Day-by-Day / September 12, 1806

September 12, 1806

Given up for dead

Moving down the Missouri River, the captains meet four old acquaintances. At present St. Joseph, Missouri, the captains review and modify orders given to Pierre Dorion and Joseph Gravelines by President Jefferson. An old military companion, Robert McClellan, says that in the states, Lewis and Clark have been given up for dead.

Mr. McClellan

by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

An 1804 Engagé

met 2 perogues from St. Louis one contained the property of Mr. Choteau [Auguste Chouteau] bound to the panias [Pawnees] on River Platt[e]], the other going up trapping as high as the Mahars [Omahas]. here we met one of the french men who had accompanied us as high as the Mandans
William Clark

Old Acquaintances

Met Mr. McClellin at the St. Michl. Prarie [St. Joseph] we came too here we found Mr. Jo Gravelin [Joseph Gravelines] the Ricaras [Arikaras] enterpreter whome we had Sent down with a Ricaras Chief in the Spring of 1805 and old Mr. Durion [Pierre Dorion, Sr.] the Sieux enterpreter
—William Clark

A Well-loaded Keel Boat

this keel Boat was well loaded down with Marchandizes and is going up to the Marhars and yanktons to winter their. we mooved across the river and Camped on N. S. 2 Small canoes Sent on a head to hunt. Mr. McLanen gave our officers wine and the party as much whiskey as we all could drink.
John Ordway

Gravelines’ Mission

Gravelin was ordered to the Ricaras with a Speach from the president of the U. States to that nation and some presents which had been given the Ricara Cheif who had visited the U. States and unfortunately died at the City of Washington, he was instructed to teach the Ricaras agriculture & make every enquirey after Capt Lewis my self and the party—
—William Clark

Dorion’s Mission

Mr. Durion was enstructed to accompany Gravelin and through his influence pass him with his presents & by the tetons bands of Sieux [Lakotas], and to provale on Some of the Principal chiefs of those bands not exceeding six to visit the Seat of the Government next Spring he was also enstructed to make every enquirey after us.
—William Clark

Given Up for Dead

Mr. McLanen informed us that the people in general in the united States were concerned about us as they had heard that we were all killed then again they heard that the Spanyards had us in the mines &C.
—John Ordway

 

Weather Diary

State of the weather at Sun rise Course of the wind at Sun rise State of the weather at 4 oClock Course of wind at 4 P. M
fair S E cloudy after rain S E

Heavy dew this morning and fog Some rain from 12 to 4 P M
—William Clark[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is omitted and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

 

Notes

Notes
1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.
2 To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is omitted and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

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Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.