Lewis: July 6, 1806
Setting out shortly after sunrise, the party traveled east through a plain Lewis named the Prairie of the Knobs, crossing the north fork of the Cokahlarishkit River with some difficulty. They observed burrowing squirrels, goats, deer, and many bird species, and hunters killed several deer and a beaver. The trail of what they believed to be a returning Minnetare war party grew fresher, prompting heightened vigilance day and night. After dining and continuing through timbered river bottoms plagued by mosquitoes, they encamped near a creek beside the remains of 32 old lodges.
July 6th 1806. Set out a little after sunrise passed the creek a little
above our encampment.
East 14 M. to the point at which the river leaves the extensive plains and
enters the mountains these plains I called the prarie of the knobs from a
number of knobs being irregularly scattered through it. passed the N. fork
1 of the Cokahlarishkit Rivers at 7 M. it is 45 yds. wide deep and rapid.
had some difficulty in passing it. passed a large crooked pond at 4 ms.
further. great Number of the burrowing squirrls in this prarie of the
speceis common to the plains of Columbia. saw some goats and deer. the
hunters killed one of the latter. the trail which we take to be a
returning war-party of the Minnetares of Fort de prarie becomes much
fresher. they have a large pasel of horses. saw some Curloos, bee martains
woodpeckers plover robins, doves, ravens, hawks and a variety of sparrows
common to the plains also some ducks. the North fork is terbid as is also
the main branch which is about 50 yds. wide the other streams are clear.
these plains continue their course S 75 E. and are wide where the river
leaves them. up this valley and creek a road passes to Dearbourn’s river
and thence to the Missouri.
N. 60 E 11/2 up the river. here we halted and dine and our hunters
overtook us with a deer which they had killed. river bottoms narrow and
country thickly timbered. Cottonwood and pine grow intermixed in the river
bottoms musquitoes extreemely troublesome. we expect to meet with the
Minnetares and are therefore much on our guard both day and night. the
bois rague in blume.saw the common small blue flag and peppergrass.
the southern wood and two other speceis of shrub are common in the prarie
of knobs. preserved specemines of them. passed several old indian
encampments of brush lodges.-
S 80 E 2 m. to two nearly equal forks of the river here the road forks
also one leading up each branch these are the forks of which I presume the
indians made mention. passed a creek on N. side 12 yds. wide shallow and
clear.
N 75 E. 8 m. to our encampment of this evening over a steep high
Ms. 25 balld toped hill for 2 m. thence through and to the left of a large
low bottom 2 M. thence three miles through a thick wood along the hill
side bottoms narrow. thence 1 m. to our encampment on a large creek some
little distance above it’s mouth through a beatifull plain on the border
of which we passed the remains of 32 old lodges. they appear to be those
of the Minnetares as are all those we have seen today. killed five deer
and a beaver today. encamped on the creek much sign of beaver in this
extensive bottom.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 6th, 1806. Set out a little after sunrise and passed the creek a little above our campsite.
East 14 miles to the point at which the river leaves the extensive plains and enters the mountains. These plains I called the Prairie of the Knobs because of a number of knobs being irregularly scattered through it. Passed the North Fork of the Cokahlarishkit River at 7 miles; it is 45 yards wide, deep, and rapid. We had some difficulty crossing it. Passed a large crooked pond 4 miles further. There are great numbers of burrowing squirrels in this prairie, of the species common to the plains of the Columbia. Saw some goats (antelope) and deer. The hunters killed one of the latter. The trail, which we take to be that of a returning war party of the Minnetares of Fort de Prairie, becomes much fresher. They have a large herd of horses. Saw some curlews, bee martins, woodpeckers, plovers, robins, doves, ravens, hawks, and a variety of sparrows common to the plains, as well as some ducks. The North Fork is turbid, as is also the main branch, which is about 50 yards wide; the other streams are clear. These plains continue their course S 75 E and are wide where the river leaves them. Up this valley and creek a road passes to Dearborn's River, and from there to the Missouri.
N 60 E 1 1/2 miles up the river. Here we halted and dined, and our hunters overtook us with a deer they had killed. The river bottoms are narrow and the country thickly timbered. Cottonwood and pine grow intermixed in the river bottoms. Mosquitoes are extremely troublesome. We expect to meet with the Minnetares and are therefore much on our guard, both day and night. The bois rouge is in bloom. Saw the common small blue flag and peppergrass. The southernwood and two other species of shrub are common in the Prairie of the Knobs. Preserved specimens of them. Passed several old Indian camps of brush lodges.
S 80 E 2 miles to two nearly equal forks of the river. Here the road also forks, one branch leading up each fork. These are the forks of which I presume the Indians made mention. Passed a creek on the north side 12 yards wide, shallow and clear.
N 75 E 8 miles to our campsite of this evening, going over a steep, high, bald-topped hill for 2 miles, then through and to the left of a large low bottom for 2 miles, then three miles through a thick wood along the hillside with narrow bottoms, then 1 mile to our camp on a large creek a little distance above its mouth, through a beautiful plain on the border of which we passed the remains of 32 old lodges. They appear to be those of the Minnetares, as are all those we have seen today. Killed five deer and a beaver today. Camped on the creek. Much sign of beaver in this extensive bottom.
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