The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 Part 1

The Journals of Lewis and Clark.

by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

[Clark, May 14, 1804]

May the 14th-Monday Set out from Camp River a Dubois at 4 oClock P.M. and proceded up the Missouris under Sail to the first Island in the Missouri and Camped on the upper point opposit a Creek on the South Side below a ledge of limestone rock Called Colewater, made 41/2 miles, the Party Consisted of 2, Self one frenchman and 22 Men in the Boat of 20 ores, 1 Serjt. & 7 french in a large Perogue, a Corp and 6 Soldiers in a large Perogue.

a Cloudy rainey day. wind from the N E. men in high Spirits

[Clark, May 14, 1804]

Monday May 14th 1804 Rained the forepart of the day I determined to go as far as St. Charles a french Village 7 Leags. up the Missourie, and wait at that place untill Capt. Lewis Could finish the business in which he was obliged to attend to at St Louis and join me by Land from that place 24 miles; by this movement I calculated that if any alterations in the loading of the Vestles or other Changes necessary, that they might be made at St.

Charles I Set out at 4 oClock P.M. in the presence of many of the Neighbouring inhabitents, and proceeded on under a jentle brease up the Missourie to the upper Point of the 1st Island 4 Miles and Camped on the Island which is Situated Close on the right (or Starboard) Side, and opposit the mouth of a Small Creek called Cold water, a heavy rain this after-noon The Course of this day nearly West wind from N. E

[Lewis, May 15, 1804]

Tuesday May 15th It rained during the greater part of last night and continued untill 7 OCk. A.M. after which the Prarty proceeded, pa.s.sed two Islands and incamped on the Stard. sh.o.r.e at Mr. Fifer's landing opposite an Island, the evening was fair. some wild gees with their young brudes were seen today. the barge run foul three several times--on logs, and in one instance it was with much difficulty they could get her off; happily no injury was sustained, tho the barge was several minutes in eminent danger; this was cased by her being too heavily laden in the stern.

Persons accustomed to the navigation of the Missouri and the Mississippi also below the mouth of this river, uniformly take the precaution to load their vessels heavyest in the bow when they ascend the stream in order to avoid the danger incedent to runing foul of the concealed timber which lyes in great quant.i.ties in the beds of these rivers.

[Clark, May 15, 1804]

Tuesday 15--rained all last night and this morning untill 7 oClock, all our fire extinguished, Some Provisions on the top of the Perogus wet, I sent two men to the Countrey to hunt, & proceed on at 9 oClock, and proceeded on 9 miles and Camped at a Mr Pip. Landing just below a Coal Bank on the South Side the prarie Comes with 1/4 of a mile of the river on the N. Side I sent to the Setlements in the Pairie & purchased fowls &. one of the Perogue are not Sufficently maned to Keep up.

Refurences from the 15th of May (2) a large Island to the Starboard; (3) pa.s.sed a Small Island in the bend to the Starbord, opposit Pa.s.sage De Soux and with 11/2 miles of the mississippi, observed a number of Gosselins on the edge of the river many pa.s.sing down, Strong water & wind from the N E--Pa.s.sed a Place Lbord Called the Plattes, a flat rock projecting from the foot of a hill, where there is a farm, (5) pa.s.s an Small Isld near the Center of the river, run on Several logs this after noon, Camped at Mr. Pipers Landing.

[Clark, May 15, 1804]

May 15th Tuesday Rained the greater part of the last night, and this morning untile 7 oClock--at 9 oClock Set out and proceeded on 9 miles pa.s.sed two Islands & incamped on the Starbd. Side at a Mr. Pipers Landing opposit an Island, the Boat run on Logs three times to day, owing her being too heavyly loaded a Sturn, a fair after noon, I Saw a number of Goslings to day on the Sh.o.r.e, the water excessively rapid, & Banks falling in-.

[Clark, May 16, 1804]

Wednesday May 16th A fair morning, Set out at 5 oClock pa.s.sed the Coal hill (Call by the natives Carbonear) this hill appears to Contain great quantytes of Coal, and also ore of a rich appearance haveing greatly the resemblance of Silver Arrived Opposit St Charles at 12 oClock, this Village is at the foot of a Hill from which it takes its real name Peeteite Coete or the little hill, it contains about 100 indefferent houses, and abot 450 Inhabetents princ.i.p.ally frinch, those people appear pore and extreemly kind, the Countrey around I am told is butifull. interspursed with Praries & timber alturnetly and has a number of American Settlers

Took equal alt.i.tuds with s.e.xtion M a 6837'30" Dined with the Comdr. & Mr. Ducetts family--(1) Pa.s.sed an Island on the L Side just above the bank one just above, two Small ones oposut under the St. Sh.o.r.e, one on Lb. Side below St Charles, arrived at this place at 12 oClock a fine Day

[Clark, May 16, 1804]

May 16th Wednesday a fair morning Set out at 5 oClk pa.s.s a remarkable Coal Hill on the Larboard Side Called by the French Carb.o.n.e.re, this hill appear to Contain great quant.i.ty of Coal & ore of a ____ appearance from this hill the village of St Charles may be Seen at 7 miles distance--we arrived at St. Charles at 12 oClock a number Spectators french & Indians flocked to the bank to See the party. This Village is about one mile in length, Situated on the North Side of the Missourie at the foot of a hill from which it takes its name Petiete Coete or the Little hill This village Contns. about 100 houses, the most of them Small and indefferent and about 450 inhabitents Chiefly French, those people appear pore, polite & harmonious--I was invited to Dine with a Mr.

