Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 printed from the original manuscripts in the library of the American Philosophical Society and by direction of its committee on historical documents |
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| I. | Chapter I |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
|
 | The ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF
Private JOSEPH WHITEHOUSE1
1This journal consists of three distinct note-books, the largest 6 × 8 ½ inches in
dimensions, which are crudely stitched together within a cover consisting of an irregular
scrap of limp hide—possibly elk skin. The third and last book is incomplete,
for at least three leaves have been torn therefrom at the end; as the journal closes
with November 6, 1805, it is possible that the missing leaves carried the story forward
until the arrival at the mouth of the Columbia. It is of much value as a supplement
to the journals of the leaders of the expedition.
The manuscript has been carelessly handled, and is much stained and faded, as well
as frayed at the edges. While nearly all of the entries—which are mostly in the
hand of Whitehouse, but occasionally in those of other persons, including one entry
by Clark—are legible upon careful examination, we have found a few words undecipherable;
also small portions torn off at the edges—for these latter, we indicate
the conjectural reading in brackets. See also vol. i, pp. lv, lvi, ante.
For facility in comparison, we have divided the journal into chapters, according, so
far as is practicable, with Biddle's chaptering of the journals of Lewis and Clark.—Ed.
Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 |  |
The ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF
Private JOSEPH WHITEHOUSE[1]
Chapter I
FROM RIVER DUBOIS TO THE PLATTE
I. May 14–July 22, 1804
JOSEPH WHITEHOUSES Journal Commencing at
River deboise 14th.. May 1804. it being a Minute relation
of the various transactions and occurrences which took
place dureing a Voiage of [blank space in MS.] years from the
United States to the Pacific Ocean through the interior of the
conti[nent] of North America [*] under the directions of Capt.
Meriwether Lewis & Capt W[illiam] Clark, and patronised
by the Government of the U, States. The individuals who
composed the party engaged to essay the dificuelties, dangers
fatigues of this enterprise with the said officers; consists of
the persons whoes Names are here-unto anexed–Viz: George
Nath. Pryor, Charles Floyd & Patric Gass Sergts. John
Shi[elds,] William Bratten, John Colter, Hugh Hall, John
Collins, Joseph Field, Reuben Field, Silas Goodrich, Alexander
Willard, William Werner, John Potts, Thomas Procter
Howard, Peter Wiser, George Gibson, George Shannon, John
B. Thompson, Richard Windser, [Ro]bert Frazer, Hugh
Mc.. Neal, Peter Crusatt, Francis Labeech, & Joseph White[hou]se;
also Capt. Clarks Black Man York. At the Mandans
Tousant Shabono [MS. torn] Indian woman & child joined as
interpreter & interpretis to the Snake Indians. [*][2]
Monday 14th. May 1804.
hard Showers of rain. this being the day appointed by
Capt. Clark to set out, a number of the sitizens of Gotian
Settlement came to see us Start. we got in readiness. Capt.
Lewis is now at St. Louis but will join us at St. Charls. about
3 oclock P.M. Capt. Clark and the party consisting of three
Sergeants and 38 men who manned the Batteaux and 2
perogues. we fired our swivel on the bow hoisted Sail and
Set out in high Spirits for the western Expedition. we entered
the mouth of the Missourie haveing a fair wind Sailed abt. 6
miles and Camped on the North Side.
Tuesday 15th.. May 1804.
hard rain. we set out eairly. the current Swift, & water
muddy. passed Islands & Some inhabitants &c. the aftir
part of the day proved pleasant. we Camped on the North
Side.
[Wedne]sday 16th. May 1804.
a clear morning. Set out [eairly] and proceeded on verry
well. about 2 oClock P. M. [we ar]rived at St. Charls. and
passed the evening with a [gr]eat deal of Satisfaction, all chearful
and in good spirits. this place is an old french village
Situated on the North Side of the Missourie and are dressy
polite people and Roman Catholicks.
Thursday 17th.. May 1804.
a pleasant morning. we are waiting here the arival of Capt.
Lewis. the evening rainy.
