John Ordway: August 20, 1804

Augt. Monday 20th pleasant, we Set of under a gentle Breeze from S. E. the Indians chiefs Set out to return to their village. Sgt. Floyd worse than he was yesterday we Sailed on verry well till noon when we came too on S. S. Sergt. Charles Floyd Expired directly after we halted a little past the middle of the day. he was laid out in the Best Manner possable. we proceeded on to the first hills N. S. there we dug the Grave on a handsome Sightly Round knob close to the Bank. we buried him with the honours of war. the usal Serrymony performed (by Capt. Lewis) as custommary in a Settlement, we put a red ceeder post, hughn & branded his name date &.C— we named those Bluffs Sergeant Charles Floyds Bluff. Distant from the Mouth of the Missouri 949½ miles by water, we then proceeded on a Short distance to a creek which we Call Floyds Creek. (came 15 or 18 mil. to day.) where we Camped N. S.

Source: Ordway’s manuscript, printed in Quaife, The Journals of Captain Meriwether Lewis and Sergeant John Ordway (Wisconsin Historical Society, 1916). Public domain.