Teton Sioux confrontation near Pierre, SD — Joseph Whitehouse: September 26, 1804

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
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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.
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1804] WHITEHOUSE’S JOURNAL