Clark: September 2, 1806
On September 2, 1806, the expedition set out at the usual hour and passed the James River by 8 A.M., where Clark noted the remains of a structure likely built by trader McClellan during the winter of 1804-5. Strong headwinds from the southeast forced them to lay by most of the day. Clark took eight men inland to hunt, killing two cows for meat. They departed near sunset and camped on a sandbar to escape mosquitoes. Two turkeys were killed, amazing the Indians who had never seen them. Captain Lewis was healing quickly. They covered 22 miles.
Tuesday 2nd of September 1806 Set out at the usial hour passed the River
Jacque at 8 A.M. in the first bottom below on the N E. Side I observed the
remains of a house which had been built since we passed up, this most
probably was McClellins tradeing house with the Yanktons in the Winter of
1804 & 5 the wind was hard a head & continued to increas which
obliged us to lay by nearly all day. as our Store of meat, I took with me
8 men and prosued a Small Gang of Cows in the plains 3 miles and killed
two which was in very good order, had them butchered and each man took a
load as much as he Could Carry and returned to the Canoes, the wind Still
high and water rough we did not Set out untill near Sun Set we proceded to
a Sand bar a Short distance below the place we had Come too on account of
the wind and Encamped on a Sand bar, the woods being the harbor of the
Musquetors and the party without the means of Screaning themselves from
those tormenting insects. on the Sand bars the wind which generaly blows
moderately at night blows off those pests and we Sleep Soundly. The wind
Continued to blow hard from the Same point S. E untill 3 P. M I saw in my
walk to day Lynn and Slipery Elm. the plains are tolerably leavel on each
Side and very fertile. I saw 4 prarie fowls Common to the Illinois, those
are the highest up which have been Seen, white Oak is very Common also
white ash on the riveens and high bottoms. two turkys killed to day of
which the Indians very much admired being the first which they ever Saw.
Capt L. is mending fastwe made only 22 Miles to day.
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Tuesday 2nd of September 1806. Set out at the usual hour. Passed the River Jacque at 8 A.M. In the first bottom below on the N.E. side, I observed the remains of a house which had been built since we passed up. This most probably was McClellin's trading house with the Yanktons in the winter of 1804 & 5. The wind was hard ahead and continued to increase, which obliged us to lay by nearly all day.
As for our store of meat, I took with me 8 men and pursued a small gang of cows in the plains 3 miles and killed two which were in very good order. Had them butchered, and each man took a load as much as he could carry and returned to the canoes. The wind still high and water rough, we did not set out until near sunset. We proceeded to a sandbar a short distance below the place we had come to on account of the wind, and camped on a sandbar. The woods being the harbor of the mosquitoes, and the party without the means of screening themselves from those tormenting insects, on the sandbars the wind, which generally blows moderately at night, blows off those pests and we sleep soundly.
The wind continued to blow hard from the same point, S.E., until 3 P.M. I saw in my walk today linn and slippery elm. The plains are tolerably level on each side and very fertile. I saw 4 prairie fowls common to the Illinois; those are the highest up which have been seen. White oak is very common, also white ash on the ravines and high bottoms. Two turkeys killed today, which the Indians very much admired, being the first which they ever saw. Capt. L. (Capt. Lewis) is mending fast. We made only 22 miles today.
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