Lewis and Clark Journal Entries Group #1
Corps first meeting with the Teton Sioux (September 24-28, 1804)
September 24, 1804, Joseph Whitehouse
we saw 5 Indians on the bank but we could not understand them nor them us. ... we had one frenchman on board who could Speak a little of their language. they told us that their chiefs would come to See us tomorrow. they sayd that if their young men had taken the horse they would Git him again. these are a band of the Souix nation called the Tetons.
September 25, 1804, John Ordway
Called the Tribe of Tetons. about 10 o.C. A.M. they Came flocking in from boath Sides of the River. Capt Lewis & Capt Clark went out to Speak and treat with them. Gave the 3 Chiefs 3 niew meddals & 1 american flag Some knives & other Small articles of Goods & Gave the head chief the Black Buffalow a red coat & a cocked hat & feather &.C. likewise Some Tobacco. ... they did not appear to talk much untill they had got the goods, and then they wanted more, Capt Lewis Shewed them the air Gun. Shot it several times.. then the Captains told them that we had a great ways to goe & that we did not wish to be detained any longer.... the head chief the Black Buffaloe, Seized hold of the cable of the pearogue and Set down. Capt Lewis who was on board ordered every man to his arms. the large Swivel [was] loaded immediately with 16 Musquet Ball in it the 2 other Swivels loaded well with Buck Shot [and] each of them manned. Capt Clark used moderation with them told them that we must and would go on and would go. the chief Sayed he had warriers too and if we were to go on they would follow us and kill and take the whole of us by degrees or that he had another party or lodge above this [and] that they were able to destroy us. then Capt Clark told them that we were Sent by their great father the president of the U.S. and that if they misused us that he or Capt Lewis could by writing to him have them all distroyed as it were in a moment
September 26, 1804, Patrick Gass
Capt. Clarke went on shore. When the Indians saw him coming they met him with a buffaloe robe, spread it out and made him get into it, and then eight of them carried him to the council house. About an hour after some of the them came for Captain Lewis, and he landed; and eight of them carried him to the council house in the same manner, they had carried Captain Clarke. They killed several dogs for our people to feast on, and spent the greater part of the day in eating and smoking. At night the women assembled, and danced till 11 o'clock;
Lewis and Clark Journal Entries Group #2
The portage around the Great Falls (June 4-July 4, 1805)
June 07, 1805, Meriwether Lewis
It continued to rain almost without intermission last night and as I expected we had a most disagreable and wrestless night. ... In passing along the face of one of these bluffs today I sliped at a narrow pass of about 30 yards in length and but for a quick and fortunate recovery by means of my espontoon I should have been precipitated into the river down a craggy pricipice of about ninety feet. I had scarcely reached a place on which I could stand with tolerable safety even with the assistance of my espontoon before I heard a voice behind me cry out god god Capt. what shall I do on turning about I found it was Windsor who had sliped and fallen ab[o]ut the center of this narrow pass and was lying prostrate on his belley, with his wright hand arm and leg over the precipice while he was holding on with the left arm and foot as well as he could which appeared to be with much difficulty. I discovered his danger and the trepedation which he was in gave me still further concern for I expected every instant to see him loose his strength and slip off; altho' much allarmed at his situation I disguised my feelings and spoke very calmly to him and assured him that he was in no kind of danger, to take the knife out of his belt behind him with his wright hand and dig a hole with it in the face of the bank to receive his wright foot which he did and then raised himself to his knees; I then directed him to take off his mockersons and to come forward on his hands and knees holding the knife in one hand and the gun in the other this he happily effected and escaped.
Lewis and Clark Journal Entries Group #4
Arrival in Oregon Country and experiences with the rivers and food
October 14, 1805 William Clark
(Canoe overturned ...) Great maney articles lost among other things 2 of the mens beding shot pouches Tomahaw[k]s &c &c and every article wet. ... for the first time for three weeks past I had a good dinner of Blue wing Teel, our loss in provisions is verry considerable all our roots was in the canoe that Sunk, and Cannot be dried Sufficient to save, our loose powder was also in the Canoe and is all wete. ... we have made it a point at all times not to take any thing belonging to the Indians even their wood. but at this time we are Compelled to violate that rule and take a part of the split timber we find here bur[e]ed for fire wood, as no other is to be found in any direction.
October 17, 1805 William Clark
(First draft) ... the old chief came down, and several men with dogs to sell ... the Dogs we purchased This river is remarkably clear and crouded with salmon in maney places, I observe in assending great numbers of salmon dead on the shores, floating on the water and in the Bottom which can be seen at the debth of 20 feet, the cause of the emence numbers of dead salmon I can't account for….
Those women are more inclined to Co[r]pulency than any we have yet Seen, with low Stature broad faces, heads flatened and the foward [forehead] compressed so as to form a Streight line from the nose to the Crown of the head…Those people appears to live in a State of comparitive happiness: they take a great[er] share [in the] labor of the woman, than is common among Savage tribes, and as I am informed [are] content with one wife.
