Clark: February 15, 1805
Late the previous night, men sent to retrieve meat returned reporting that around 105 Indians, believed to be Sioux, had attacked them about 24 miles below Fort Mandan, cutting horses from the sleighs and making off with two horses, two knives, and a broken gun. Captain Lewis set out at sunrise with 24 men and several armed Mandan allies to pursue the raiders. The chief Big White visited but noted most young hunters were away. The morning was fine but very cold at 16° below zero, and one man killed a large red fox.
15th Capt. Lewis with a party of men & 4 Indians went in pursute of
the Sioux, the Indians returned the next Day & informed me that the
Sioux had Burnt all my meat & Born home (they Saw me but was afraid to
attact me) Capt Lewis returned the 21st with 2400 l. of meat, haveing
Killed 36 Deer & 14 Elk, the Sioux burnt one of my meet houses; they
did not find the other
—
15th of February Friday 1805 at 10 oClock P M. last night the men that
dispatched yesterday for the meat, returned and informed us that as they
were on their march down at the distance of about 24 miles below the Fort
about 105 Indians which they took to be Souis rushed on them and Cut their
horses from the Slays, two of which they carried off in great hast, the
3rd horse was given up to the party by the intersetion of an Indian who
assumd Some authority on the accasion, probably more thro fear of himself
or Some of the Indians being killed by our men who were not disposed to be
Robed of all they had tamely, they also forced 2 of the mens knives &
a tamahawk, the man obliged them to return the tamahawk the knives they
ran off with G Drewyer Frasure, S Gutterage, & Newmon with a broken
Gun
we dispatched two men to inform the mandans, and if any of them chose to
pursue those robers, to come down in the morning, and join Capt Lewis who
intended to Set out with a party of men verry early, by 12 oClock the
Chief of the 2ed Village Big white Came down, and Soon after one other
Chief and Several menThe Chief observed that all the young men of
the 2 Villages were out hunting, and but verry fiew guns were left,Capt.
Lewis Set out at Sunrise with 24 men, to meet those Soues &c. Several
Indians accompanied him Some with Bows & arrows Some withe Spears
& Battle axes, a 2 with fuseesthe morning fine the Thermometer
Stood at 16° below 0, Nought, visited by 2 of the Big Bellies this
evening,one Chief of the Mandans returned from Capt Lewises Party
nearly blindthis Complaint is as I am infomd. Common at this Season
of the year and caused by the reflection of the Sun on the ice & Snow,
it is cured by jentilley Swetting the part affected by throweng Snow on a
hot Stone
verry Cold part of the nightone man Killed a verry large Red Fox to
day
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
15th: Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and a party of men with 4 Indians went in pursuit of the Sioux. The Indians returned the next day and informed me that the Sioux had burned all my meat and carried it home (they saw me but were afraid to attack me). Capt. Lewis returned on the 21st with 2,400 pounds of meat, having killed 36 deer and 14 elk. The Sioux burned one of my meat houses; they did not find the other.
15th of February, Friday 1805, at 10 o'clock P.M.: Last night the men who were dispatched yesterday for the meat returned and informed us that, as they were on their march down at a distance of about 24 miles below the Fort, about 105 Indians—whom they took to be Sioux (Souis)—rushed on them and cut their horses from the sleighs. Two of the horses they carried off in great haste; the third horse was given up to the party through the intercession of an Indian who assumed some authority on the occasion, probably more through fear that he himself or some of the Indians might be killed by our men, who were not disposed to be robbed of everything tamely. They also took 2 of the men's knives and a tomahawk. The men obliged them to return the tomahawk, but they ran off with the knives. The men involved were G. Drewyer (Drouillard), Frasure (Frazer), S. Gutterage (Goodrich), and Newmon (Newman), with a broken gun.
We dispatched two men to inform the Mandans, so that if any of them chose to pursue those robbers, they could come down in the morning and join Capt. Lewis, who intended to set out with a party of men very early. By 12 o'clock the chief of the 2nd Village, Big White, came down, and soon after one other chief and several men. The chief observed that all the young men of the 2 villages were out hunting, and very few guns were left. Capt. Lewis set out at sunrise with 24 men to meet those Sioux, etc. Several Indians accompanied him, some with bows and arrows, some with spears and battle-axes, and 2 with fusees (muskets). The morning was fine; the thermometer stood at 16° below 0. Visited by 2 of the Big Bellies this evening. One chief of the Mandans returned from Capt. Lewis's party nearly blind. This complaint, as I am informed, is common at this season of the year and is caused by the reflection of the sun on the ice and snow. It is cured by gently sweating the affected part by throwing snow on a hot stone.
Very cold part of the night. One man killed a very large red fox today.
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