Teton Sioux confrontation near Pierre, SD — Joseph Whitehouse: September 26, 1804
After an early start, the party traveled four miles along the south shore lined with Native people before reaching a Teton Sioux encampment where the band had arranged their lodges in a careful circle. Anchoring offshore, Captains Lewis and Clark took turns going ashore, where they were ceremonially carried on a buffalo robe to the grand chief's lodge, fed fat dog meat, and entertained by women dancing late into the night. Two chiefs returned with the officers to the boat for the night.
we Set off eairly proceeded on 4 miles all the way on the
S. Shore was covered with Savages. at 10 oClock we came to
where the whole band had formed a circle of their lodges &
pitched in the best order possable. we ankered out about 100
yards from Shore. Cap! Lewis the 4 chiefs & 4 or 5 men went
on Shore. the natives appeared peacable & kind. Capt Lewis
[ 63 ]
came on board & Cap! Clark went out. when the Indians Saw
the officers comming they Spread a buffaloe Robe on the
Ground and they Set down on it, then it was taken up by 4
warrie[r]s and carried to the Grand chiefs lodge. they killed
Several fat dogs which they call the best meat that ever was.
at night the women assembled and danced untill 11 oClock at
night. then our officers came on board and 2 chiefs with
them.
: Thursday 27% Sep! 1804.
we Stayed here this day. Cap! Lewis and Some of the party
went over to See the Indians Camps _ their lodges are about 80
in nomber and contain about 10 Souls Each, the most of them
women and children. the women are employed dressing buffa-
loe hides for to make themselves cloathing and to make their
lodges &c. they are or appear as yet to be the most freendly
people I ever Saw but they will Steal and plunder if they can
git an oppertunity. they are verry dirty the vessels they carry
their water in is the pouch of their game which they kill and in
the Same manner that they take them out of the animel. they
gave us different kinds of victules to eat. Some of it I never
Saw the like before. about 15 days ago they had a battle with
the Mahars. they killed 65 men and took 25 women prisoners.
they took the 65 of the Mahars sculps and had them hung on
Small poles, which ther women held in their hands when they
danced. we Saw them have one dance this evening. they
kept it up untill one oclock dancing round a fire about 80 of
them in nomber. they had drums and whistles for musick.
they danced war dances round the fire which was curious to us.
when we came on board an axedant happened by running the
perogue across the bow of the boat and broke our cable and
lost our anker all hands was raised and roed the barge to
Shore. the Savages ran down to know what was the matter.
we told them they Said that they came to our assistance we
thanked them for Showing their good will but kept on
our guard all night for fear they would turn our enimies
themselves.
[ 64 ]
1804] WHITEHOUSE’S JOURNAL
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
We set off early and proceeded on 4 miles. All the way along the south shore was covered with natives. At 10 o'clock we came to where the whole band had formed a circle of their lodges and pitched them in the best order possible. We anchored out about 100 yards from shore. Capt. Lewis, the 4 chiefs, and 4 or 5 men went on shore. The natives appeared peaceable and kind. Capt. Lewis came on board and Capt. Clark went out. When the Indians saw the officers coming, they spread a buffalo robe on the ground and they sat down on it. Then it was taken up by 4 warriors and carried to the grand chief's lodge. They killed several fat dogs, which they call the best meat that ever was. At night the women assembled and danced until 11 o'clock at night. Then our officers came on board, and 2 chiefs with them.
Thursday 27th Sept. 1804.
We stayed here this day. Capt. Lewis and some of the party went over to see the Indians' camps. Their lodges are about 80 in number and contain about 10 souls each, the most of them women and children. The women are employed dressing buffalo hides to make themselves clothing and to make their lodges, etc. They are, or appear as yet to be, the most friendly people I ever saw, but they will steal and plunder if they can get an opportunity. They are very dirty. The vessels they carry their water in are the pouch of the game which they kill, and in the same manner that they take them out of the animal. They gave us different kinds of victuals to eat. Some of it I never saw the like before. About 15 days ago they had a battle with the Mahars. They killed 65 men and took 25 women prisoners. They took the 65 of the Mahars' scalps and had them hung on small poles, which their women held in their hands when they danced. We saw them have one dance this evening. They kept it up until one o'clock, dancing round a fire, about 80 of them in number. They had drums and whistles for music. They danced war dances round the fire, which was curious to us. When we came on board, an accident happened by running the pirogue across the bow of the boat, and it broke our cable and we lost our anchor. All hands were raised and rowed the barge to shore. The natives ran down to know what was the matter. We told them, and they said that they came to our assistance. We thanked them for showing their good will but kept on our guard all night for fear they would turn our enemies themselves.
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