University of Virginia Library

The Original Journal of Sergeant Charles Floyd

March 13–August 18, 1804

The ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF
Sergeant CHARLES FLOYD[1]

Chapter I

FROM RIVER DUBOIS TO THE PLATTE

I. May 14–July 22, 1804

[Inside of last cover.]

• CHAS. FLOYD Baught

• at River Debaus 13th March 1804

• Thomas M. Winn

• Thomas M

• Thamis Thomis

• Thomas M. Winn

• Elaxander Willard

• George Shannon

• William Leboach

• Lasuness

• Pall

• Jos Whitehouse

[Inside of front cover.]

Recd. of Monsier Pier Shierker [Chouteau]
5 Carrtts of tobacko at 3s/o d p r.
peece——[2]     $2.50
Mayse Corn & Dolce Due——0.50
$——

           

O Nail	2 Carrits	1 doll r	P. Gass.	G. for T.
Decemb	Newman 1 D°	50 Cents	Jos. Field.	G. for T.
8th	Shields    1 d°	50
1803
	Gibson    1 d°	50
		$2.50 Cents

March 13th 1804

Renued ouer Jouney began our voyage much feteged after
yestersday worke

A Journal commenced at River Dubois—

monday may 14th 1804

Showery day Capt Clark Set out at 3 oclock P m for the
western expidition the party consisted of 3 Serguntes and 38
working hands which maned the Batteow and two Perogues
we Sailed up the missouria 6 miles and encamped on the N.
side of the River

Tusday may 15th 1804

Rainey morni[n]g fair wind the Later part of the day
Sailed som and encamped on the N. side some Land Cleared
the Soil verry Rich.

wensday may 16th 1804

Set out eriley this morning plesent arrived at St Charles
at 2 oclock P m one Gun Fired a Grait nomber of Friench
peaple Came to see the Boat & this place is an old French
village & Roman Catholieck Some amerrican setled in the
Countrey around.

Thursday may 17th. 1804

a fair day but Rainey Night

Friday may 18th 1804

we Lay at St Charles

Saturday may 19th 1804

a Rainey day Capt Lewis Joined us

Sunday may 20th 1804

nothing worth Relating to day

monday 21th 1804

Left St Charles at 4 oclk. P m Showerey encamped on
the N Side of the River

Tusday may 22d 1804

Set out after a verry hard Rain and passed Bonnon [Bonhomme]
Creek on the South Side of the River came 15
miles encamped on the N. side of the river at Cliftes Some
Indianes Came to See us

wensday may the 23d 1804

we Set out at 6 oclock A m plesent day passed the wife
of Osoge River three miles and half we pased the tavern or
Cave a noted place on the South Side of the River 120 Long
20 feet in Debth 40 feet purpendickler on the South Side of
the River high Cliftes one mile to a Creek Called tavern
Creek and encamped on the South Side of the River our
armes and amunition Inspected

Thursday may 24th 1804

nothin Remarkble Nothing ocord this day encamped on
South Side

Friday may 25th 1804

Set out and Came 4 miles passed a Creek Called Wood
River on the South Side the Land is Good & handsom
the Soil Rich & high Banks encamped at a French village
Called St Johns this is the Last Setelment of whites on this
River

Saturday may 26th 1804

we Set out at 7 oclock A m 2 of our men was Sent with
the Horses by Land to meat us that night hard thunder and
Rain this morning passed a creek Called otter Creek encamped
on the N Side

Sunday may 27th 1804

pased ash Creek on the South Side high Clifts on S Side
arrived at the mouth of the Gasganade River at 5 ock P. m on
the South Side encamped on an Island oppeset the mouth of
the River which is a handsom Situation high hiles on the Left
Side the Bottom is of Good quallity &c. armes and ammunition
Inspected.

monday may 28th 1804

rain Last night Severall men went out hunting &c. one of
them Killed a Deer

Tuesday may 29th 1804

Rain Last night Set out at 5 ock P m Came 3 miles
p[a]ssed Deer Creek on the S. Side encamped all Night Jest
above on the South Side on[e] man Lost hunting French
men Left for him

Wedsday 30th 1804

Set out 7 ock after a verry hard Rain and thunder it
Rained During the Gratist part of the day with hail passed
one Creek on the South Side Called Rush Creek the Land
is Low Bottom but Rich Soil 3 miles to River on the N Side
Colled Littel muddy River the Land is Some what Like the
Loer, it comes in opset an Isld 2 miles to River on the South
Side Colled painter River it Comes in opset to Isd. in the
midel of the missoura encamped South side at the mouth.

