Missouri River near Soldier River — Charles Floyd: August 7, 1804
The expedition departed at 6 a.m. under clear skies and a northwest wind. Floyd recounted how Moses B. Reed had deserted on August 4th, using the excuse of retrieving a forgotten knife to slip away with his clothes, powder, and balls. On August 7th, four men were sent to recover him, likely heading toward the Oto town two days off. The party covered 16 miles and camped on the north side in wooded land near where Reed had fled.
Set out at 6 oclock A.m_ prossed on day Clear wind
from the North west on the 4″ 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 7™
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 Camp*
on the North Sid at Some Wood Land
Wendesday Aug’ 8% 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 Camp‘ on the N. Side the
Land is Low march Land that on the South is prarie Land
[ 24 ]
1804] FLOYD’S JOURNAL
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Set out at 6 o'clock A.M. Proceeded on. Day clear, wind from the northwest. On the 4th of this month one of our men by the name of Moses B. Reed went back to our camp where we had left in the morning, to get 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. Upon examining his knapsack we found that he had taken his clothes and all his powder and balls, and had hidden them out that night and had made that an excuse to desert from us without any just cause. We never minded the said man until the 7th. We sent 4 men after him. We expect he will make for the Otoe town as it is not more than 2 days' journey from where he ran away from us. Water good. Made 16 miles. Camped on the north side at some woodland.
Wednesday August 8th 1804
Set out this morning at the usual time. Day clear, wind from the N.W. Proceeded on. Passed the mouth of the Little Sioux River on the N. side. It is about 80 yards wide. This river is navigable for boats to go up it for some distance into the country and runs parallel with the Missouri. 2 miles above, on a sandbar, saw a great number of pelicans. Capt Clark (Capt. Clark) went out on the south side and Jo Collins killed one elk. Water bad. Made 12 miles. Camped on the N. side. The land is low marsh land; that on the south is prairie land.
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