Fort Mandan, North Dakota — John Ordway: November 30, 1804

last night, about 9 oClock A.M. an Indian came to the opposite
Side of the River and called to come across, our Intrepter Spoke
to him [and] found he was come to bring news from the village
So we brought him across in a pearogue. he Informed us that a
party of the Souix nation had atcked a party of the Mandans.
they killed 1 man on each Side Several more wounded, but the
Souix Robbed the party of Manden of their horses 5 or 6 this
being done lately our officers thought it best to offer the Mandens
Some assistance if they were disposed to fight the Souix. So
Captain Clark, myself & 20 more of the party turned out volun-
tarely and crossed the River and marched through a bottom
covered with Small Timber, willows & all kinds of thick brush for
ab* 3 miles, flanking parties out each Side & a rear Guard.
I being on the left flank found it difficult getting through the
brush, we raised a Steep bank back of this bottom which brot
us on the level prarie, then turned our course & went to the
first village of the mandens, Cap* Clark told the H. chief what
we had come for, and if he would Send a war party from his
village & the Black cat another from his village we would go with
them & fight the Souix but the chief declined Sending any at
present for he Sd the Snow too deep &.C. So we delayed in the
village ab* 2 hours they appeared to be pleased at our comming
to their assistance & used us friendly, they would have us to
Eat in every lodge we went in &.C. we then Set off from the
village & crossed the river on the Ice [a] little above the vil.
but the River was Shet up for Some distance below, we then
returned down to our Garrison, our officers Gave each man a
drink of Taffe,1 which we Stood in need off.