thursday may 31st 1804

one perogue Loaded with Bare Skins and Beav[er] and Deer
Skins from the osoge village one osoge woman with them
our hunters went out and Kild one Deer we Lay By all this
day on acount of the Wind the Land is Good but Broken
it Rained and Cleard up nothing worth Relating to day

Friday June 1t 1804

Set out come one mile past one River on the N Side called
Big mudy River comes in opset the Louer pint of willow Island
the Land is of Good quallity as aney I ever saw but Low two
miles to Bear Creek on the South Side High Hill on the Loer
Side it is about 30 yardes in weth at the mouth the day Clear
wind from the west water strong Came 12 miles past several
Islds encamped at [figure illegible] oclk at the mouth of the
Grann osoge River

Saterday June 2d. 1804

Lay By all this day for observations 4 men went out hunting
Killed 4 Deer the day was Clear wind from the South the
Land is of a Good quallity High hiles on the S. Side a good
Lick on the South S. Side it is about one mile and half from
the mouth of the Gran osoge Dow[n] the River a Butifull
pint Betwen the two Rivers hills in the pints in about a
mile Betwen the two the Second Bank is high at the mouth of
this River at the pint a Butifull Isd Jest Below the pint it
Lays in the midel of the Rivers our hunters Return how had
Ben with our horses 8 day and Say the country is as Good
as aney they ever saw armes inspected all in Good order
the missorea is 875 yardes wide osage River 397 yardes
wide we fell a nomber of trees at the pint for the porpas of
oberservations.

Sunday June 3d 1804

Set out at 4 oclock P m the for part of the day Clear the
Latter part Clouday with thunder and Rain wind from Est
Capt Lewis and G. Drureay went hunting Kild one Deer &
Grown hog 4 miles to River murrow on the South Saide it
is about 30 yardes wide and High Cliftes on the Loer Side of
it 3 hundered yardes up the River Cliftes encamped at the
mouth on the South Side ouer hunters Kild one Deer

monday June 4th

Set out Clear morning 2 miles By ouer Stersman Let the
Boat Run under a lim and Broke our mast off 3 miles past
a Creek on the South Side Called mast creek a Butifull a
peas of Land as ever I saw walnut shoger tree ash and mulber
trees Level land on both sides. this Creek is Clear watter
about 30 yardes wide one mile past a River on the N. Side
Called Sidder [Cedar] River the Land is Level and good
4 miles past Creek Called Zon Cer on the S. Sid at the Loer
pint of Isld on the same 3 miles to a pint on the N Sd Called
Batue De charr a prarie on the S Sid high Cliftes on the South
Side ouer hunters Kild 8 Deer Strong water came 10 miles
encamt on the South Side under the Cliftes

Tusday June 5th

fair day pased Lead Creek on South Side of the River.
Littel Good woman Creek on the N. Side Came 9 miles past
the Creek of the Big Rock 15 yads wide at a 11 oClock we
met 2 French in 2 conoes lashed together Loaded with peltry
&c they Came from 80 Leages up the Kensier [Kansas] River
whare they wintered water Strong past Severall Isd Came
15 miles encamped on the N. Side at the uper pint of Isd.
the land is Good well timberd well waterd ouer hunters Kild
one Deer

wensday June 6th 1804

Set out 6 oclock after ouer mast mended 4 miles past a
Creek on the N Side Called Rock Creek on the Loer Side
Blow Cliftes 3 miles past Sallin Creek on the South Side
Cliftes on the Loer Side Water good the fore part of the day
the Latter part Strong came 18 miles ouer hunters Kild one
Deer encampet on the N Side

Thursday 7th June 1804

Set out 5 oclock Came 2 miles past Som [s]pringe Comes
out of Clifts 2 miles past a Creerk on the N Side Called the
River of the Big Devil one mile past a rock on the N. Side
whare the pictures of the Devil and other things We Kild

3 Rattel Snakes at that Rock 5 miles to Creek on the N
Side Called Good woman Creek Strong watter past severall
Isd. George Druer Kild one Bar encampet at the mouth
the Land is Good well timberd &c.

