Clark: August 15, 1805

William Clark · Camp Fortunate / Shoshone contact

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): right shore of Beaverhead River at mouth Gallagher Creek, MT

August 15th Thursday 1805 a Cool windey morning wind from the S W we
proceeded on thro a ruged low mountain water rapid as usial passed a bold
running Stream which falls from the mountain on the Lard. Side at 4 miles,
also a bold running Stream 10 yards wide on the Stard Side 8 feet 3 In.
Deep at 6 miles, Willards Creek the bottoms narrow, the Clifs of a Dark
brown Stone Some limestone intermixedan Indian road passes on the
Lard Side latterly used. Took a Meridian altitude at the Comsnt. of the
Mountain with Octent 65° 47′ 0″. The Latd. 44° 0′ 48 1/10″ proceeded on
with great labour & fatigue to the Mouth of a Small run on the Lard.
Side

passed Several Spring runs, the men Complain much of their fatigue and
being repetiedly in the water which weakens them much perticularly as they
are obliged to live on pore Deer meet which has a Singular bitter taste. I
have no accounts of Capt Lewis Sence he Set out

In walking on Shore I Saw Several rattle Snakes and narrowly escaped at
two different times, as also the Squar when walking with her husband on
ShoreI killed a Buck nothing else killed to dayThis mountn.
I call rattle Snake mountain. not one tree on either Side to day