Fort Mandan (winter) — Joseph Whitehouse: January 23, 1805

clear but verry cold for this month, we Set off about 7 oC &
proceeded on the Standing water was froze over in places, &
froze to our poles as we were working along, a white frost
last night, the Ground is covered with Snow, the wind rose
high from the west, we halted about one oC. at a bottom
cov’! with timber on the N. S. Cap! Clark who walked on
Shore Since morning came to us had killed an Elk near Some
men went & brought it in. one man went a Short distance
along the bank and Shot a beaver, we have Saw Great Sign
of beaver all day. the wind cold & high, we proceeded on
Saw a Great many buffaloe on the ridges & plains, the Snow
is all gone this evening, passed large bottoms & plains in the
course of the day but no high hills, passed a creek on the
S. S. Came 20 miles and Camped in a bottom on the N. S.
as we were a landing it being after dark Got the Irons broke
off the red perogue, which the rudder hung on. we passed a
creek towards evening on the N. S. which came in at a sand
bar. I forgot it.^