Missouri River near Big Bend — John Ordway: September 23, 1804
The expedition set out early, passing a timbered bottom rich in grapes on the north side. Captain Clark, returning from shore, reported spotting a large fire on the prairie a few miles back. Large herds of buffalo were visible on the northern hills, and a favorable southeast wind sped travel past Smoke Creek and Elk Island. Toward evening, four Sioux appeared on the south sand beach; three swam to camp, reporting a nearby village with a grand chief. The captains gave them tobacco and ferried them back. Hunter R. Fields rejoined the party, having killed a female antelope.
eairly proceeded on. passed a large Bottom on N. S. covered with
Timber and Grapes &.C. R. Fields out to hunt. Cap* Clark
returned had Spied a large fire in the praries a fiew miles back on
S. Side, we Saw large gangs of Buffalow on the hills N.S. the
wind favourable from S.E. we passed a Creek on N.S. called
Smoke Creek.2 we passd Elk Island at the lower end of the long
reach. passd a Timbered bottom on N.S. & barron hills on S.S.
&.C. towards evening Saw 4 Indians on the Sand beach s.s.
we Camped on the N.S.3 & 3 of them Swam over to our camp,
they belonged to the Souix Nation, they Informed us that their
Camp was near where their was a Grand chief and a nomber of
their nation, the Cap13 Gave them Some Tobacco & We Set them
across, they returned to their Camp R. Fields joined us. had
killed a female Goat.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Early, proceeded on. Passed a large bottom on the north side, covered with timber and grapes, etc. R. Fields went out to hunt. Capt Clark (Capt. Clark) returned; he had spied a large fire in the prairies a few miles back on the south side. We saw large herds of buffalo on the hills on the north side. The wind was favorable from the southeast. We passed a creek on the north side called Smoke Creek. We passed Elk Island at the lower end of the long reach. Passed a timbered bottom on the north side and barren hills on the south side, etc.
Towards evening, saw 4 Indians on the sand beach on the south side. We camped on the north side, and 3 of them swam over to our camp. They belonged to the Sioux Nation. They informed us that their camp was nearby, where there was a grand chief and a number of their nation. The Captains gave them some tobacco and we set them across. They returned to their camp. R. Fields joined us; he had killed a female goat.
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