October 19, 1805 William Clark
... I assended a high clift ... from this place I descovered a high mountain of emence hight covered with Snow, this must be one of the mountains laid down by Vancouver, as seen from the mouth of the Columbia River, from the course which it bears which is West I take it to be Mt. St. Helens, I landed in front of five Lodges ... Saw no person ... entered a lodge which was the nearest to me found 32 persons men, women and a few children Setting permiscuisly in the Lodge, in the greatest agutation, Some crying and ringing there hands, others hanging their heads. ... They said we came from the clouds &c. &c. and were not men &c &c. ... as Soon as they Saw the Squar wife of the interperter they pointed to her and informed those who continued yet in the Same position I first found them, they imediately all came out and appeared to assume new life, the sight of This Indian woman, wife to one of our interprs. confirmed those people of our friendly intentions, as no woman ever accompanies a war party of Indians in this quarter.
Lewis and Clark Journal Entries Group #3
Corps crossing of the Rocky Mountains (September 1-22, 1805)
September 02, 1805, Joseph Whitehouse
the mountains on each Side of the Creek is verry Steep and high. the bottoms on the Creek narrow and Swampy a nomber of beaver dams. we Call this place dismal Swamp, and it is a lonesom rough part of the Country. we were obledged to climb Several hills with our horses, where it was So Steep and rockey that Some of the horses which was weak and their feet Sore they fell back 3 or 4 fell over backwards and roled to the foot of the hills. we were then obledged to carry the loads up the hills and then load again.
Help from the Nez Perce after crossing the Rockies(September 22-October 18, 1805)
September 22, 1805Meriwether Lewis
the pleasure I now felt in having tryumphed over the rockeyMountains and decending once more to a level and fertile country where there was every rational hope of finding a comfortable subsistence for myself and party can be more readily conceived than expressed, nor was the flattering prospect of the final success of the expedition less pleasing.
September 22, 1805, William Clark
our party weakened and much reduced in flesh as well as Strength,
September 22, 1805, Patrick Gass
The Indians belonging to this band, received us kindly, appeared pleased to see us, and gave us such provisions as they had. We were at a loss for an interpreter, none of our interpreters being able to understand them.
September 25, 1805, Patrick Gass
The men in general appear to be getting much better; but Captain Lewis is very sick and taking medicine; and myself and two or three of the men are yet very unwell. The climate here is warm; and the heat to-day was as great as we had experienced at any time during the summer. The water also is soft and warm, and perhaps causes our indisposition more than any thing else.
Lewis and Clark Journal Entries Group #5
Confrontation with Native Tribes (July 25-28, 1805)
July 25, 1806 Meriwether Lewis
...it continued to rain and I did not see the sun through the whole course of the day R. Fields and myself killed nine pige[ons] ... on these we dined. late in the evening Drewyer and J. Fields returned the former had killed a fine buck on which we now fared sumptuously. ...
July 28, 1806 Meriwether Lewis
I was so soar from my ride yesterday that I could scarcely stand, and the men complained of being in a similar situation however I encouraged them by telling them that our own lives as well as those of our friends and fellow travellers depended on our exertions at this moment; ... I now told them that it was my determination that if we were attacked in the plains on our way to the point that the bridles of the horses should be tied together and we would stand and defend them, or sell our lives as dear as we could. …on arriving at the bank of the river had the unspeakable satisfaction to see our canoes coming down. ... we decended the river opposite to our principal cash which we proceeded to open after reconnoitering the adjacent country. we found that the cash had caved in and most of the articles burried therin were injured; I sustained the loss of two very large bear skins which I much regret; most of the fur and baggage belonging to the men were injured. the gunpowder corn flour poark and salt had sustained but little injury the parched meal was spoiled or nearly so.. ... having now nothing to detain us we passed over immediately to the island in the entrance of Maria's river to launch the red perogue, but found her so much decayed that it was impossible with the means we had to repare her and therefore mearly took the nails and other ironworks about her which might be of service to us and left her.
July 28, 1806 John Ordway
we discovred on a high bank a head Capt Lewis & the three men who went with him on horse back comming towards us on N. Side we came too Shore and fired the Swivell to Salute him & party we Saluted them also with Small arms and were rejoiced to See them &C. Capt Lewis took us all by the hand, ... Ruben Fields chased an Indian who Capt Lewis had made a chief gave him a meddle last evening & he was running of[f] with R. Fields and his brothers Jo Fields Guns. Reuben overhalled him [and] caught hold of the 2 guns had his knife drawn & as he Snatched away the guns perced his knife in to the Indians heart he drew but one breath the wind of his breath followed the knife & he fell dead ... turned out the horses in the plain & threw the Saddles in the River & came on board the canoes. then we proced on with as much Speed as possable.