Ducett this gentleman was once a merchant from Canadia, from misfortunes aded to the loss of a Cargo Sold to the late judge Turner he has become Somewhat reduced, he has a Charming wife an eligent Situation on the hill Serounded by orchards & a excellent gardain.

[Clark, May 17, 1804]

Thursday the 17th 1804 a fine Day 3 men Confined for misconduct, I had a Court martial & punishment Several Indians, who informed me that the Saukees had lately Crossed to war against the Osage Nation Som aplicasions, I took equal alt.i.tudes made the m a. to be 84 39' 15"

measured the Missouries at this place and made it 720 yards wide, in Banks. a Boat came up this evening, I punished Hall agreeable to his Sentence in part, a fine after noon; Suped with Mr. Ducett an agreeable man more agreeable Lady, this Gentleman has a Delightfull Situation & garden.

[Clark, May 17, 1804]

May the 17th Thursday 1804 a fair day Compelled to punish for misconduct. Several Kickapoos Indians Visit me to day, George Drewyer arrive. Took equal alt.i.tudes of Suns L L made it 84 39' 15" ap T. Measured the river found it to be 720 yards wide, a Keel Boat Came up to day--Several of the inhabitents Came abord to day receved Several Speces of Vegatables from the inhabitents to day

[Ordway, May 17, 1804]

Orders St. Charles Thursdy the 17th of May 1804- a Sergeant and four men of the Party destined for the Missourri Expidition will convene at 11 oClock to day on the quarter Deck of the Boat, and form themselves into a Court martial to hear and determine (in behalf of the Capt.) the evidences aduced against William Warner & Hugh Hall for being absent last night without leave; contrary to orders;-& John Collins 1st for being absent without leave--2nd for behaveing in an unbecomeing manner at the Ball last night--3rdly for Speaking in a language last night after his return tending to bring into disrespect the orders of the Commanding officer

Signd. W. Clark Comdg.

Detail for Court martial

Segt. John Ordway Prs.

members R. Fields R. Windsor J. Whitehouse Jo. Potts

The Court convened agreeable to orders on the 17th of May 1804 Sgt.

John Ordway P. members Joseph Whitehouse Rueben Fields Potts Richard Windsor after being duly Sworn the Court proceded to the trial of William Warner & Hugh Hall on the following Charges Viz: for being absent without leave last night contrary to orders, to this Charge the Prisoners plead Guilty. The Court one of oppinion that the Prisoners Warner & Hall are Both Guilty of being absent from camp without leave it being a breach of the Rules and articles of war and do Sentence them Each to receive twentyfive lashes on their naked back, but the Court recommend them from their former Good conduct, to the mercy of the commanding officer.--at the Same court was tried John Collins Charged 1st for being absent without leave--2d. for behaveing in an unbecomming manner at the ball last night idly for Speaking in a languguage after his return to camp tending to bring into disrespect the orders of the Commanding officer--The Prisoner Pleads Guilty to the first Charge but not Guilty to the two last chrges.--after mature deliberation & agreeable to the evidence aduced. The Court are of oppinion that the Prisnair is Guilty of all the charges alledged against him it being a breach of the rules & articles of War and do Sentence him to receive fifty lashes on his naked back--The Commanding officer approves of the proceedings & Desicon of the Court martial and orders that the punishment of John Collins take place this evening at Sun Set in the Presence of the Party.--The punishment ordered to be inflicted on William Warner & Hugh Hall, is remitted under the a.s.surence arriveing from a confidence which the Commanding officer has of the Sincerity of the recommendation from the Court.--after the punishment, Warner Hall & Collins will return to their squads and Duty

The Court is Disolved.

Sign. Wm. Clark

[Clark, May 18, 1804]

Friday May the 18th 1804 a fine morning took equal alt.i.tude and made it 97 42' 37" M. A

I had the Boat & Pierogue reloded So as to Cause them to be heavyer in bow than asturn recved of Mr. Lyon 136 lb. Tobacco on act. of Mr.

Choteau Gave out tin Cups & 3 Knives to the French hands, Mr. Lauriesme returned from the Kickapoo Town to day delayed a Short time & Set out for St. Louis, I Sent George Drewyer with Mr. Lauriesmus to St Louis & wrote to Cap Lewis Mr. Ducett made me a present of rivr Catts & Some Herbs our french hands bring me eggs milk &c. &. to day The wind hard from the S. W. Two Keel Boats came up to this place to day from Kentucky

[Clark, May 18, 1804]

May the 18th Friday 1804 a fine morning, I had the loading in the Boat & perogue examined and changed So as the Bow of each may be heavyer laded than the Stern, Mr.

Lauremus who had been Sent by Cap Lewis to the Kickapoo Town on public business return'd and after a Short delay proceeded on to St Louis, I Sent George Drewyer with a Letter to Capt Lewis Two Keel Boats arrive from Kentucky to day loaded with whiskey Hats &c. &. the wind from the SW. Took equal alt.i.tudes with s.e.xetn Made it 9742' 37" MT.