi River (Lemhi (East Fork Lewis's) River) .
  • August 28, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
November 26, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • In Clatsop County (Clatsop County, Oreg.) , near Svenson (Svenson, Oreg.) .
  • November 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick

Created by the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
in partnership with the University of Nebraska Press
and funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.