Clark: September 15, 1806
The expedition set out early against a stiff headwind, spotting deer swimming the river. At 11 a.m. they passed the mouth of the low Kansas River, where Lewis and Clark climbed a hill they judged ideal for a fort, with commanding views of both rivers. The men gathered pawpaws, and the Field brothers and Shannon killed a large elk on an island. Unfavorable winds limited progress to 49 miles, camping above Hay Cabin Creek. Clark noted the absence of mosquitoes and the uncomfortable heat, which felt intense after two years in cooler northern latitudes.
Monday 15th of September 1806 we set out early with a Stiff Breeze a head
saw Several deer Swiming the river soon after we Set out. at 11 A.M.
passed the enterance of the Kanzas river which was very low, about a mile
below we landed and Capt Lewis and my Self assended a hill which appeared
to have a Commanding Situation for a fort, the Shore is bold and rocky
imediately at the foot of the hill, from the top of the hill you have a
perfect Command of the river, this hill fronts the Kanzas and has a view
of the Missouri a Short distance above that river. we landed one time only
to let the men geather Pappaws or the Custard apple of which this Country
abounds, and the men are very fond of. we discovered a Buck Elk on a Small
Island, and sent the 2 fields and Shannon in pursute of it they Soon Came
up with and killed the Elk, he was large and in fine order we had his
flesh Secured and divided. as the winds were unfabourable the greater part
of the day we only decended 49 Miles and encamped a Short distance Above
Hay Cabin Creek we are not tormented by the Musquetors in this lower
portion of the river, as we were above the river plat and as high up as
the Rochejhone and for a fiew miles up that river, and above its enterance
into the Missouri. we passd Some of the most Charming bottom lands to day
and the uplands by no means bad, all well timberd. the weather
disagreeably worm and if it was not for the constant winds which blow from
the S. and S E. we Should be almost Suficated Comeing out of a northern
Country open and Cool between the Latd. Of 46° and 49° North in which we
had been for nearly two years, rapidly decending into a woody Country in a
wormer Climate between the Latds. 38°& 39° North is probably the Cause
of our experiencing the heat much more Senceable than those who have
Continued within the parralel of Latitude.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Monday, 15th of September 1806. We set out early with a stiff breeze ahead. Saw several deer swimming the river soon after we set out. At 11 A.M. passed the entrance of the Kanzas (Kansas) River, which was very low. About a mile below, we landed, and Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and myself ascended a hill which appeared to have a commanding situation for a fort. The shore is bold and rocky immediately at the foot of the hill. From the top of the hill you have a perfect command of the river. This hill fronts the Kanzas and has a view of the Missouri a short distance above that river.
We landed one time only to let the men gather pawpaws, or the custard apple, of which this country abounds, and of which the men are very fond. We discovered a buck elk on a small island, and sent the two Fields brothers and Shannon in pursuit of it. They soon came up with and killed the elk. He was large and in fine order. We had his flesh secured and divided.
As the winds were unfavorable the greater part of the day, we only descended 49 miles and camped a short distance above Hay Cabin Creek. We are not tormented by the mosquitoes in this lower portion of the river, as we were above the River Platte and as high up as the Rochejhone (Yellowstone), and for a few miles up that river, and above its entrance into the Missouri. We passed some of the most charming bottom lands today, and the uplands by no means bad, all well timbered.
The weather is disagreeably warm, and if it were not for the constant winds which blow from the S. and S.E., we should be almost suffocated. Coming out of a northern country, open and cool, between the latitudes of 46° and 49° North, in which we had been for nearly two years, and rapidly descending into a wooded country in a warmer climate between the latitudes 38° and 39° North, is probably the cause of our experiencing the heat much more noticeably than those who have continued within the parallel of latitude.
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