Missouri River near Musselshell River — Joseph Whitehouse: May 25, 1805
On a clear, pleasant morning, the party waited until about 7 a.m. for two canoes to catch up before setting off. They passed several creeks, small islands, and a large timbered island, observing eagle nests, high bluffs, and hills dotted with pitch pine. After dining on a wooded island, Captain Clark and a companion rejoined the group, having shot two mountain sheep—the expedition's first—a ewe and a ram with large curving horns. The current was swift. They traveled 18 miles and camped on the south side. Hunter Gibson dislocated his shoulder but reset it.
a clear pleasant morning. we waited for the 2 canoes to
come up. about 7 oC. they came. then we Set off and pro-
ceeded on. passed 2 creeks on the N. S. and one large one on
the S.S.. passed 2 Small Islands before noon about 12 oC.
we passed a large handsom large Island covered with handsom
c. wood timber, near the N. S. Saw Several Eagles nests.
passed high bluffs & knobs and hills partly covred with pitch
pine timber on each Side of the R. the wind blew from the
N. W. about 3 oClock we halted to dine on a beautiful level
thin timbred Island near the N. S. of the River. Cap! Clark
and one man who walked on Shore joined us had killed two
Mountain Sheep, one a yew the other a ram. the ram had
large horns which turned back of a gradual taper, they have
the resemblence of our Sheep only fine brownish hair in Stead
of wool. they were poor and not as large as the natives repre-
sented, but these are the first we have killed. about 4 oC.
P. M. we proceeded on the current has been verry Swift for
Several days. we passed river hills as usal. passed Several
Creeks in the course of the day. Came 18 miles to day and
Camped on the S. S. little above a high handsom Island in the
river mostly prarie only a little large timber at the upper end
of it. Gibson one of the hunters putt one of his Shoulders out
of place to day but got it in again.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
A clear, pleasant morning. We waited for the 2 canoes to come up. About 7 o'clock they came. Then we set off and proceeded on. Passed 2 creeks on the north side and one large one on the south side. Passed 2 small islands before noon. About 12 o'clock we passed a large, handsome island covered with handsome cottonwood timber, near the north side. Saw several eagles' nests. Passed high bluffs and knobs and hills partly covered with pitch pine timber on each side of the river. The wind blew from the northwest.
About 3 o'clock we halted to dine on a beautiful, level, thinly timbered island near the north side of the river. Capt Clark (Capt. Clark) and one man who walked on shore joined us, having killed two mountain sheep, one a ewe and the other a ram. The ram had large horns which turned back in a gradual taper. They have the resemblance of our sheep, only with fine brownish hair instead of wool. They were poor and not as large as the natives represented, but these are the first we have killed.
About 4 o'clock P.M. we proceeded on. The current has been very swift for several days. We passed river hills as usual. Passed several creeks in the course of the day. Came 18 miles today and camped on the south side, a little above a high, handsome island in the river, mostly prairie with only a little large timber at the upper end of it. Gibson, one of the hunters, put one of his shoulders out of place today but got it in again.
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