Past the Omaha

Following the Missouri River north along the present Nebraska-Iowa border, the expedition passes the homelands of the Otoes and Omahas. The captains pay their respects to the late Omaha Chief Blackbird and conduct their first two councils, one with the Otoes and another with the Omaha.

Strong currents, heat, sandbars, sawyers, and masses of driftwood make hard days for the enlisted men and engagés, and Pvt. Moses Reed and an engagé desert.

Shortly after the council with the Omahas, Sgt. Charles Floyd becomes ill, and passes away. He is buried “with all the honors of War” on a bluff overlooking the river in present Sioux City, Iowa.

July 1804

1. July 21, 1804 – Arrival at the River PlatteLeni HollimanDuration: 3:09
2. July 22, 1804 – Gifts and Formalities with the OtoesLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
3. July 23, 1804 – Searching for the OtoesLeni HollimanDuration: 2:59
4. July 26, 1804 – Five Beaver CaughtLeni HollimanDuration: 2:25
5. July 27, 1804 – Leaving Camp White CatfishLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
6. July 28, 1804 – Encounter with a Plains IndianLeni HollimanDuration: 2:46
7. July 29, 1804 – A Messenger to the Otoe CampLeni HollimanDuration: 2:37
8. July 30, 1804 – A Small, Burrowing AnimalLeni HollimanDuration: 2:45

August 1804

1. Aug 2, 1804 – The Indians not yet ArrivedLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
2. Aug 3, 1804 – Council with the IndiansLeni HollimanDuration: 3:08
3. Aug 4, 1804 – Private Moses Reed MissingLeni HollimanDuration: 2:45
4. Aug 5, 1804 – Clark Chases some TurkeysLeni HollimanDuration: 2:55
5. Aug 6, 1804 – Four Men Sent to Take Pvt. Reed, Dead or Alive!Leni HollimanDuration: 3:01
6. Aug 9, 1804 – The Fate of Moses ReedLeni HollimanDuration: 2:07
7. Aug 10, 1804 – Blackbird, King of the OmahaLeni HollimanDuration: 2:25
8. Aug 11, 1804 – Memorial Flag for BlackbirdLeni HollimanDuration: 2:33
9. Aug 12, 1804 – Prairie Wolf at Camp's EdgeLeni HollimanDuration: 2:44
10. Aug 13, 1804 – Dispatched Men to Omaha VillageLeni HollimanDuration: 2:22
11. Aug 16, 1804 – A Big Fish StoryLeni HollimanDuration: 2:44
12. Aug 17, 1804 – Reed, The Deserter, CaughtLeni HollimanDuration: 2:29
13. Aug 18, 1804 – Pvt. Moses B. Reed: GuiltyLeni HollimanDuration: 2:54
14. Aug 19, 1804 – Sergeant Floyd Very IllLeni HollimanDuration: 2:39
15. Aug 20, 1804 – Sergeant Floyd DiesLeni HollimanDuration: 2:45

Originally aired by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial observance in 2004–2006, these 627 radio episodes parallel the expedition dates starting 14 May 1804 and ending 25 September 1806. They aired only on weekdays with four introductory vignettes and four episodes about events after the expedition. They are narrated by Hal Hansen, scripted by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson, and produced by Leni Holliman.