University of Virginia Library

Monday 9th.. Sept. 1805

a cloudy cold morning, wind from the N. W. we Set out
as usal, and proceeded on down the valley. Smooth pleasant
plains, large pitch pine timber along the River. no timber on
the plains but they are covred with grass and wild hysop. the
Soil poor. crossed Several branches on which is pine timber,
also, a little cotton timber &c. the Snow continues on the
Mount. each Side of the valley. about 11 oClock we halted at
a branch to dine one of the hunters had killed three geese
and a wood pecker. Capt. Clark killed 4 fessents or prarie
hens. we find wild or choke cherries along the branches. we
delayed about 2 hours and a half. then proceeded on down
the valley. passed through a large bottom covred with handsom
pitch pine timber, from that a pleasant plain the remainder
of this day. the afternoon pleasant, but the Snow Still continues
on the Mountains as usal. Came about [blank space
in MS.] Miles this day and Camped on a plain near a
creek which runs in to the River about 2 ml. below. our
hunters all but one joined us had killed 3 Deer and Several
ducks this day &c. course N. W. and North all day.