Friday June 8th

Set out erley this morning the day Clear wind from the
west Came 5 miles past 2 Canoes Lasht to Gather Loaded
with Bever Skins otter Skins from the Littel River mean thay
ar 30 day coming from that place 5 miles past the mouth of
the Big River mine it is about 100 and 50 yardes wide a butifull
River on the South Side the Land is Good first Rate
Land well timberd this River is navagbl for Som hundreds
miles aperintley water Strong past Several Isd. Came 10
miles our hunters Kild 5 Deer encamped on the Loer pint
of an Island on the South Side of the River

Saturday June 9th 1804

Set out after a verry hard Rain Last night the morning
Clear wind from the Est Came 5 miles past the Praria of
arrows on the South Side half m. past the mouth of arrow
Creek on the South Side this Creek is 8 yads wide this is a
butifull Contry of Land the River at this place is 300 yads
wide the current Strong 3 mls past Black Bird Creek on the
N Side high Hills on the Loer Side the Latter part of the
day C[l]ouday with Rain maid 10 miles encampt on an Isd
in the middel of the River

Sunday June 10th 1804

we imbarked at the yousel ouer [usual hour] and proseded
on our Jorney 5 miles past a Creek Called Deer Lick Creek
on the N Side 10 yads wide the Land High

Delayed 1 ½ ouers three mls past the two Charlitons on the
N. Side those Rivers mouth near togeathe the first 70 yads
wide the Next 100 yads wide and navagable for Some Distance
in the Cuntry halted and Capt Lewis Killed a Buck the
Current is Strong a bout this place Came 12 miles past
Severall Isd. ouer hunters Killed 3 Deer incamped on the
South Side at a priara this priara is High and well waterd
&c ouer hunters Kilded nothing

monday June 11th 1804

Day Clear wind from the N. West Lay By all Day on
account of the wind the Latter part of the day Clouday
ouer hunters Kiled 2 Bar & 2 Deer

Tuesday June 12 1804

we Set out at the Usial ouer the day Clear wind from the
west Came 4 miles past a Creek on the S. Side Called Plumb
Creek a bout 20 yads wide the timber in this Bottoms is
Cotten wood 2 miles when we met 5 Cannoes from the Soux
nations Loaded with peltry and Greece thay have been 13
mounthes up the missorea River Delayed ½ day with the
French, Bought Some tallow of them ouer hunters Did not
Rettern Last night one French man hiard to go with us up
the missorea who can Speak the Difernt [languages] encamped
on the N. Side the Land Good Bottom

wensday June 13th 1804

Set out at 6 oclock and Came 1½ miles past a Creek on
the N. Side Calleded River missorea Just above the Creek
a Large Praria of Good Land on the N Side at this Praria
antient Missourue Indianes had a village at this place 300
of them were Killed by the Saukees in former times a fair
day past the Grand River on the N. Side the Land is Level
on Both Sides a handsom Prarie on the Loer Side of it water
Strong past Several Isd. Came 10 miles the Grand River is
about 200 and 50 yads wide and Boates Can Go for Som
hundreds of miles up it ouer hunters Killed yesterday and
to day 1 Bar, 2 Deer encampted at the mouth of the Grand
River on the N. Side of the River

Thursday June 14th 1804.

we Set out at the usuel ouer and proseded on our Jorney
day Clear water Strong Came 3 miles met 2 Conoes with
3 French men and one Negro [Mallatto] from the Poncye
Nations. they have ben up 3 years with the Indianes 2 of
them is half preades of the poncas. past a Creek on the N.

Side Called the Snake Creek it is about 25 yads wide a noted
place whare Indianes of Differnt nations Cross to Go to
ware they Say that thar is hundreds of Snakes at this place
ouer hunters killed one Deer encamped on the N Side of the
River the Land is good about hear the Chief of the timber
is Cotten wood.

Friday June 15th

we Set out at 5 oclock after much Feteaged of yesterdays
worke pased a Creek on the South Side Calleded Indian
Creek it is about 15 yards wide Good Level Land ouer hunters
Killed 4 Bars and 3 Deer Strong water encampt on the
N Side opset to antent old villag of Missures Indians but the
Saukies beng two trobelsom for them was forst to move and
take protections under the Gran ossags as they war Redused
Small handsom a prarie as ever eney man saw the river is
3 miles wide hear

Saurday June 16th

we Set out at 8 oclock day Clouday with rain nothing
Remarkeble to Day water verry Srong past one place whare
the water Roles over the Sand with grait fall and verry Dangeris
for Boats to pass past Severall Isld maid 10 miles
ouer hunters Did not Return Last night encamped on the
N Side of the River the Land is Good hear and well timberd

Sunday June 17th

we Renued our Journey much fetegeued of yesterdays work
Came one mil encamped for the purpos of maken ores for
ouer Boat and make a rope for the pursos of towen on the
North Side of the River ouer hunters Returned and Killed
on[e] Bar one Deer and found a Stray Horse who had Been
Lost for sometime nothing Remarkeble to day

Monday June 18th

Clouday with Rain and thunder and wind from the Est
the Land at this Bottom is Good Land the timber is Cotten
wood ouer hunters Killed one Bar 5 Deer nothing worth
Relating

