Missouri River near Leavenworth area — Charles Floyd: July 3, 1804
The party set out early under a gentle southern breeze and found a stray horse on the south side that had been lost some time. Strong currents made progress difficult, and they covered ten miles before camping on miry ground. The next day, July 4th, they passed a bayou flowing from a large lake that had once been the riverbed. Joseph Fields was bitten on the foot by a snake, and bark was applied to treat the swelling. They named an unnamed 15-yard-wide creek Independence Creek in honor of the holiday, and dubbed the surrounding open prairie Joseph Fields' Snake Prairie. Captain Lewis walked onshore, and they camped at a beautiful prairie of hills and valleys.
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 lo miles Campt on the
South Side the Land is verry mirey
Wensday July 4′-* 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 4^” 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 Cap! 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
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Set out very early this morning under a gentle breeze from the south. Found a stray horse on the south side that had been lost for some time. Water very strong, so hard that we could hardly stem it. Came 10 miles. Camped on the south side. The land is very miry.
Wednesday, July 4th, 1804
Set out very early this morning. Passed the mouth of a bayou leading from a lake on the north side. This lake is large and was once the bed of the river; it reaches parallel for several miles. Came to on the south side to dine and rest a short time. A snake bit Jo. Fieldes (Joseph Fields) on the side of the foot, which swelled much; applied bark to cure it. Passed a creek on the south side about 15 yards wide, coming out of an extensive prairie. As the creek has no name and this day is the 4th of July, we name this Independance Creek (Independence Creek). Above this creek, the woodland is about 200 yards back. Behind these woods is an extensive prairie, open and high, which may be seen six or seven miles below. Saw a great number of goslings today, nearly grown. The last-mentioned prairie I call Jo. Fieldes Snake Prarie (Joseph Fields' Snake Prairie). Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) walked on shore. We camped at one of the most beautiful prairies I ever saw, open and beautifully divided with hills and valleys all presenting themselves.
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