Returning down the Missouri, the expedition arrives at their old Pleasant Camp—also known as Plum Camp—below present Oacoma, South Dakota. The captains decide to remain there to collect mule deer, pronghorn, and prairie dog specimens. Some men make leather for new clothes, and others pick plums.
Capt. Lewis Still not Well
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
Prairie Dogs
Cynomys ludovicianus
Photo by MONGO who has released it to the public domain.
Specimen Collecting
embarked early, and proceeded on till about 11 o’clock, when we arrived at Pleasant camp, and halted. We left this camp on the 18th September, 1804. The Commanding Officers wishing to procure and taken down with them the skeltons of some mule deer, and cabre [pronghorn]; and knowing that there were but few of those animals lower down the river
—Patrick Gass
Picking Plums
Several of the men and the Squaws of the enterpreter Jessomme [Jusseaume] and the Mandan Chief [Sheheke] went to Some plumb bushes in the bottom and geathered more plumbs than the party Could eate in 2 days
—William Clark
Making New Clothes
Several of the men went at dressing deer and goat skins to make themselves cloaths &C. &C. in the evening our hunters returnd had killed 2 buffaloe three deer one porcupine and Several bearking Squerrells the Musquetoes troublesome &C.
—John Ordway
Prairie Dog Specimens
we precured two of the barking Squirels [prairie dogs] only. as we Could not precere any Mule deer or antelope we concluded to Send the hunters on a head early in the morning and delay untill 10 A. M to give them time to hunt.
—William Clark
Weather Diary
State of the weather at Sun rise State of wind at Sunrise State of the weather at 4 P. M. Wind at 4 P. M. State of river fair S. E fair N W —William Clark[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is omitted, some abbreviations have been spelled out, and the three river columns have been merged.
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, some abbreviations have been spelled out, and the three river columns have been merged. |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
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.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
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).