Tusday June 19th

Set out at 8 oclock day Clouday wind from the Est Sailed
past a Creek on the South Side Calleded tabor Creek it is
about 40 yards wide and Clear water beLow High Hills
Good Land well timberd past Several Isds Strong water
Came 13 miles encamped on the South Side of the River
ouer hunters Did not Return Last night

Wensday June 20th 1804

Set out Clouday day Rain, Srong water past Several Isds
Came 12 miles ouer Hunters Did not Return Last night
encamped on an Isd in the middel of the River

Thursday June 21th

Set out at 7 oclock Clear day past 2 Creeks on the
South Side Callede Deubau [Du Beau, or Eau Beau] Creeks
thay com in opset the middel of Isd the water at this Isd is
verry Strong the Land is Good and well timberd on the
South Side the Land high that on the N. is Low Land the
timber is Cotton wood water Strong past Several Isds Came
9 miles ouer hunters killed one Deer encamped on the
South Side at the opper pint of Isd. the Land is Low that
on the N. is High Land.

Friday June 22

Set out at 7 oclock after a verry hard Storm [*][3] thunder
and Rain wind from the West, proceeded on under a gentle
Breeze from the N. W. passd [*] a Creek on the South
Side Calleded the Littel Fire Creek it Comes in opset the
middel of a Small Isd on the South Side Strong water Came
9 miles encamped on the Southe Side at a Prarie this Prarie
is Called Fire on the N. Side Comes in a Creek Calleded
the Big Fire Creek the Creek is about 50 yards wide and
High Land

Saturday June 23d

a Small Brese from the N. W Set out at 5. oclock day
Couday Came 3 miles Landed on acount of the wind from
the N. W. armes and amunition enspcted all in Good order
Capt Clark went hunting Did not Return Last night but
[he] Returnd erley in the morning Killed one Deer ouer
Hunter Killed one Bear 4 Deer. [*] we continued on this
Island all Day & night [*] they encamped on an Isd on the
N Side

Sunday June 24th 1804

Set out at 5 oclock A. m. wind from the N. E. Sailed Day
Clear passed a Creek on the South Side Called Hay Creek
it is about 40 yards wide Clear water Land High and Good
well timberd Delayed 2 ouers to Dry some meat Capt.
Lewis [*] & my self [*] went hunting Kild one Deer [*] &
a Turkey [*] passed a Creek on the North Side Called
Charriton Creek it is about 30 yards wide passed a Creek
on the Same Side Called the Creek of the Bad Rock it is
not far below the other it is about 15 yards wide the Land
is High and well timberd ouer Hununters Killed 8 Deer
water Good made 13 miles encamped on the South Side
the Land is Good first Rate Land, [*] On this pt. of the
River we observe feeding on the Banks & the adjasent Praries
imince Hurds of Deer, Bear is also plenty in the bottoms. [*]

Monday June 25th

we Set out at 8 oclock after the Fogue was Gon, [*] pass a
Coal Mine on the South Side above a Small Island, a Small
Creek below which takes its name from the bank of Coal, and
large Creek at about one Mile higher up the river on the Same
Side Called (un batteur La benne[4] River) [*] [†][5] passed
several small Islands on the South side, some hard water, &
camped on a small Island near the North Side Capt Lewis

killed a Rabit, R. Fields a Deer this eving our flanking party
did not join us this evening (my hand is painfull)

Tuesday June 26th

we set out early proceeded on passed a Island on the South
Side, back of this Island a large Creek coms in call'd Blue
Water Creek (River Le Bléue) The Hills or High lands on
the River which we passed last evening & this morning on
L. S. is higher than usial from 160, to 180 feet. [†] encampt
at the mouth of the Kansas River in the pint it comes in on
the Southe Side

wensday June 27th

Lay By all this day ouer Hunters Killed 5 Deer

Thursday June 28the

Lay By all that Day the Kansas River is 200 30 ¼ Yards
wide at the mouth the Land is Good on Booth Sides of thes
Rivers and well timberd well waterd

Friday June 29

Set out at Half past 4 oclock P. m. from the Kansas River
proseeded on passed a run on the South Side, at the mouth of
Kansas River armes and amunition enspected all in Good
order encampt on the N. Side Late in the evning

Saturday June 30th 1804

Set out verry early this morning Saw a wolf on the Sind
Bare passed the Littel River platte on the N. Side it is
about 100 yards wide Clear water High Land on the
Loer Side of it on this River it is Sayed that thare is a nom
ber of falls on it fitting for mills the land is Rolling campt on
the South Side the Land is Low that on the N is the same.

