Clark: December 8, 1804
On a brutally cold morning at -12°F with a northwest wind, Clark led 15 men, joined by Indians on horseback with arrows, on a buffalo hunt. The party killed eight buffalo and a deer, bringing in a cow and calf while leaving two men to guard another carcass from wolves. Returning to the fort, Clark saw vast herds moving into the river bottoms. Several men came back frostbitten, including his servant, and two were hurt slipping in the 6-10 inch snow. Two sun dogs appeared that day.
8th December Satturday 1804 a verry Cold morning, the Thermometer Stood at
12 d. below 0 which is 42 d. below the freesing point, wind from the N W I
with 15 men turned out Indians joined us on horseback, shot with arrows
rode along side of buffaloel and killed 8 buffalow & one Deer, one Cow
and Calf was brought in, two Cows which I killed at 7 miles Dst. I left 2
men to Skin & Keep off the wolves, and brought in one Cow & a
calf, in the evening on my return to the fort Saw great numbers of
Buffalow Comeing into the Bottoms on both Sides of the river This day
being Cold Several men returned a little frost bit; one of men with his
feet badly frost bit my Servents feet also frosted & his P-s a little,
I feel a little fatigued haveing run after the Buffalow all day in Snow
many Places 10 inches Deep, Generally 6 or 8, two men hurt their hips
verry much in Slipping downThe Indians kill great numbers of
Buffalow to day2 reflectings Suns to day
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
8th December, Saturday 1804. A very cold morning; the thermometer stood at 12 degrees below 0, which is 42 degrees below the freezing point. Wind from the NW. I went out with 15 men to hunt buffalo. Indians joined us on horseback, shooting with arrows; they rode alongside the buffalo and killed 8 buffalo and one deer. One cow and calf was brought in. Two cows which I killed at 7 miles distance — I left 2 men to skin them and keep off the wolves, and brought in one cow and a calf.
In the evening, on my return to the fort, I saw great numbers of buffalo coming into the bottoms on both sides of the river. This day being cold, several men returned a little frostbitten; one of the men had his feet badly frostbitten. My servant's feet were also frosted, and his p---s a little. I feel a little fatigued, having run after the buffalo all day in snow many places 10 inches deep, generally 6 or 8. Two men hurt their hips very much in slipping down. The Indians killed great numbers of buffalo today. 2 reflecting suns today.
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