Friday 18th.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we bought some acceseries &c. for the
voiage. passed the evening verry agreeable dancing with the
french ladies, &c.
Saturday 19th.. May 1804.
a rainy wet morning. Capt. Lewis and Some of the officers
from St. Louis arived here this afternoon. we made ready for
a Start &c.
Sunday 20th.. May 1804.
Several of the party went to church, which the french call
Mass, and Sore [saw] their way of performing &c.
Monday 21st.. May 1804.
Some rainy. we took on board Some more provision
bread &c. about 4 oclock P. M. we Set out from this place.
fired our bow peace and gave three cheers, and proceeded on
in good heart, about [blank space in MS.] miles and Camped
on the North Side. 2 frenchmon went back to the village.
two of our men Stayed at St. Charls in order to come on with
the horses
Tuesday 22nd.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we Set out eairly proceeded on verry well
passed canon Creek on the Stard. Side. Several Indians came
to us this evening. Gave us some venison.
Wednesday 23rd.. May 1804
a fair morning. we Set out 6 oClock A. m. and proceeded
on verry well. passed Some Inhabitants called boons Settlement.
passd. a noted [p]lace called cave tavern in a clift of
rocks on [the] South Side, which is 120 feet long 20 perpinticular
high [MS. illegible] us inspected our arms and
camped.
[Thu]rsday 24th.. May 1804
a fair morning. we set out eairly and proceeded on as usal
passd. timbred land on each Side current of the river Swift.
Camped on the South Side.
Friday 25th.. May 1804.
we Set out eairly passed a Smal river on the Stard. Side.
the Soil of this part of the country rich. towards evening we
arived at a french village called St. Johns, on the Stard. Side.
a boat came here loaded with fur & Skins—had been a long
destance up the River tradeing with the Savages &c. we
Camped near this Small village this is the last Settlement of
white people on this River.
Saturday 26th.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we Set out eairly some Thunder and
rain. towards evening. we passd. a creek called otter Creek
on the N. Side.
Sunday 27th.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we set out eairly. passed a creek called
ash Creek, on the N. Side high clifts on the South Side.
proceeded on in the afternoon we arived at the Mouth of
Gasganade River on South Side, and camped on an Island
opposite the mouth of Sd. River.
Monday 28th.. May 1804.
a pleasant morning. Several men out a hunting. the Latidude
at this place is 38°, 44′, 3.5–10ths. as I was a hunting
this day I came across a cave on the South Side or fork of a
River about 100 yards from the River. I went a 100 yards
under ground. had no light in my hand if I had, I should
have gone further their was a Small Spring in it. it is the
most remarkable cave I ever Saw, in my travels. I returnd. to
the River found the boad had gone on and had left the french
perogue for me. I called they came across for me, and went
to camp took dinner and procd on the barge had been gone
abt. 2 hours. we went about 2 miles and Camped for the
night.
Wendnesday 30th.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we set out eairly and proceeded on about
noon began to rain. we passed a creek on the S. Side called
rush creek. procd. on passed fine bottoms of timbered land on
each Side. passd. a River on N. Side called little muddy River,
and panther River on S. Side a large Island opposite the
mouth.
Thursday 31st.. May 1804.
a fair morning. we Set out as usal and proceed. on met a
perogue in which was a frenchman and 2 Indians on board.
their loading was beaver Skins and other peltry. high wind.
R. Fields killed a deer.
Friday 1st.. June 1804.
a pleasant morning. we Set out eairly and proceeded on
passed a River on the N. Side called big muddy, the bottoms
low. passd. a creek called beaver creek on the S. Side.
Saturday 2nd.. June 1804.
our officers lay by this day for observations. 4 men went
out a hunting. about 12 oC. they came in had killed 4 deer.
we now lay at the Grandosage River which comes in on the
South Side which is a handsome River 397 yards wide the
Missourie is at this place 875 yards wide. we fell Some trees
in the point to open a place for observations.
Sunday 3rd.. June 1804.
a fair morning. Several men out a hunting. our officers
takes observations &c.