Sunday July 1th 1804

Set out Clear day passed Small Creek on the South Side
Called Biscuit C. High Land passed a Creek on the S. Side
Called Frog Tree Creek a Pond on the N S. Called the Same
name Good water made 12 ½ miles campt on an Isd near the
South Side ouer Flanken party Did not Join us Last evning.

Monday July 2d

Set out verry early this morning passed on the Left of the
Isd parque &c High butifule Situation on the South Side the
Land indifferent Lands a Creek Comes in on the N Side
called parkques Creek passed a creek on the N. Side called
Turkey Creek High Landes came 10 miles campt on the
N Side, on the South Side was a old French fort who had
setled hear to protect the Trade of this nation in the valley
the Kansas Had a village between tow pints of High Praria
Land a Handsom Situation for a town

Tuesday July 3d

Set out verry erley this morning under a Jentel Breas from
the South found a Stray Horse on the South Side how Had
Ben Lost for Som time water verry Strong So Hard that
we Could Hardley Stem it Came 10 miles Campt on the
South Side the Land is verry mirey

Wensday July 4th 1804

Set out verry erley this morning passed the mouth of a
Beyeu leading from a Lake on the N. Side this Lake is Large
and was once the Bead of the River it reaches Parrelel for
Several miles Came to on the South Side to Dine rest a
Short time a Snake Bit Jo. Fieldes on the Side of the foot
which Sweled much apply Barks to Coor [cure] and passed a
Creek on the South Side a bout 15 yards wide Coming out of
an extensive Prarie as the Creek has no name and this Day
is the 4th of July we name this Independance Creek above
this Creek the wood Land is about 200 yards Back of these
wood is an extensive Praria open and High whigh may be
Seen Six or Seven below saw Grat nomber of Goslins to day
nearley Grown the Last mentioned prairie I call Jo. Fieldes
Snake prarie Capt. Lewis walked on Shore we camped at one
of the Butifules Praries I ever Saw open and butifulley Divided
with Hills and vallies all presenting themselves

Thursday July 5th 1804

Set out errley this morning Swam ouer Stray Horse a Cross
the River to Join our other Horses prossed on for two miles

under the Bank of the old Kansas village formaley Stood in
1724 the couse of the Indians moving from this place I cant
Larn but natreley Concluded that war has reduced thair nation
and Compelled them to Retir further in to the Plaines with a
view of Defending themselves and to operserve their enemey
and to Defende them Selves on Horse Back encampt on the
South Side

Friday July 6th 1804

Set out prossed under a Jentell Brees from the South west
the water wase So [s]trong that we could Hardley Steem it
Came 12 miles encampt at the mouth of a Creek on the
South Side of the River Called Whipperwill Creek it is 15
yards wide

Saturday July 7th

Set out errley prosed along, passed some Strong water on
the South Side, which Compelled us to Draw up by the
Cord Clear morning verry warm Strong water Came 10
miles Camt on the N. Side

Sunday July 8th

Set out at Sun Rise Rain Last night with wind from the
E. passed some Good Land to day and High passed a Creek
on the N. Side it Cam in Back of Isla[n]d it is a Bout 70
Yards wide Called Nadawa Creek the Land is Good and
well timberd Camt on the N. Side

Monday July 9th 1804

Set out erley this morning prosed on passed a Small Creek
on the South Side Called monter Creek High Land Rain
to day Sailed the Gratist part of the day passed a prarie on
the South Side whare Seve[r]al French famileys had Setled and
made Corn Some Years ago Stayed two years the Indians
came Freckentley to See them and was verry frendley passed
a Creek on the South Side Called wolf Creek it is about 60

yards wide the Land is Good water Strong made 10 miles
encamt on the South Side Saw a fire on the N. Side thougt it
was ouer flanken partey Sent ouer perogue over for them and
when they got over Saw no fire Seposed it to be Indians fired
ouer Cannon for ouer men

Tuesday July 10th

Set out when we Could See, about us, when we Came to the
place it was ouer men which had Left us two days ago, much
feteged had Lay down and fell asleap passed a Small Creek
on the South Side Called pape Creek it Comes through
Bottom Land it is Called after a man who by drawning his
Gun out of the Boat Shot him Self passed Som Strong water
Campt on the North Side the Land is good

Wendesday July, 11th, 1804.

