Clark: October 25, 1804
On a cold morning with a southeast breeze, the expedition set out early and passed two abandoned Mandan villages on the south side, one deserted long ago and another vacated only six years earlier, both set on bluffs above fertile bottomlands. Curious Mandans frequently rode out to view the boats and called the party ashore to talk. The crew learned of recent killings involving the Sioux, Assiniboine, and a Frenchman. Strong shifting winds, sandbars, and a rocky riffle hampered travel. They camped on a sandbar and met visitors, including a chief's son missing two fingers as a mourning custom. Robert Fields and Pierre Cruzatte suffered from rheumatism.
25th of October Thursday 1804 a Cold morning Set out early under a gentle
Breeze from the S. E. by E proceeded on, passed (1) the 3rd old Village of
the Mandans which has been Desd. for many years, This village was Situated
on an eminance of about 40 foot above the water on the L. S. back for
Several miles is a butifull plain (2) at a Short distance above this old
village on a Continuation of the Same eminance was Situated the which have
been avacuated only Six years, above this village a large and extensive
bottom for Several miles in which the Squars raised ther Corn, but little
timber near the villages, on the S. S. below is a point of excellent
timber, and in the point Several miles above is fine timber, Several
parties of Mandins rode to the river on the S. S. to view us indeed they
are continuelly in Sight Satisying their Curiossities as to our apperance
&c. we are told that the Seaux has latterly fallen in with & Stole
the horses of the Big belley, on their way home they fell in with the
Ossiniboin who killed them and took the horsesa frenchman has
latterly been killed by the Indians on the Track to the tradeing
establishment on the Ossinebine R. in the North of this place (or British
fort) This frenchman has lived many years with the Mandinswe were
frequently called on to land & talk to parties of the Mandins on the
Shore, wind Shifted to the S. W at about 11 oClock and blew hard untill 3
OCk. clouded up river full of Sand bars & we are at a great loss to
find the Channel of the river, frequently run on the Sand bars which
Detain us much passed a verry bad riffle of rocks in the evining by
takeing the L. S. of a Sand bar and Camped on a Sand point on the S. S.
opposit a high hill on the L. S. Several Indians Come to See us this
evening, amongst others the Sun of the late great Cheif of the Mandins,
this man has his two little fingers off-; on inqureing the Cause, was told
it was Customary for this nation to Show their greaf by Some testimony of
pain, and that it was not uncommon for them to take off 2 Smaller fingers
of the hand and Some times more with ther marks of Savage effection
The wind blew verry hard this evening from the S. W. verry Cold
R. Fields with the rhumitim in his neck, P. Crusat with the Same Complaint
in his Legsthe party other wise is well, as to my Self I feel but
Slight Simptoms of that disorder at this time,
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
25th of October, Thursday, 1804. A cold morning. We set out early under a gentle breeze from the S.E. by E. and proceeded on. We passed (1) the 3rd old village of the Mandans, which has been deserted for many years. This village was situated on an eminence of about 40 feet above the water on the L.S. Back for several miles is a beautiful plain. (2) At a short distance above this old village, on a continuation of the same eminence, was situated the [village] which has been evacuated only six years. Above this village is a large and extensive bottom for several miles, in which the squaws raised their corn, but there is little timber near the villages. On the S.S. below is a point of excellent timber, and in the point several miles above is fine timber.
Several parties of Mandans rode to the river on the S.S. to view us; indeed, they are continually in sight, satisfying their curiosities as to our appearance, etc. We are told that the Sioux have lately fallen in with and stolen the horses of the Big Belly, and on their way home they fell in with the Assiniboine, who killed them and took the horses. A Frenchman has lately been killed by the Indians on the track to the trading establishment on the Assiniboine River, to the north of this place (or British fort). This Frenchman had lived many years with the Mandans.
We were frequently called on to land and talk to parties of the Mandans on the shore. The wind shifted to the S.W. at about 11 o'clock and blew hard until 3 o'clock. It clouded up. The river is full of sandbars, and we are at a great loss to find the channel of the river, frequently running onto the sandbars, which detain us much. We passed a very bad riffle of rocks in the evening by taking the L.S. of a sandbar, and camped on a sand point on the S.S. opposite a high hill on the L.S.
Several Indians came to see us this evening, among others the son of the late great chief of the Mandans. This man has his two little fingers off. On inquiring the cause, I was told it was customary for this nation to show their grief by some testimony of pain, and that it was not uncommon for them to take off the 2 smaller fingers of the hand, and sometimes more, with their marks of savage affection.
The wind blew very hard this evening from the S.W., very cold. R. Fields has the rheumatism in his neck, and P. Cruzatte (Cruzatte) has the same complaint in his legs. The party otherwise is well. As to myself, I feel but slight symptoms of that disorder at this time.
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