Monday 4th.. June 1804.
a fair morning. we branded Several trees &c. in the
afternoon we Set out and proceeded about 4 miles and Camped
at the [mouth] of a creek on S. Side.
Tuesday 5th.. June 1804.
a fair morning. we Set out eairly and proceeded on passed
a creek on the South Side and Camped on the Same Side.
Wednesday 6th.. June 1804.
we Set out eairly. and proceeded on passed a creek called
led creek on S. Side. passed a creek on N. Side called little
good woman creek. the country is good Soil rich and well
timbred &c. Camped on the North Side.
Thursday 7th.. June 1804.
the hunters and Capt. Lewis went out to a buffaloe lick two
miles. Saw this Salt Spring, but no buffaloe. on N. E. Side
of the Missourie up the Monetuie [Manitou] river in a
timbred country. fine bottoms along each Side of the River,
underbrush thick.[3]
Killd. 3 Rattel Snakes of Different Sorts
at a large rock Close by the latter river after roed. 10 miles
Campd. at the Mouth of Creek namd. The Good woman N. E.
Side of the Missurie Our daily hunters met us there with
three Bears, One Old famel & her two Cubbs brought By
G. Drewyer
Whitehouse evidently secured the assistance of some of his fellow-travellers in keeping
this journal. In addition to the list of the party, inserted by Captain Clark, there
are three distinct handwritings in the first part of the MS. Whitehouse's own hand
we shall call No. 1. At this point begins the work of No. 2, which continues over 29
pages of the MS., or until July 20, 1804. The writing of No. 2 is less legible than
that of Whitehouse, and is distinguished by a peculiar arrangement of dates, etc.—Ed.
Friday—8th
Got on our way at the usal hour had strong Watter to
Goe throug the white pierogue had hard Crossing the River
to bring the Meat from the hunters, Druyer killd. 5 deer before
12 Oclock. met two Connooes loaded with furr from the
Zoue [Sioux] River neer the Mandens. Got to the Amens
[Mine] River at three Oclock but did not remain at it any
times Roed. 16 mile.
Satery. 9
Got ondur way at the usal hour Roed. 7 miles Stopd to
take dinner at the End of a large Island Above the Arrow
Prarie the distance from the latter to the River Charrotte
River is 14 miles the hunters did Not Come as the Storm
was Great the peirouge Could not Cross for them Roed 15
miles
Sundy 10
We got to the Charrotte River at 2 Oclock Waited the
Arrival of the hunters there Sufferd. by the Musquitoes on
the N. E. Side The Bigg Charrottoe is 100 Yds at the mouth.
The little comus in to it at the Distance of 300 Yds. apart
its. Brenth at the mouth is 50 Yds.. Broad Swem the horses
and ferried the men across had hard watter Campd. On the
Charrotte prarie Roed 13 Miles.
Monday 11th..
the wind blew so strong in the morning that the Commanding
Officer halted there that day Drewyer killd. two bears &
One buck there Halted.
Tusday 12
Left the Charrottoe Perarie and Saild. for the Grand River.
Met with 7 peirogues. Loaded with peltry for Captn Chatto
[Chouteau] in St. Louis Our men of Each Craft Exchangd
Blankets for Buffalow Robes & Mockisons Sent One of Our
Men Belonging to the white pierouge back that Belongd to
Captn Stodders[4]
Company of Artilery Incampd. within two
miles of the three point Island Roed 7 Miles that day.
Captain Amos Stoddard, U. S. commandant at St. Louis; his Louisiana has
several times been cited in these notes.—Ed.
Wendy.. 13th
Got On Our way at the three point Island Or the falling
Banks whare all hands Breakfasted belonging to the three
Crafts. On the oppisite Shore S. W. Side neer two or about
2 oclock the Barge Struck a Sandbar She keeld On her
labord the Sand being Quick Vanquishd Suddently from
Under her the Currant Being Rappid Neerly Swept the
men of[f] their legs while Bearing her up from Sinquing.
