Clark: September 15, 1804
The party set out early and passed a creek where Shannon had survived on grapes while waiting for what he thought was their boat. At the mouth of the White River, Lewis and Clark briefly explored upstream, noting its swift current resembling the Missouri and a fine potential town site at its mouth. They detached Sergeant Gass and R. Fields to scout further up the river. After passing a cedar-covered island full of rabbits, they camped on the south side opposite a large creek. Clark killed an elk and a deer. The evening turned very cold with strong northwest winds and howling wolves.
September the 15th Satturday 1804 Set out early passed the Mouth of a
creek on the L S. where Shannon lived on grapes waiting for Mr. Clintens
boat Supposeing we had went on, Capt Lewis and my Self halted at the mouth
of White River & wend up a Short Crossed &, this river is about
400 yards, the water Confined within 150 yards, the Current regularly
Swift, much resembling the Missourie, Sand bars makeing out from the
points, Some Islands we Sent up two men to go up this river one Day and
Meet us to morrow we proceeded on passed a Small Island Covered with Ceder
timber, & great number of rabits, no game except rabits, and Camped on
the S. S. opposit a large Creek, on which there is more wood than usial on
Creeks in this quaterr this creek raised 14 feet last rain I Killed a Buck
elk & a Deer.
—
15th September Satturday 1804 Set out early passed the mo of the Creek,
and the mouth of White river; (1) Capt Lewis and my Self went up this
river a Short distance and Crossed, found that this differed verry much
from the Plat or que Courre, threw out but little Sand, about 300 yard
wide, the water confind within 150 yards, the current regular & Swift
much resemblig the Missourie, with Sand bars from the points a Sand Island
in the mouth, in the point is a butifull Situation for a Town 3 Gradual
assents, and a much Greater quantity of timber about the mouth of this
river than usial, we concluded to Send Some distance up this river
detached Sjt. Gass & R. Fields. we proceeded on passed a Small (2)
Island Covered with Ceeder on I Saw great numbers of Rabits & Grapes,
this Island is Small & Seperated from a large Sand Isd. at its upper
point by a narrow Channel, & is Situated nearest the L. Side. Camped
on the S. S. opposit the mouth of a large Creek on which there is more
timber than is usial on Creeks of this Size, this Creek raised 14 feet the
last rains. I killed a Buck Elk & Deer, this evening is verry Cold,
Great many wolves of Different Sorts howling about us. the wind is hard
from the N W this evening
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
September 15th, Saturday 1804. Set out early. Passed the mouth of a creek on the L.S. (larboard side) where Shannon lived on grapes waiting for Mr. Clinten's boat, supposing we had gone on. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and myself halted at the mouth of White River and went up a short distance and crossed. This river is about 400 yards wide, the water confined within 150 yards, the current regularly swift, much resembling the Missouri, with sand bars making out from the points, and some islands. We sent up two men to go up this river one day and meet us tomorrow. We proceeded on, passed a small island covered with cedar timber, with great numbers of rabbits. No game except rabbits, and camped on the S.S. (starboard side) opposite a large creek, on which there is more wood than usual on creeks in this quarter. This creek rose 14 feet in the last rain. I killed a buck elk and a deer.
15th September, Saturday 1804. Set out early. Passed the mouth of the creek, and the mouth of White River. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and myself went up this river a short distance and crossed. Found that this differed very much from the Platte or Quicourre, threw out but little sand, about 300 yards wide, the water confined within 150 yards, the current regular and swift, much resembling the Missouri, with sand bars from the points and a sand island in the mouth. In the point is a beautiful situation for a town, with three gradual ascents, and a much greater quantity of timber about the mouth of this river than usual. We concluded to send some distance up this river, detached Sjt. Gass (Sgt. Gass) and R. Fields. We proceeded on, passed a small island covered with cedar, on which I saw great numbers of rabbits and grapes. This island is small and separated from a large sand island at its upper point by a narrow channel, and is situated nearest the L. side. Camped on the S.S. opposite the mouth of a large creek on which there is more timber than is usual on creeks of this size. This creek rose 14 feet in the last rains. I killed a buck elk and a deer. This evening is very cold. Great many wolves of different sorts howling about us. The wind is hard from the N.W. this evening.
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