Clark: June 2, 1804
At the confluence of the Missouri and Osage Rivers, Captain Lewis took astronomical observations of the sun and moon, while Clark measured the rivers' widths—875 yards for the Missouri and 397 yards for the Osage. Clark climbed a 100-foot hill at the point, finding two graves on top and enjoying a sweeping view of both rivers. At sunset, George Drewyer and John Shields rejoined the party after seven days traveling overland with the horses, having endured rain and swum many creeks. They reported promising country along the Missouri's north side. Hunters killed four deer.
June 2ndTook the Dirts. of Son & moon &c &c. I measured
the Osage & Missouris at this place made ther width as follows, the
Missoure 875 yd. wide The Osage R 397 yds. wide, the distance between the
2 rivers 80 poles up is 40 Ps. Took equal altitudes & Mredian altitude
also-and made them ____ I assended the hill in the point 80 ps. from the
pt. found it about 100 foot high, on the top is 2 graves, or mouns, a
Delightfull prospect from this hill which Comds. both rivers
Drewyer & Shields came to the opposit Side to day at SunSet we sent
across & brought them over, they had been absent 7 Days Swam many
creeks, much worsted. They informed us that the Countrey on both Sides of
muddy river’s to the hill called by the french ____ 3 ms. below this
place, a Small Praries below the hill, 4 Deer Killed to day I assend a
hill &. after measuring the river &c. &c. &c.
—
June 2nd Satturday Cap Lewis Took the Time & Distance of suns &
moons nearest limbs, the Sun Eastand Meridean altitude of Suns U.
L. with Octant, back observation gave for altitude 37° 28″00″.
Error of Octant 2° 00′ 00″ +. made Several other observationsI made
an angle for the Wedth of the two rivers. The Missourie from the Point to
the N. Side is 875 yards wide the Osage River from the point to the S. E
Side is 397 yards wide, the destance between the two rivers at the pt. of
high Land (ioo foot above the bottom) and 80 poles up the Missouries from
the point is 40 poles, on the top of this high land under which is a
limestone rock two Mouns or graves are raisedfrom this pt. which
Comds both rivers I had a delightful) prospect of the Missouries up &
down, also the Osage R. up. George Drewyer & John Shields who we had
Sent with the horses by Land on the N Side joined us this evening much
worsted, they being absent Seven Days depending on their gun, the greater
part of the time rain, they were obliged to raft or Swim many Creeks,
those men gave a flattering account of the Countrey Commencing below the
first hill on the N Side and extendg Parrelal with the river for 30 or 40
Ms. The Two Muddey river passing Thro & som fine Springs & Streams
our hunters kill Several Deer to day, Some Small licks on the S E of the
Osage River.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
June 2nd. Took the distances of the sun and moon, etc. I measured the Osage and Missouri rivers at this place and found their widths as follows: the Missouri 875 yards wide, the Osage River 397 yards wide. The distance between the two rivers, 80 poles up, is 40 poles. Took equal altitudes and meridian altitude also, and made them ____. I ascended the hill at the point, 80 poles from the point, and found it about 100 feet high. On top are 2 graves, or mounds. There is a delightful prospect from this hill, which commands both rivers.
Drewyer (Drouillard) and Shields came to the opposite side today at sunset. We sent across and brought them over. They had been absent 7 days, swam many creeks, and were much worn out. They informed us that the country on both sides of the Muddy Rivers to the hill called by the French ____, 3 miles below this place, has a small prairie below the hill. 4 deer killed today. I ascended a hill and, after measuring the river, etc., etc., etc.
June 2nd, Saturday. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) took the time and distance of the sun's and moon's nearest limbs, with the sun east, and the meridian altitude of the sun's upper limb with the octant. Back observation gave the altitude as 37° 28' 00". Error of octant 2° 00' 00" plus. He made several other observations. I made an angle for the width of the two rivers. The Missouri from the point to the north side is 875 yards wide; the Osage River from the point to the southeast side is 397 yards wide. The distance between the two rivers at the point of high land (100 feet above the bottom), 80 poles up the Missouri from the point, is 40 poles. On the top of this high land, under which is a limestone rock, two mounds or graves are raised. From this point, which commands both rivers, I had a delightful prospect of the Missouri up and down, and also the Osage River upstream.
George Drewyer (Drouillard) and John Shields, whom we had sent with the horses by land on the north side, rejoined us this evening much worn out. They had been absent seven days, depending on their guns, with rain the greater part of the time, and they were obliged to raft or swim many creeks. These men gave a flattering account of the country, beginning below the first hill on the north side and extending parallel with the river for 30 or 40 miles, with the two Muddy Rivers passing through and some fine springs and streams. Our hunters killed several deer today. Some small licks are on the southeast side of the Osage River.
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