Got to the Grand River at three Oclock our hunters met us
there with a bear and Some Venison [*] this Venson is
nice (?)[*][5]
Incampd there Roed. 14 Miles.
Thurs.dy 14
Got under way at the Grand River Roed 3 miles and Got
in to a Byoe at the End of sd. Byoe Came to the main River.
the River Rose the wrack run Rappidly we had to S[t]rike
Streat Across the River and the boat with the Other Crafts
took the Sand bar with much dificuelty Got them of[f]
Got on through many Deficueltys. Roe 6 Miles. Incampd.
Neer the Willow praraie.
Friday 15
Got on our way at the willow prarie the wind S. E. fresh
We Crouded Sail and Saild. 16 miles Campd at the Indian
Settlement namd little Zoe [Sioux] prarie the hunters met us
with four bears And three deer the party drank a Drachm of
whisky and Roe on.
Saterdy 16th
Got on our way at the little town Zoe peraraie this perara
is Extencive from the Banks of the River Runs a Vast number
of miles from the River back the Wind Rose we Saild 10
Miles Got in Strong water In the Evening towed. the boat
by cutting the timber off the Banks Got on successfully
Campd. at the Riffel Island whare the water Rolld. over in
Quicksand.
Sunday 17th.
Got on Our [way] Roed. One Mile And Incampd. and
Made 20 Oars & 600 feet of Roup at the Roap Walk Camp.
Monday 18th.
In the fore noon thunder and litning Came On After a
Rapid Rain Got fair and finish Roaps & And Oars. the
hunters killd. four deer and Colter one large Bare On the west
Side of the River.
Tusday 19
Got on Our way at the Roap walk Camp perarie the day
Was Clear a Sharp wind Arose Saild. 12 Miles Campd. at
neer the River Taboe, it Running N. E. the Breadth of it at
The Mouth is 50 Yds. at the Mouth.
Wendy. 20th.
Rain came on as we was a goeing to start in the morning
Shortly After Got fair the hunters Came to the bank of the
River. the[y] killd. a bear brought the Skin left the Meat
as it was poor the Currant was Strong towed. Our boat
Untill we came to the head of the Strong watter Island whare
the watter run so rappid that the men of the french peirouge
Could. not make headway by Roeing Or poleing the[y] had
to jumpd. out and push her through the water Incampd On
the point of And Islanand Calld. Strong water point Roed 12
Miles
Thursday 21st
Got on our way at the Strong water Point the water was
Strong likeways had to towe the Cheif part of the day to the
3 Islands Calld. the 3 mills whare the water Runs Rapidly
Campd. at the head of them Roed. 12 Miles the hunters
Came in with One deer & one turky and a bear Skin
Friday 22nd
the Rain came on Rapidly in the morning Interupd. our
Starting at the usal hour the day cleard Up at 7 Oclock
the two latter days was the hotist that has been seen Or felt
a long time. the water was Strong with the heat of the day
which made the times disagreeble to the party. G. Drewyer
killd a large Male Bare weighd. Neer 5 hundred. Wt. Our
hunters Came in which had been Absent from the 19th Inst.
the[y] had part of One deer girkd. with them their names is
J. Sheilds & Collins Incampd. at the fire perarie Roed 12
Miles.
Saterdy. 23rd.
Got on Our way at the fire prarie at day light passd. the
River Calld. painter Creek the wind Arose and blew a head
of us Renderd our days Work mighty hard for the hands of
Each Craft Saild. Only 3 miles Incampd. at the head of a
Island namd painter Island the hunters came In with two
deer & one fish the[y] shot Captn. Clark Could not Get
kill 2 deers and one Bare befor Night which made four deer
and One bare Kill[ed] in all that day
Sunday 24
Got on Our way at and Crossd. the River to the west Shore
at 12 oclock we Stopd. to Girk our meat on account of the
weather being so warm, passd. the River Calld the Straw Hill,
On the west Side Runing N. E. by E high land On Each
Side of the River, N[o] Indians has Apeard On our Rout
Yet the hunters killd. 8 deer one of which from a board the
white peerouge on her way Roed. 13 Miles Incampd. at hard
Scrable perara
Monday 25
Got on our way at hard Scrable Perarie passd. two Creeks
the One Calld. la beane[6]
and the Other Rowling Creek, S. W.
