Fort Mandan, North Dakota — John Ordway: December 25, 1804
The expedition celebrated Christmas Day at their winter quarters with festivities and ceremony. The men marked daybreak by each firing a round, and the officers issued a ration of taffia (rum) to the party. They enjoyed the best food available and spent the day firing salutes, dancing, and frolicking. The local Native Americans had been asked to stay away, having been told it was an important ceremonial day. The merry celebration continued peacefully through the evening until nine o'clock.
break & each man fired one round, our officers Gave the party a
drink of Taffee. we had the Best to eat that could be had, &
continued firing dancing & frolicking dureing the whole day. the
Savages did not Trouble us as we had requested them not to come
as it was a Great medician day with us. we enjoyed a merry crist-
mas dureing the day & evening untill nine oClock — all in peace
& quietness.1
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
At daybreak each man fired one round. Our officers gave the party a drink of taffia. We had the best to eat that could be had, and continued firing, dancing, and frolicking during the whole day. The Indians did not trouble us, as we had requested them not to come, since it was a great medicine day with us. We enjoyed a merry Christmas during the day and evening until nine o'clock — all in peace and quietness.
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