Set out errley this morning prosed on passed a Creek on
the N. Side Called Tarcio Creek it Comes in Back of a Isd on
the N. Side Came to about 12 oclock P. m for the porpos of
resting on[e] or two days the men is all Sick encamt on an
Isd, on the Southe Side floos in Creek Called Granma mohug
[Grand Nemahaw] Creek it is about 100 yards wide the
Land is good and well timberd High and well Waterd this
Creek Runs up and Heds near the River platt

Thursday July 12th

Som Hunters out on the No. Side those on the South Side
not Return Last night ouer object in Delaying hear is to tak
Some observations and rest the men who are much fategeued,
armes and amunition enspected all in Good order

Friday July 13th

Set out erley in the morning prosed on our Jorney passed a
Creek on the N. Side Called the Big Tarkuo River it is about
40 yads wide and verry mirey for Horses to Cross the Land
is Low a verry hard Storm Last night from the N. E. which

Lasted for about one ouer proseded with a Small S[h]ouer
of Rain wind fare Sailed all day Came 20 ½ miles Camt on
a Sand Bare in the midel of the River a Small Shouer of
Rain

Saturday July 14th 1804

Set out at day Lite Came one mile and ½ Came a
Dredfulle hard Storme from the South which Lasted for about
one ouer and half which Cosed us to Jump out and hold hir
She Shipt about 2 Barrels of water Came one mile the wind
fare Sailed, passed a Creek on the N Side Called Neeshba
Creek it is about 40 yards wide the Land is Low encamt
on the Southe Side

Sunday July 15th 1804

Set out at Six oclock A. m pased a Creek on the South Side
Called Plumb Run water verry Strong passed a Creek on
the South Side Called Nemahaw Creek it is about 30 yards
wide the Land is High and Good encamt on the South
Side.

Monday July 16th

we Set out verry early and prossed on the Side of a Prarie
the wind from the South Sailed ouer Boat Run on a Sawyer
Sailed all day made 20 miles passed Sevrall Isd Camt on
the North Side

Tuesday July 17th 1804

Lay by all this day for to kill Som fresh meat Capt. Lewis
& Go. Druger went out Hunting Drugher Killed 3 Deer
the Land is prarie Land the Blufs puts in about 2 miles from
the River and all prarie Land betwen which Runs up and
Down for Som distance from 20 to 30 miles

Wendesday July 18th 1804

we Set out at Sun Rise the day Clear wind fair Sailed the
Side of the Prarie Hear we toed for about 5 or 6 miles the

Elke Sine is [v]erry plenty Deer is not as plenty as it was
below passed Som High Clifts on the South Side Which hase
the apperence of Iron ore the Clay is Red passed a verry
Strong pace of Water. Saw a Dog on the Bank Which we
Sepose to be Indians had ben Lost this is the first Sine of
Indians we have Saw Camptd on the South Side the Land
is Low that on the N. Side is prarie Land

Thursday July 19th

we Set out errly this morning prosed on passed a Run on
the South Side Has no name we Called Cherry Run the
Land is High Cliefts and pore whare a Grate nomber of thos
Cherres thay Gro on Low Bushes about as High as a mans
hed Came 9 miles past Several Isd. water Strong Campt
on the South Side on a Small willow Isd. near the South Side
the Land on the N. is Low, Land that on the South is High
prarie Land

Friday July 20th

Set out at 6 oclock proseded on passed he mouth of a
Creek on the South Side Called Crys Creek it is about 35
yards wide it Comes in above Clifts oppset a willow Isd. at

this Clift thare is a fine Spring on the top of this Hill is
oppen prarie passed a Creek on the N. Side Called Piggen
Creek the Land is Low that on the South is High prarie
Land passed Several Bad Sand Bares Campt on the South
Side under a Large Hill

Satturday July 21th 1804

Set out at 4 oclock a m prossed on ouer Jouney Rain
this morning wind fair Sailed passed the mouth of the Grait
River Plate on the South Side it is much more Rappided
than the missorea it is about from one mile to 3 miles wide
the Sand Roles out and formes Large Sand Bares in the middel
of the missorea up the Plate about one mile the Hilles of
Prarie Land about 2 days and half up the Plate 2 nations

of Indians Lives vic The Souttoes the Ponney this River is
not navigable for Boats to Go up it passed a Creek Called
the [blank space in MS.] on the South Side it is about 20
yardes wide it Comes out of a Large Prarie Campt on the
South Side

Sunday July 22d

Set out verry erley this morning prossed [proceeded] on in
Hopes to find Some Wood Land near the mouth of this first
mentioned River but Could not we prossed on about 10
miles at Lenth found Som on Both Sides of the River
encampt on the North Side

Chapter II

FROM THE PLATTE TO OTO COUNCIL

II. July 23–August 18, 1804

monday July 23d 1804

WE Lay By for the porpos of Resting and take Som
observations at this place and to Send for Som
Indians Sent George Drougher and ouer Bowsman
wo is aquainted with the nations nothing worth Relating to
day

tuesday July 24th

we mad Larg and Long f[l]ags Staff and Histed it up
Histed ouer Collars [colors] in the morning for the Reseptions
of Indians who we expected Hear when the Rain and wind
Came So that we wase forst to take it down Sent Some of
ouer men out to Hunt Some ore timber for to make Some
ores as the timber of that Coind is verry [s]Carse up the
River Continued Showery all day

Wendesday July 25th..