S[ide] a little above the latter two wolves appeard On Shore
A man from on board of the white Peiroug went ashore Shot
One of them On the E side is high land and well timberd
the hills puts in neer the River. Roed 14 Miles. Incampd. on
a small Island. the hunters [blank space in MS.]
Clark (Codex A, p. 70) had this originally "La Benn Creek," but later
changed it to "Bennet's Creek."—Ed.
Tusday 26th
the morning was Clear the water was Strong at the head of
the Island we Campd. on Got to the E. Shore, and towed our
boat by Cutting the timber of[f] the Banks the day Got
mighty hot Saw 3 deer Swiming Down the River the white
peerogue took after them Killd. the three One of whom Sunk
as Soon [as] it Got shot in the head Got the other two
Brought them up to the Barge. G Druery killd. 8 deer that
day took them on board 2 miles before we Reachd. the River
de-Caugh [Kansas] at Sun Set Roed 10 Miles.
Wendy 27th
halted at the above mentioned River Nixt morning Cleard.
off the point And formd. a temperery brest work or piqet. Least
the Savages would Attempt. Comeing in the Night the Sd.
River de caugh as the[y] take the tittle from it I was Informd.
by one of our Men that traded Up the River that 300 Warriers
lives in One Village Up the River About 50 leagues.
Latd. 38D. 31M. 133. N this river lies in the head of it lies S. W.
Halted
Thursday 28
halted at the river de Caugh Meassurd. the Breadth of it is
230 ¼ Yds. a little farder is four hundred Do.
the hunters kill five deer one woolf and Catchd. an other
about five Months old Kept it for three days Cut its Rope
Got away.
Friday 29
Rested. Untill 4 Oclock p. M Started. on our journey Roed.
five 5 miles Campd. at woolf Creek.
Saterday 30
Got on our way at day light the water Was Strong the
land high on Each Side the deer was plentifull on the Sand
beech as we passd. along all sorts of fowls likeway the wolves
and Bears Every day Roed. 12 Miles.
July 1st. Sunday
the water was Strong all day passd. a Number of Islands to
the labourd Roed. 12 ¼ Miles the hunters did not Come up
to us that day.
Mondy. 2nd.
Got on Our way at Green Island at 4 Oclock P.M., the
water was Strong passd. a prarie on the west S. at Sd. place
Crossing the [river] at Sd. place the Boat Swong the [MS. torn]
Exerted them selves mighty well [MS. torn] Off halted. and
got a mast [MS. torn] the Barge Roed. 10 ½ Miles [MS.
torn] the head of Ordaways [MS. torn]
Tusday 3rd
Got on our way [MS. torn] Island oposite the [MS. torn]
Wind Rose Saild. [MS. torn] Lat 38, 31, 13 N.
Wendy. 4
Got on our way at Green point at the usal hour the wind
being favourable and the water being good Roed. on Successfully
the day mighty hot when we went to toe the Sand
[s]calded Our [feet] Some fled from the rope had to put on
Our Mockisons. within the River calld. Independance found
a Gray horse on the W. Side Roed. 16 Miles Incampd on a
perarie namd. Old town de Caugh
Thursdy. 5
Got on our way Roed. a mile up the prarie crossd. the River
with the white horse and left him with the others that the
hunters had on the E. Shore Roed. 10 Miles Incamped. at the
Rock prarie.
Fridy. 6
Got on on our way at the Usal hour at the Rock prarie
the water was tolarably Good. the land a little distance from
the River Hilly prarie. had Good Sailing Roed. 15 Miles
Campd. at a prarie calld the bald hills.
