Clark: June 15, 1804
The expedition set out early but quickly struck a sawyer that nearly damaged the boat. They battled a fast-rising, swift river, got briefly stuck on a sand bar, and struggled through shifting sands so strong that sails, oars, and a tow rope were all needed to make headway along a crumbling bank. They camped opposite the abandoned villages of the Little Osage and Missouri tribes, noting the fertile plains where these nations once lived before being reduced by Sauk attacks and relocating. The hunters did not return that evening.
15 June Friday 1804, we Set out early proceeded on about 1 me. and the
Boat turned on a Sawyer which was near doeing her great damage, the river
is riseing fast & the water exceedingly Swift, passd. a bad Sand bar
on which we Stuck for a Short time this is Said to be the worst part of
the river and Camped opsd. the bend in which the Antient Villages of the
little Osarge & Missouries, the lower or first of those villagies (L.
Osages) is Situated in Butifull Plain at the foot of Some riseing land, in
front of their Viliges next the river is a butifull bottom Plain in which
they raised their Corn &c. back of the Village the high Prarie extends
back to the Osarge River, about 3 Ms. above & in view the Missouries
Nation resided under the protection of the Osarges, after their nation was
riducd by the Saukees below, thos built their Village in the Same low
Prarie and lived there many years, the war was So hot & both nations
becom So reduced that the Little Osage & a fiew of the Missoures moved
& built a village 5 ms near the Grand Osage, the rest of the Missoures
went and took protection under the Otteaus on Platt river
—
15th, June, Friday 1804 Set out early and had not proceeded far e’er we
wheeled on a Sawyer which was near injuring us Verry much, passed a plain
on the L. S. a Small Isd. in the midle the river riseing, water verry
Swift Passed a Creek on the L. S. passed between two Islands, a verry bad
place, Moveing Sands, we were nearly being Swallowed up by the roleing
Sands over which the Current was So Strong that we Could not Stem it with
our Sales under a Stiff breese in addition to our ores, we were Compelled
to pass under a bank which was falling in, and use the Toe rope
occasionally, Continued up pass two other Small Islands and Camped on the
S. S. Nearly opposit the Antient Village of the Little Osarges and below
the Antt. Village of the Missoures both Situations in view an within three
Ms. of each other, the Osage were Settled at the foot a hill in a butifell
Plain which extends back quite to the Osage River, in front of the Vilg.
Next to the river is an ellegent bottom Plain which extends Several miles
in length on the river in this low Prarie the Missouries lived after They
were reduced by the Saukees at Their Town Some Dists. below. The little
osage finding themselves much oppressed by the Saukees & other
nations, left this place & built a village 5 ms. from the Grand Osarge
Town about ____ years ago. a few of the Missoures accompanied them, the
remainder of that nation went to the Otteaus on the River Platt. The River
at this place is about 1 ms. wide our hunters did not Come in this evening
the river beginning to fall
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
15 June, Friday 1804. We set out early and proceeded on about 1 mile, when the boat turned on a sawyer which was near doing her great damage. The river is rising fast and the water exceedingly swift. Passed a bad sandbar on which we stuck for a short time. This is said to be the worst part of the river. Camped opposite the bend in which the ancient villages of the Little Osarge (Little Osage) and Missouries (Missouri) stand. The lower or first of those villages (Little Osages) is situated in a beautiful plain at the foot of some rising land. In front of their village, next the river, is a beautiful bottom plain in which they raised their corn, etc. Back of the village the high prairie extends back to the Osarge (Osage) River. About 3 miles above, and in view, the Missouries nation resided under the protection of the Osarges, after their nation was reduced by the Saukees (Sauks) below. They built their village in the same low prairie and lived there many years. The war was so hot and both nations became so reduced that the Little Osage and a few of the Missoures moved and built a village 5 miles near the Grand Osage. The rest of the Missoures went and took protection under the Otteaus (Otoes) on Platt (Platte) River.
15th June, Friday 1804. Set out early and had not proceeded far before we wheeled on a sawyer which was near injuring us very much. Passed a plain on the L. S. (larboard side), a small island in the middle, the river rising, water very swift. Passed a creek on the L. S. Passed between two islands, a very bad place, moving sands. We were nearly being swallowed up by the rolling sands, over which the current was so strong that we could not stem it with our sails under a stiff breeze in addition to our oars. We were compelled to pass under a bank which was falling in, and use the tow rope occasionally. Continued up, passed two other small islands, and camped on the S. S. (starboard side) nearly opposite the ancient village of the Little Osarges and below the ancient village of the Missoures, both situations in view and within three miles of each other. The Osage were settled at the foot of a hill in a beautiful plain which extends back quite to the Osage River. In front of the village, next to the river, is an elegant bottom plain which extends several miles in length on the river. In this low prairie the Missouries lived after they were reduced by the Saukees at their town some distance below. The Little Osage, finding themselves much oppressed by the Saukees and other nations, left this place and built a village 5 miles from the Grand Osarge town about ____ years ago. A few of the Missoures accompanied them; the remainder of that nation went to the Otteaus on the River Platt. The river at this place is about 1 mile wide. Our hunters did not come in this evening. The river is beginning to fall.
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