Continued Hear as the Capts is not Don there Riting ouer
men Returnd whome we had Sent to the town and found non
of them at Home but Seen Some fresh Sine of them.

Thursday July 26th

ouer men fineshed the oares nothing worth Relating except
the wind was verry villant from the South Est

Friday July 27th

Swam ouer Horses over on to the South Side on acount of
the travilen is beter Set out at 12 oclock P. m prossed on
under a Jentell Brees from the South Este Sailed made 10
miles encamt on the South Side at Prarie

Satturday July 28th

Set out verry erley this morning prossed on passed a Creek
on the North Side Called Beaver Creek is about 20 yards
wide the Land is Low that on the South is Prarie Land Rain
the fore part of the day the Latter part Clear with wind from
the North Est. made 10 miles Campt on the N. Side the
Land is Low that on the South is High prarie Land ouer
flanken partey Came with one Indian thay found on the South
Side

Sunday July 29th

we Set out after we Dspashed the Indian and one of ouer
men with him to bring the Rest of his party the Reasen this
man Gives of His being with so small a party is that He Has
not Got Horses to Go in the Large praries after the Buflows
but Stayes about the Town and River to Hunte the Elke to
seporte thare famileys passed the mouth of Boyers River on
the N. Side it about 30 yards wide the Land is Low Bottom
Land out from the River is High Hills Campt on the
North Side at a prarie

monday July 30th

Set out verry erley this morning Cam 3 miles Sopt for the
man whome we Had Sent with the Indian yesterday He has
not Returnd Yet Sent 2 men out Hunting Did not Return
Last night Campt on the South Side at prarie

Tuesday July 31th 1804

we Lay By for to See the Indianes who we expect Hear to
See the Captains. I am verry Sick and Has ben for Somtime
but have Recoverd my helth again the Indianes have not
Come yet this place is Called Council Bluff 2 men went out
on the 30th of July and Lost ouer horses

Wendesday august 1th 1804

Lay by all this day expecting the Indianes every ouer Sent
George Drougher out to Hunt ouer Horses Sent one man
Down the River to whare we eat Diner on the 28th of July to
See if aney Indianes Had been thare He Returnd and Saw
no Sigen of them

Thursday auguste 2d

Ouer men hough we had Sent after ouer Horses Returnd
With them and Killed one Elke ouer men Killed 3 Deer to
day the Indianes Came whou we had expected thay fired
meney Guns when thay Came in Site of us and we ansered
them withe the Cannon thay Came in about 2 hundred yardes
of us Capt Lewis and Clark met them at Shakeing Handes
we fired another Cannon thare wase 6 Chiefs and 7 men and
one French man with them who has Lived with them for som
yeares and has a familey with them

Friday august 3dth

the Council was held and all partes was agreed the Captens
Give them meney presentes thes is the ottoe and the
Missouries the Missouries is a verry Small nathion the ottoes
is a verry Large nathion So thay Live in one village on the
Plate River after the Council was over we took ouer Leave
of them and embarked at 3 oclock P. m under a Jentell Brees
from the South Est Sailed made 6 miles Campt on the
South Side the Land Low, that on the N. prarie Land.

Satturday august 4th 1804

Set out erly this morning after the Rain was over it Rained
Last night with wind and thunder from the N. W. it Lasted
about an ouer prossed on the morning Clear passed a
Creek on the South Side as it has no name and the Council
was Held below it about 7 miles we Call it Council Creek or
Pond this Creek Comes out of a Large Pond which Lays
under the High prarie Hills the wood Land is not plenty
hear ondley along the River Banks in places, passed Som bad
Sand bares cnamt on the South Side a Large prarie that on
the N. is prarie Land

Sunday august 5th

Set out erley this morning Cam 2 miles when a verry hard
Storm of wind and Rain from the North Est it Lasted a
bout 2 ouers and Cleard up I have Remarked that I have
not heard much thunder in this Countrey Lightining is Common

as in other Countreys a verry Large Snake was killed
to day Called the Bull Snake his Colure Somthing Like a
Rattel Snake passed Severall Bad Sand bares made 16
miles Campt on the North Side at Som wood Land that on
the South is wood Land

monday August 6th 1804

we Set out at a erley ouer this morning prossed on passed
a Creek on the N. Side Called Soldiers Creek it Comes in
Back of a Isld near the N. S. about 12 oclock Last night a
villant Storm of wind and Rain from the N. W. Camt on
the South Side the Land is Low that on the N. S. the Saim

