Clark: August 21, 1804
The expedition departed very early under a gentle southeast breeze, passing Willow Creek, a 170-foot bluff, Floyd's River, and the mouth of the Sioux River on the starboard side. Interpreter Pierre Dorion described the Sioux River as navigable for 70-80 leagues up to falls roughly 200 feet high, near a creek where tribes quarry the red pipestone—a place considered neutral ground among nations. They also passed a former Maha village site and camped on the left bank. Clouds threatened wind from the west. Clark noted a currant-like fruit. The two men sent with the horses had not yet rejoined the party.
21st August Tuesday we Set out verry early this morning under a Gentle
Breeze from the S. E Course S. 82° E 3 mes to the upper pt. of a Bluff on
the S. S. passed Willow Creek and Some rock below the mouth of the Seouex
river on the Starboard Side those Clifts are about 170 feet high, this
river heads with the St. peters and is navagable 75 Leagues (by the act.
of Mr. Durien) to a fall of near 200 for, 2 large & Som Small Pitchs
below the falls on the right a Creek corns in on which the red pipe Stone
is percured, & in the praries about, a place of Peace with all
nations.
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21st August Tuesday 1804 We Set out verry early this morning and proceeded
on under a gentle Breeze from the S. E. passed willow creek Small on the
S. S. below a Bluff of about 170 feet high and one 1/2 mes. above Floyds
river at 11/2 miles higher & above the Bluff passed the Soues River S.
S. this River is about the Size of Grand river and as Mr. Durrien our
Scones intptr. says “navagable to the falls 70 or 80 Leagues and above
these falls” Still further, those falls are 200 feet or there abouts &
has two princapal pitches, and heads with the St. peters passing the head
of the Demoien, on the right below the falls a Creek Coms in which passes
thro Clifts of red rock which the Indians make pipes of, and when the
different nations Meet at those queries all is piece, passed a place in a
Prarie on the L. S. where the Mahars had a Village formerly. the Countrey
above the Platt R has a great Similarity. Campd. on the L. Side. Clouds
appear to rise in the west & threten wind. I found a verry excellent
froot resembling the read Current, the Scrub on which it grows resembles
Privey & about the Common hight of a wild plumb-
The two men Sent with the horses has not joined us as yet
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
21st August, Tuesday. We set out very early this morning under a gentle breeze from the S.E. Course S. 82° E. 3 miles to the upper point of a bluff on the starboard side. Passed Willow Creek and some rock below the mouth of the Sioux River on the starboard side. Those cliffs are about 170 feet high. This river heads with the St. Peters and is navigable 75 leagues (by the account of Mr. Durien) to a fall of near 200 feet, with 2 large and some small pitches. Below the falls on the right, a creek comes in on which the red pipe stone is procured, and in the prairies about — a place of peace with all nations.
21st August, Tuesday, 1804. We set out very early this morning and proceeded on under a gentle breeze from the S.E. Passed Willow Creek (small) on the starboard side, below a bluff of about 170 feet high and 1 1/2 miles above Floyds River. At 1 1/2 miles higher, and above the bluff, passed the Sioux River on the starboard side. This river is about the size of Grand River, and as Mr. Durrien (Durion), our Sioux interpreter, says, "navigable to the falls 70 or 80 leagues, and above these falls" still further. Those falls are 200 feet or thereabouts and have two principal pitches, and head with the St. Peters, passing the head of the Des Moines. On the right below the falls, a creek comes in which passes through cliffs of red rock which the Indians make pipes of, and when the different nations meet at those quarries all is peace.
Passed a place in a prairie on the larboard side where the Mahars (Omahas) had a village formerly. The country above the Platte River has a great similarity. Camped on the larboard side. Clouds appear to rise in the west and threaten wind. I found a very excellent fruit resembling the red currant; the shrub on which it grows resembles privet and is about the common height of a wild plum.
The two men sent with the horses have not joined us as yet.
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