Clark: July 4, 1806
On Independence Day 1806, Clark's party traveled about 30 miles south up the west side of Clark's River, crossing several deep, rapid creeks where horses were swept and gear soaked. Hunters brought in deer, and Clark spotted but missed a group of bighorn sheep. He noted tracks likely belonging to two Shoshone men. To mark the holiday, the group halted early for a dinner of venison and cows root mush. They camped at the West Fork, where scouts located a risky river ford.
Friday July 4th 1806 I order three hunters to Set out early this morning
to hunt & kill Some meat and by 7 A.M. we Collected our horses took
braekfast and Set out proceeded on up the Vally on the West Side of Clarks
river crossing three large deep and rapid Creeks, and two of a Smaller
Size to a Small branch in the Spurs of the mountain and dined. the last
Creek or river which we pass’d was So deep and the water So rapid that
Several of the horses were Sweped down Some distance and the Water run
over Several others which wet Several articles. after Crossing this little
river, I observed in the road the tracks of two men whome I prosume is of
the Shoshone nation. our hunters joined us with 2 deer in tolerable order.
on the Side of the Hill near the place we dined Saw a gange of Ibex or big
horn Animals I Shot at them running and missed. This being the day of the
decleration of Independence of the United States and a Day commonly
Scelebrated by my Country I had every disposition to Selebrate this day
and therefore halted early and partook of a Sumptious Dinner of a fat
Saddle of Venison and Mush of Cows (roots) after Dinner we proceeded on
about one mile to a very large Creek which we assended Some distance to
find a foard to cross in crossing this creek Several articles got wet, the
water was So Strong, alto the debth was not much above the horses belly,
the water passed over the backs and loads of the horses. those Creeks are
emensely rapid has great decnt the bottoms of the Creek as well as the low
lands on each Side is thickly covered with large Stone after passing this
Creek I inclined to the left and fell into the road on which we had passed
down last fall near the place we had dined on the 7th of Sept. and
continued on the road passing up on the W. Side of Clarks river 13 miles
to the West fork of Sd. river and Encamped on an arm of the same I Sent
out 2 men to hunt, and 3 in Serch of a foard to pass the river. at dark
they all returned and reported that they had found a place that the river
might be passed but with Some risque of the loads getting wet I order them
to get up their horses and accompany me to those places &c. our
hunters killed 4 deer to day. we made 30 ms. to day on a course nearly
South Vally from 8 to 10 mes. wide. contains a good portion of Pitch pine.
we passed three large deep rapid Creeks this after noon
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Friday July 4th 1806. I ordered three hunters to set out early this morning to hunt and kill some meat, and by 7 A.M. we collected our horses, took breakfast, and set out. We proceeded on up the valley on the west side of Clarks river, crossing three large, deep, and rapid creeks, and two of a smaller size, to a small branch in the spurs of the mountain, and dined. The last creek or river which we passed was so deep and the water so rapid that several of the horses were swept down some distance, and the water ran over several others, which wet several articles. After crossing this little river, I observed in the road the tracks of two men, whom I presume are of the Shoshone nation. Our hunters joined us with 2 deer in tolerable order. On the side of the hill near the place we dined saw a gang of Ibex or big horn animals; I shot at them running and missed.
This being the day of the declaration of Independence of the United States, and a day commonly celebrated by my country, I had every disposition to celebrate this day, and therefore halted early and partook of a sumptuous dinner of a fat saddle of venison and mush of cows (roots). After dinner we proceeded on about one mile to a very large creek, which we ascended some distance to find a ford to cross. In crossing this creek several articles got wet; the water was so strong, although the depth was not much above the horses' belly, that the water passed over the backs and loads of the horses. These creeks are immensely rapid and have great descent; the bottoms of the creek as well as the low lands on each side are thickly covered with large stone.
After passing this creek I inclined to the left and fell into the road on which we had passed down last fall, near the place we had dined on the 7th of September, and continued on the road passing up on the west side of Clarks river 13 miles to the west fork of said river, and camped on an arm of the same. I sent out 2 men to hunt, and 3 in search of a ford to pass the river. At dark they all returned and reported that they had found a place where the river might be passed, but with some risk of the loads getting wet. I ordered them to get up their horses and accompany me to those places, etc. Our hunters killed 4 deer today. We made 30 miles today on a course nearly south. Valley from 8 to 10 miles wide; contains a good portion of pitch pine. We passed three large, deep, rapid creeks this afternoon.
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