Tuesday August 7th

Set out at 6 oclock A. m prossed on day Clear wind
from the North west on the 4th of this month one of ouer
men by the name of Moses B. Reed went Back to ouer Camp
whare we had Left in the morning, to Git his Knife which
he Had Left at the Camp the Boat went on and He Did
not Return, that night nor the next day nor Night, pon
examining his nap-Sack we found that he had taken his Cloas
and all His powder and Balles, and had hid them out that
night and had made that an excuse to Desarte from us with out
aney Jest Case we never minded the Said man utill the 7th
we Sent 4 men after him we expect he will make for the
ottoe town as it is not mor than 2 days Jorney from whare
he Run away from us Water Good made 16 miles Campd
on the North Sid at Some Wood Land

Wendesday Augt. 8th 1804

Set out this morning at the usele time day Clear wind from
the N. W. prossed on passed the mouth of the Littel Soue
River on the N. Side it is about 80 yards wide this River
is navigable for Boates to Go up it for Som Distance in the
Cuntrey and Runes parelel with the Missourie 2 miles above
on a Sand Bare Saw Grait Nomber of Pelicans Capt Clark
went out on the South Side and Jo Collines Killed on [e]
Elke water Bad mad 12 miles Campd on the N. Side the
Land is Low march Land that on the South is prarie Land

Thursday augt the 9th

Set out at 7 oclock a, m, after the fague was Gon which
is verry thick in this Cuntrey Capt. Clark and my Self went
out on the South side passed a verry Bad place in the River
whare the water is verry Shellow mad 17 miles Campd. on
the South Side at prarie

Friday augt the 10th

Set out at errley ouer this morning prosed on passed a bad
Sand bare Which is verry Shallow made 23 miles Camped
on a sand bare on the N. Side the Land on the S.S. is High
Hilley Land

Satturday august 11th 1804

Set out after a verry hard Storm this morning of wind and
Rain continued untill 9 oclock A m. and Cleard up prosed
on passed a high Bluff whare the Kinge of the Mahas Died
about 4 yeares ago the Hill on which he is berred is about
300 feet High the nathion Goes 2 or 3 times a year to Cryes
over him Capt Lewis and Clark went up on the Hill to See
the Grave thay histed a flage on his Grave as noner [an
honor] for him which will pleas the Indianes, passed the
mouth of a Creek on the South Side Called Waie Con Di
Peeche or the Grait Sperit is Bad whare this Chief died and
about 300 Hundred of his men with the Small pox this
Chiefs name was the Black Bird made 15 miles Camped on
the North Side

Sunday august 12th 1804

Set out at the usel time prosed on under a Jentel Brees
from North Est Sailed day Clear passed Red Seeder
Bluffs on the South Side made 16 miles Camped on a
Sand bare in the middel of the River

Monday august 13th

Set out verry erley this morning prosed on under a Jentel
Brees from the South-Est Sailed morning Clouday about
10 o.ck. it Cleared up we aRived at the Mahas village about
2 oclock P m Sent Som of ouer men to Se if aney of the natives
was at Home thay Returnd found none of them at Home

Tuesday August 14th

Lay by for ouer men How we had Sent after the Desarter
on the 7th thes Indians has not Live at the town Sence the
Smallpoks was so bad abut 4 years ago thay Burnt thare
town and onley live about it in the winter and in the Spring
Go all of them in the praries after the Buflow and dos not
Return untill the fall to meet the french traders thay Rase
no Corn nor aney thing excep Som times thay Rase Som Corn
and then the Ottoe nation Comes and Cuts it Down while
thay are in the praries

Wendesday august 15th

Capt Clark and 10 of his men and my Self went to the
Mahas Creek a fishen and Caut 300 and 17 fish of Difernt
Coindes ouer men has not Returnd yet

Thursday august 16th

Capt Lewis and 12 of his men went to the Creek a fishen
Caut 709 fish Differnt Coindes

Friday august 17th

Continued Hear for ouer men thay did not Return Last
night

Satturday augt 18th

ouer men Returnd and Brot with them the man and Brot
with them the Grand Chief of the ottoes and 2 Loer ones and
6 youers [others?] of thare nattion[1]

[On last fly-leaf.]

• the 22thd June

• Charles Floyd

• Winser 22thd

• R. Field 22thd

• J. Field Gard for thompson 16th July

• Newman 4

• Gass Gard for thompson

• MCNeel

• thompson