Saterdy. 7
Got under way about Sun Rise Six Miles from whare we
started. Came to the most beautifull prarie On the E. S. Whare
Nature formd. Some battryes And Readouts [redoubts] the
hills putts in Neer the River A quarter of mile to the N. E.
of Sd. prarie a rock on the Bank of the River about 320 feet
from the surface of the watter high to the top there off. after
passing Sd. place towards the Evening a man Espyd. a wolf lying
a sleep with the Noise of the oars Roeing he awoke Stood
to [k]no[w] what was a comeing Captn. Lewis shot at him
Wounded the animal, Colter likeways, killd. him it was
thought he was mad when the first Bawl Struck him he snapd.
at his hind part Roed. 15 Miles. Incampd.
Sunday 8th.
the wind Rose before we started. and blew fair with us
Saild Chiefly for the space of Eight hours we came to Small
River Calld. little Nan doughe, [Nadawa] In Indian tounge,
Inglish little woody River, it lieing in latude 39D, 39M, 22S 7/100
an Island to the S. S On on our W.S. a bear apeared but
Could. not be Shot Made his Alopement we Got to the River
Nandouie Roed 15 Miles Incampd. at the head of of a large
Island.
Monday 9
Sat out the Usal hour of Day light Rain Came On Raind
the Most part of the day the hunters did not come in We
rod 12 Miles at Piettet River de louce [loup] or Woolf River.
Incampd. it lies on the W. S. the Mouth is about 20 yds.
B [road]. the hunters Came did not come in.
Tusday 10
Got On Our way at woolf River at Sun Rise the water was
strong the Morning was Clear. On the E. S. of the River
whare [we] Stopd. to take breakfast the willd. Rice was pleanty
Groeing on the bank of the River, Straberyes, Rosies, Red
And White Roed. 11 Miles Campd. at the hunters Came in
brought 2 deer with them.
Wedndy.. 11
Got Under Way at an Early hour It appeard. like rain but
cleard up passd. Some Islands to the E. of us Got to
Grande-mo-haugh [Grand Nemaha] at Eleven Oclock Halted.
that day and Next. Roed. 4 ½ Miles.
Thursdy. 12
Rested. at the above mentiond place found a a pybold horse
on the E. S. the hunters Came in brought 4 deer with them.
Captn. Lewis took the altude as follows Latd. 39D. 55M. N.
Friday 13
Got under way Early and Swim the horses across a Creek
Tarkia, for the hunters the wind Rose pass Several Islands
Is On Our labourd. Saild. 27 Miles. Campd on the little
Sandy Isle Oppesite the Hurican[e] prarie.
Tusdy
the Rain Came on before we left Camp with a Smart wind
that Inragd. the watter to Such a degree that all hands had to
Get in the Watter to keep up the boat. Roed. on after the
Storm was Over 10 Miles.
Sundy. 15
the Morning was foggy had to wait Untill it went off Passd
the River namd. Nishnay Baton [a] at 3 Oclock passd. the
little Mohaugh Got to Camp on the Mohaugh prarie. Roed.
11 Miles
Monday 16
The morning was Clear the water strong the wind rose
had Good Sailing passd. a number of Islands to the labourd.
Seen Some Elk on the E. Shore as we passd. the prarie Roed.
20 Miles Campd. on the Mohaugh prarie
Tusdy 17
Halted on the latter mention prarie Neer the Bald. pated. hills
took an altitude of the meriedian Latd. 40., 29, 54 5/10 N
Go. Druier Brought in 3 deer in the Evening.
Wendy. 18
the Morning was Clear Got under way at day light the
wind blew fair saild 13 miles Before Dinner. passd. an Iron
oar Mine on the Bank of the River on the W. S. wint 22
Miles. the hunters brough[t] 2 deer in with them.
Thur.sdy 19th.
Got on under way the Morning was Clear passd. 4 Islands
To our Stabourd as we came along Shore there was two large
Cat fish had hold of Each other could not get off one of the
Butter run, the men pulld. a Great Quantity of wild Cherrys
put them in the Barrel of whisky. Roed 12 Miles Campd. on
an Island neer the River Calld. the Crying Water.
