The expedition continues up the Missouri River above present Washburn, North Dakota stopping often to talk with curious Mandans. Due to numerous sandbars, finding a good channel becomes difficult. They hear news of Sioux and Assiniboine raids, and that a French trader has recently been killed.
Mandan Curious about the Corps
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
View from Double Ditch (north)
Provided by U.S. Geological Survey (cropped).
Curious Mandans
Several parties of Mandins rode to the river on the S. S. to view us indeed they are continuelly in Sight Satisying their Curiossities as to our apperance &c.
—William Clark
Sioux and Assiniboine Raids
we are told that the Seaux [Sioux] has latterly fallen in with & Stole the horses of the Big belley [Hidatsas], on their way home they fell in with the Ossiniboin [The Assiniboines] who killed them and took the horses— a frenchman has latterly been killed by the Indians on the Track to the tradeing establishment on the Ossinebine R. in the North of this place (or British fort) This frenchman has lived many years with the Mandins—
—William Clark
Grieving Mandan
Several Indians Come to See us this evening, amongst others the Sun of the late great Cheif of the Mandins, this man has his two little fingers off—; on inqureing the Cause, was told it was Customary for this nation to Show their greaf by Some testimony of pain, and that it was not uncommon for them to take off 2 Smaller fingers of the hand and Some times more with ther marks of Savage effection
—William Clark
Difficult Boating
river full of Sand bars & we are at a great loss to find the Channel of the river, frequently run on the Sand bars which Detain us much passed a verry bad riffle of rocks in the evining by takeing the L. S. of a Sand bar
—William Clark
Persistent Pains
R. Fields with the rhumitim in his neck, P. Crusat [Pierre Cruzatte] with the Same Complaint in his Legs— the party other wise is well, as to my Self I feel but Slight Simptoms of that disorder at this time,
—William Clark
Weather Diary
Thermot. at rise
Weather Wind at thermotr. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 oC P.M. 31 cloudy S E 50 cloudy S E. this evening passed a rapid and sholde place in the river were obliged to get out and drag the boat— all the leaves of the trees have now fallen— the snow did not lye.
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.
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, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” column and spelled out some abbreviations. |
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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.
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Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).