Clark: May 23, 1804
The expedition set out early but lost an hour after running onto a submerged log. They passed the mouth of the Osage Woman's River, where a settlement of 30-40 families had gathered to see them, and picked up the Field brothers, who had been sent ahead to buy corn and butter. They stopped at a riverside cave known as the Tavern, covered in painted images and carved names, where Captain Lewis climbed the 300-foot cliff above and nearly fell, saving himself with his knife. They camped that evening, examined the men's arms, and Field killed a deer. One man was sick.
Wednesday May 23rd 8 Indians Kick. Came to Camp with meat we recved their
pesents of 3 Deer & gave them Whisky.
Set out early run on a log under water and Detained one hour proceeded on
the Same Course of last night, (2 miles) passed the mouth of a creek on
the Sbd. Side called Woman of Osage River about 30 yds. over, abounding in
fish, Stoped one hour where their was maney people assembled to See us,
halted at an endented part of a Rock which juted over the water, Called by
the french the tavern which is a Cave 40 yds. long with the river 4 feet
Deep & about 20 feet high, this is a place the Indians & french
Pay omage to, many names are wrote up on the rock Mine among others, at
one mile above this rock coms in a small Creek called Tavern Creek, abov
one other Small Creek, camped at 6 oClock (after expirencing great
dificuselty in passing Some Drifts) on the Stb Side, examined the mens
arms found all in good order except the Detachment of Solds in the PerogueR
Field Killed a Deer.
—
May 23rd Course of last night S 75 W Contined 2 miles to the Said point
St. Side passed the upper Point of the Island Thence S 52° W. 7 Miles to a
pt. on St. Sd. passing Tavern Island two Small Isd. in a bend to the St.
side the Mo. of Oge womans River at 1 m. the Cave Called the Tavern, Lbd
Side at 5 m. Situated in the Clifts, opposit a Small Island on the Stbd
Side (R. & Jo. Fields came in) with many people, passed the Tavern
Cave, Capt Lewis assended the hill which has peninsulis projecting in
raged points to the river, and was near falling from a Peninsulia hard
water all Day Saved himself by the assistance of his Knife, passed a Creek
15 yds. wide at 1 mile called Creek of the Tavern on the Lbd. Side, Camped
opposit the pt. which the Last Course was to. one man Sick.
—
May 23rd Wednesday 1804 We Set out early ran on a Log and detained one
hour, proceeded the Course of Last night 2 Miles to the mouth of a Creek
on the Stbd. Side Called Osage Womans R, about 30 yds. wide, opposit a
large Island and a Settlement. (on this Creek 30 or 40 famlys are Settled)
Crossed to the Settlemt. and took in R & Jo. Fields who had been Sent
to purchase Corn & Butter &c. many people Came to See us, we
passed a large Cave on the Lbd. Side about 120 feet wide 40 feet Deep
& 20 feet high many different immages are Painted on the Rock at this
place. the Inds & French pay omage. many hams are wrote on the rock,
Stoped about one mile above for Capt Lewis who had assended the Clifts
which is at the Said Cave 300 fee high, hanging over the Water, the water
excessively Swift to day, we incamped below a Small Isld. in the Meadle of
the river, Sent out two hunters, one Killed a Deer
This evening we examined the arms and amunition found those mens arms in
the perogue in bad order a fair evening Capt. Lewis near falling from the
Pencelia of rocks 300 feet, he caught at 20 foot.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday May 23rd. 8 Indians (Kickapoos) came to camp with meat. We received their present of 3 deer and gave them whiskey.
Set out early, ran onto a log under the water and were delayed one hour. Proceeded on the same course as last night, (2 miles) passed the mouth of a creek on the starboard side called Woman of Osage River, about 30 yards across, abounding in fish. Stopped one hour where there were many people assembled to see us. Halted at an indented part of a rock which jutted over the water, called by the French the Tavern, which is a cave 40 yards long along the river, 4 feet deep, and about 20 feet high. This is a place the Indians and French pay homage to. Many names are written on the rock, mine among others. At one mile above this rock comes in a small creek called Tavern Creek, and above that one other small creek. Camped at 6 o'clock (after experiencing great difficulty in passing some drifts) on the starboard side. Examined the men's arms and found all in good order except the detachment of soldiers in the pirogue. R. Field killed a deer.
May 23rd. Course of last night S 75 W continued 2 miles to the said point on the starboard side, passed the upper point of the island. Thence S 52° W, 7 miles to a point on the starboard side, passing Tavern Island and two small islands in a bend to the starboard side, the mouth of Osage Womans River at 1 mile, the cave called the Tavern on the larboard side at 5 miles, situated in the cliffs, opposite a small island on the starboard side (R. & Jo. Fields came in) with many people. Passed the Tavern Cave. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) ascended the hill, which has peninsulas projecting in ragged points to the river, and he nearly fell from a peninsula. Hard water all day. He saved himself by the assistance of his knife. Passed a creek 15 yards wide at 1 mile called Creek of the Tavern on the larboard side. Camped opposite the point which the last course was to. One man sick.
May 23rd Wednesday 1804. We set out early, ran onto a log and were detained one hour. Proceeded on the course of last night 2 miles to the mouth of a creek on the starboard side called Osage Womans R., about 30 yards wide, opposite a large island and a settlement. (On this creek 30 or 40 families are settled.) Crossed to the settlement and took in R. & Jo. Fields, who had been sent to purchase corn and butter, etc. Many people came to see us. We passed a large cave on the larboard side, about 120 feet wide, 40 feet deep, and 20 feet high. Many different images are painted on the rock at this place. The Indians and French pay homage there. Many names are written on the rock. Stopped about one mile above for Capt Lewis, who had ascended the cliffs at the said cave, 300 feet high, hanging over the water. The water was excessively swift today. We camped below a small island in the middle of the river. Sent out two hunters; one killed a deer.
This evening we examined the arms and ammunition and found those men's arms in the pirogue in bad order. A fair evening. Capt. Lewis came near falling from the peninsula of rocks 300 feet; he caught himself at 20 feet down.
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