Friday 20
Got on our way at an Early hour Came up to the creek
calld. Crying water Breakfasted In the Mouth of it the
breanth there of is 20 Yds. at the mouth On the W. S. Under
baldhill. at[7]
one oCLock Came to a Large oPen preaarie
neare the River oPLate it [is] hie Land and Rich, and Some
groves of TimBer. a freash Bres of wind Come fare and we
SaLed we Came to [an] I Land cross under an[d] lest night
the hunt[ers] kiLed 2 deare Camp nere the Read Blufe
Road [rowed] 17 miLe.
At this point begins handwriting No. 3, very difficult to decipher. It extends
only over two pages of MS., and comprises the entries for the rest of July 20, and part
of July 21. The transcription is partly conjectural.—Ed.
Sartdaye 21
got on oer way at an [early hour] the wind Come fare we
Come 2 miLes and Eat oer Breakfast. the wind Seased BLoing
a reamark[able] hiLL tow hundrered foot hie from the
warter Come to the River opLate at one oCLock this River
On the west Side of the Mesury a fine preare [two words
illegible] on the mouths of the PLate with Beries on a very
Strong Streame it Baks the Mussiry over hie warter & Land
on the West Side and [an] I Land.
[8]
The wedth of the Great River Platt at its mouth across the
bars is about ¾ of a mile, but further up we are told by a
Frenchman who lived 2 years up this River that it does not rise
4 feet, but Spreads 3 miles in some places. we passed a creek
called pappeo [papillion] R. praries are between the 2 Rivers.
we camped on the S.S. G. Drewye joined us with 4 Deer he
killed.
Here begins handwriting No. 1, which extends over three pages of MS., and
comprises the entries to July 28, inclusive.—Ed.
Sunday July 22d. 1804.
we Set out eairly to find Some good place for observations
&c. For Incamping. we passd. a creek on the N. S. called Musquetoe
Creek. came 12 miles & camped. cut & cleaned a
place for encamping pitched our tents built bowereys &c—
This journal consists of three distinct note-books, the largest 6 × 8 ½ inches in
dimensions, which are crudely stitched together within a cover consisting of an irregular
scrap of limp hide—possibly elk skin. The third and last book is incomplete,
for at least three leaves have been torn therefrom at the end; as the journal closes
with November 6, 1805, it is possible that the missing leaves carried the story forward
until the arrival at the mouth of the Columbia. It is of much value as a supplement
to the journals of the leaders of the expedition.
The manuscript has been carelessly handled, and is much stained and faded, as well
as frayed at the edges. While nearly all of the entries—which are mostly in the
hand of Whitehouse, but occasionally in those of other persons, including one entry
by Clark—are legible upon careful examination, we have found a few words undecipherable;
also small portions torn off at the edges—for these latter, we indicate
the conjectural reading in brackets. See also vol. i, pp. lv, lvi, ante.
For facility in comparison, we have divided the journal into chapters, according, so
far as is practicable, with Biddle's chaptering of the journals of Lewis and Clark.—Ed.
| The ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF
Private JOSEPH WHITEHOUSE1
1This journal consists of three distinct note-books, the largest 6 × 8 ½ inches in
dimensions, which are crudely stitched together within a cover consisting of an irregular
scrap of limp hide—possibly elk skin. The third and last book is incomplete,
for at least three leaves have been torn therefrom at the end; as the journal closes
with November 6, 1805, it is possible that the missing leaves carried the story forward
until the arrival at the mouth of the Columbia. It is of much value as a supplement
to the journals of the leaders of the expedition.
The manuscript has been carelessly handled, and is much stained and faded, as well
as frayed at the edges. While nearly all of the entries—which are mostly in the
hand of Whitehouse, but occasionally in those of other persons, including one entry
by Clark—are legible upon careful examination, we have found a few words undecipherable;
also small portions torn off at the edges—for these latter, we indicate
the conjectural reading in brackets. See also vol. i, pp. lv, lvi, ante.
For facility in comparison, we have divided the journal into chapters, according, so
far as is practicable, with Biddle's chaptering of the journals of Lewis and Clark.—Ed.
Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | |