Clark: June 9, 1805
On a fair, windy Sunday, the captains decided to cache powder, lead, provisions, and tools and leave one pirogue behind before ascending the South fork, which they judged more likely to be the correct route since it trended southwest while the North fork ran northwest, and they were already north of Fort Mandan. Captain Lewis felt unwell and took salts. Seven men dug the cache, others dressed skins for clothing, and the party danced and sang in the evening. Clark recorded a meridian altitude and lunar observations.
June 9th Sunday a fair morning the wind hard from the S. W. the river
during the night fell 1 Inch, we conclude to burry a few of our heavy
articles, Some Powder & Lead provisions & a fiw Tools, in case of
accident and leave one perogue at this place, and as Soon as those things
are accomplished to assend the South fork, which appears to be more in our
Course than the N. fork the Genl. Course of the South fork for 35 miles is
S. 29° W.that of the N. fork is N. 69° W. for 59 miles, and as we
are North of Fort mandan it is probable the most Southerley fork is the
best for us.Capt. Lewis a little unwell to day & take Salts
&c. Send out 7 men to make a cache or hole to burry the Stores, air
out Cloathes &c. &c. finish’d the cache or Seller &c. the men
all engaged dressing Skins for their clothes, in the evening the party
amused themselves danceing and Singing Songes in the most Social manner.
had a meridian altitude which gave 47° 24′ 29″ took some Luner
observations which gave for Longitude ____ variation 151/2° East
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
June 9th, Sunday. A fair morning, the wind blowing hard from the southwest. The river fell 1 inch during the night. We decided to bury a few of our heavy articles—some powder and lead, provisions, and a few tools—in case of accident, and to leave one pirogue at this place. As soon as those things are accomplished, we will ascend the south fork, which appears to be more in our course than the north fork. The general course of the south fork for 35 miles is S. 29° W., while that of the north fork is N. 69° W. for 59 miles. Since we are north of Fort Mandan, it is probable that the more southerly fork is the best for us.
Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) is a little unwell today and is taking salts, etc. We sent out 7 men to make a cache, or hole, to bury the stores, and to air out clothes, etc. Finished the cache or cellar, etc. The men are all engaged dressing skins for their clothes. In the evening, the party amused themselves dancing and singing songs in the most sociable manner. Had a meridian altitude which gave 47° 24' 29". Took some lunar observations which gave for longitude ____. Variation 15½° East.
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