Clark: July 22, 1804
The expedition set out very early on this cold, windy Sunday, traveling about 10 miles north-northwest from the Platte River to find a well-timbered spot suitable for taking astronomical observations. They passed Papillion (Butterfly) Creek and Mosquito Creek before camping on the south side opposite timbered hills on the larboard shore. Clark decided to stay 4-5 days to make observations, rest the men, dry wet provisions from the French pirogue, and send messengers to summon Oto chiefs for a council. Sentinels were posted, bowers built, and five or six deer were killed.
July 22nd Sunday Set out verry early with a view of getting Some timbered
land & a good Situation to take equil altitudes in time proceeded on
nearly a North 15° W 7 ms. to a pt. S. S. opposit Some high Lands on L. S.
above the upper point of a long willow Island in the middle of the river 6
Deer killed to Day we deturmined to Stay here 4 or 5 days to take &
make obsvts. & refresh our men also to Send Despatches back to
govementWind hard N. W. Cold
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22nd of July 1804 Completlly arranged our Camp, posted two Sentinals So as
to Completely guard the Camp, formd bowers for the min $cc. &. Course
from R Plate N 15° W. 10 Ms.
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July 22nd, Sunday 1804 Set out verry early with a view of Getting to Some
Situation above in time to take equal altitudes and take Observations, as
well as one Calculated to make our party Comfortabl in a Situation where
they Could recive the benifit of a Shadepassed a large Sand bar
opposit a Small river on the L. S. at 3 miles above Plate Called Papillion
or Butterfly Creek a Sand bar & an Willow Island opposit a Creek 9 ms.
above the Plate on the S. S. Called Mosquitos Creek Prarie on both Sides
of the river. Came too and formed a Camp on the S. S. above a Small Willow
Island, and opposit the first Hill which aproach the river on the L. S.
and covered with timbers of Oake Walnut Elm &c. &. This being a
good Situation and much nearer the Otteaus town than the Mouth of the
Platt, we concluded to delay at this place a fiew days and Send for Some
of the Chiefs of that nation to let them Know of the Change of Government,
The wishes of our Government to Cultivate friendship with them, the
Objects of our journy and to present them with a flag and Some Small
presents
Some of our Provisions in the French Perogue being wet it became necessary
to Dry them a fiew daysWind hard from N W. five Deer Killed to dayThe
river rise a little
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 22nd, Sunday. Set out very early with a view of getting some timbered land and a good situation to take equal altitudes in time. Proceeded on nearly a north 15° west 7 miles to a point on the south side opposite some high lands on the larboard side, above the upper point of a long willow island in the middle of the river. 6 deer killed today. We determined to stay here 4 or 5 days to take and make observations and refresh our men, also to send dispatches back to government. Wind hard from the northwest. Cold.
22nd of July 1804. Completely arranged our camp, posted two sentinels so as to completely guard the camp, formed bowers for the men, etc. Course from the River Platte north 15° west, 10 miles.
July 22nd, Sunday 1804. Set out very early with a view of getting to some situation above in time to take equal altitudes and take observations, as well as one calculated to make our party comfortable in a situation where they could receive the benefit of a shade. Passed a large sandbar opposite a small river on the larboard side at 3 miles above the Platte, called Papillion or Butterfly Creek. A sandbar and a willow island opposite a creek 9 miles above the Platte on the starboard side, called Mosquitos Creek. Prairie on both sides of the river. Came to and formed a camp on the starboard side above a small willow island, and opposite the first hill which approaches the river on the larboard side, covered with timbers of oak, walnut, elm, etc. This being a good situation, and much nearer the Otteaus (Otoes) town than the mouth of the Platte, we concluded to delay at this place a few days and send for some of the chiefs of that nation to let them know of the change of government, the wishes of our government to cultivate friendship with them, the objects of our journey, and to present them with a flag and some small presents.
Some of our provisions in the French pirogue being wet, it became necessary to dry them a few days. Wind hard from the northwest. Five deer killed today. The river rose a little.
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