Clark: September 1, 1806
The party traveled 52 miles downriver despite fog, headwinds, and severe mosquitoes. After passing the Quicurre (Niobrara) River, nine armed Indians signaled them to land. Suspecting they were hostile Tetons, Clark led 15 men to cover three hunters left behind when shots rang out, prepared to fight. The Indians turned out to be friendly Yanktons shooting at a floating keg. The groups smoked together, exchanged gifts of ribbons, corn, and leggings, and parted peacefully. The expedition camped opposite Calumet Bluffs, where they had councilled with the Yanktons exactly two years earlier.
Monday 1st of September 1806 Musquitors very troublesom last night, we set
out at the usial hour and had not proceeded on far before the fog became
So thick that we were oblige to come too and delay half an hour for the
fog to pass off which it did in Some measure and we again proceded on R.
Jo. Fields and Shannon landed on an Ponceras Island to try to kill Some
deer which was Seen on the beech and the Canoes all passed them at 9 A. M
we passed the enterance of River Quiequur which had the Same appearance it
had when we passed up water rapid and of a milky white Colour about two
miles below the Quicurre, 9 Indians ran down the bank and beckened to us
to land, they appeared to be a war party, and I took them to be Tetons and
paid no kind of attention to them further than an enquirey to what tribe
they belonged, they did not give me any answer, I prosume they did not
understand the man who Spoke to them as he Spoke but little of their
language. as one Canoe was yet behind we landed in an open Commanding
Situation out of Sight of the indians deturmined to delay untill they Came
up. about 15 minits after we had landed Several guns were fired by the
indians, which we expected was at the three men behind. I calld out 15 men
and ran up with a fill deturmination to Cover them if possible let the
number of the indians be what they might. Capt Lewis hobled up on the bank
and formed the remainder of the party in a Situation well calculated to
defend themselves and the Canoes &c. when I had proceeded to the point
about 250 yards I discovered the Canoe about 1 mile above & the
indians where we had left them. I then walked on the Sand beech and the
indians came down to meet me I gave them my hand and enquired of them what
they were Shooting at, they informed me that they were Shooting off their
guns at an old Keg which we had thrown out of one of the Canoes and was
floating down. those Indians informed me they were Yanktons, one of the
men with me knew one of the Indians to be the brother of young Durion’s
wife. finding those indians to be Yanktons I invited them down to the
boats to Smoke. when we arived at the Canoes they all eagerly Saluted the
Mandan Chief, and we all Set and Smoked Several pipes. I told them that we
took them to be a party of Tetons and the fireing I expected was at the
three men in the rear Canoe and I had went up with a full intention to
kill them all if they had been tetons & fired on the Canoe as we first
expected, but finding them Yanktons and good men we were glad to See them
and take them by the hand as faithfull Children who had opened their ears
to our Councils. one of them Spoke and Said that their nation had opened
their years, & done as we had directed them ever Since we gave the
Meadel to their great Chief, and Should Continue to do as we had told them
we enquired if any of their Chiefs had gone down with Mr. Durion, the
answered that their great Chief and many of their brave men had gone down,
that the white people had built a house near the Mahar village where they
traded. we tied a piec of ribon to each mans hair and gave them Some Corn
of which they appeared much pleased. The Mandan Cheif gave a par of
elegant Legins to the principal man of the indian party, which is an
indian fashion. the Canoe & 3 men haveing joined us we took our leave
of this party telling them to return to their band and listen to our
councils which we had before given to them. Their band of 80 Lodges were
on plum Creek a fiew miles to north. those nine men had five fusees and 4
bows & quivers of arrows. at 2 P.M. we came too on the upper point of
bon homme opposit the antient fortification and Sent out men to hunt on
each Side and on the island. and the canoes on each Side of the island to
receive any meat might be killed I walked on the N. E. main Shore found
the bottom rich and thickly covered with Peavine rich weed grass
interwoven in Such a manner with grape vines that I could not get through
and was obliged to assend a high plains the passing through which I also
found tiresom. the grass was nearly as high as my head and the musquitors
excessively bad. at the lower point of the Island all the Canoes &
hunters Came together. Labeech killed an Elk only the flesh of which was
brought on in the perogue. at this island we brought 2 years together or
on the 1st of Septr. 1804 we Encamped at the lower point of this Island.
after we all Came together we again proceeded on down to a large Sand bar
imediately opposit to the place were we met the Yanktons in Council at the
Calumet Bluffs and which place we left on the it of Septr. 1804. I
observed our old flag Staff or pole Standing as we left it. the musquitors
excessively troublesom untill about 10 P.M. when the S W wind became
Strong and blew the most of them off. we came 52 miles to day only with a
head wind. the Country on either Side are butifull and the plains much
richer below the Queiquer river than above that river.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Monday, 1st of September 1806. Mosquitoes were very troublesome last night. We set out at the usual hour and had not proceeded far before the fog became so thick that we were obliged to come to and delay half an hour for the fog to pass off, which it did in some measure, and we again proceeded on. R. Jo. Fields and Shannon landed on a Ponceras Island to try to kill some deer which were seen on the beach, and the canoes all passed them. At 9 A.M. we passed the entrance of River Quiequur (Niobrara), which had the same appearance it had when we passed up—water rapid and of a milky white color. About two miles below the Quicurre, 9 Indians ran down the bank and beckoned to us to land. They appeared to be a war party, and I took them to be Tetons and paid no kind of attention to them further than an inquiry as to what tribe they belonged. They did not give me any answer; I presume they did not understand the man who spoke to them, as he spoke but little of their language.
As one canoe was yet behind, we landed in an open commanding situation out of sight of the Indians, determined to delay until they came up. About 15 minutes after we had landed, several guns were fired by the Indians, which we expected was at the three men behind. I called out 15 men and ran up with a full determination to cover them if possible, let the number of the Indians be what they might. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) hobbled up on the bank and formed the remainder of the party in a situation well calculated to defend themselves and the canoes, etc. When I had proceeded to the point about 250 yards, I discovered the canoe about 1 mile above and the Indians where we had left them. I then walked on the sand beach, and the Indians came down to meet me. I gave them my hand and inquired of them what they were shooting at. They informed me that they were shooting off their guns at an old keg which we had thrown out of one of the canoes and was floating down.
Those Indians informed me they were Yanktons. One of the men with me knew one of the Indians to be the brother of young Durion's wife. Finding those Indians to be Yanktons, I invited them down to the boats to smoke. When we arrived at the canoes, they all eagerly saluted the Mandan Chief, and we all sat and smoked several pipes. I told them that we took them to be a party of Tetons, and the firing I expected was at the three men in the rear canoe, and I had gone up with a full intention to kill them all if they had been Tetons and fired on the canoe as we first expected; but finding them Yanktons and good men, we were glad to see them and take them by the hand as faithful children who had opened their ears to our councils. One of them spoke and said that their nation had opened their ears and done as we had directed them ever since we gave the medal to their great chief, and should continue to do as we had told them. We inquired if any of their chiefs had gone down with Mr. Durion. They answered that their great chief and many of their brave men had gone down, and that the white people had built a house near the Mahar village where they traded.
We tied a piece of ribbon to each man's hair and gave them some corn, with which they appeared much pleased. The Mandan Chief gave a pair of elegant leggings to the principal man of the Indian party, which is an Indian fashion. The canoe and 3 men having joined us, we took our leave of this party, telling them to return to their band and listen to our councils which we had before given to them. Their band of 80 lodges was on Plum Creek, a few miles to the north. Those nine men had five fusees and 4 bows and quivers of arrows.
At 2 P.M. we came to on the upper point of Bon Homme, opposite the ancient fortification, and sent out men to hunt on each side and on the island, and the canoes on each side of the island to receive any meat that might be killed. I walked on the N.E. main shore, found the bottom rich and thickly covered with peavine, rich weed, and grass interwoven in such a manner with grape vines that I could not get through, and was obliged to ascend a high plain, the passing through which I also found tiresome. The grass was nearly as high as my head, and the mosquitoes excessively bad. At the lower point of the island, all the canoes and hunters came together. Labeech killed an elk, only the flesh of which was brought on in the pirogue. At this island we bring 2 years together, or on the 1st of September 1804 we camped at the lower point of this island.
After we all came together, we again proceeded on down to a large sand bar immediately opposite to the place where we met the Yanktons in council at the Calumet Bluffs, and which place we left on the 1st of September 1804. I observed our old flag staff or pole standing as we left it. The mosquitoes were excessively troublesome until about 10 P.M., when the S.W. wind became strong and blew most of them off. We came 52 miles today, only, with a head wind. The country on either side is beautiful, and the plains much richer below the Queiquer river than above that river.
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