Journal entry · August 30, 1804
Patrick Gass: August 30, 1804
Patrick Gass · Calumet Bluff, Nebraska · Thwaites Vol. Gass 1807 First Edition
The place today: Calumet Bluff, Nebraska
nine o’clock the Indians came over the river. Four of them,
who were musicians went backwards and forwards, through
and round our camp, singing and making a noise. After that
ceremony was over they all sat in council. Captain Lewis and
Captain Clarke made five of them chiefs, and gave them some
small presents. At dark Captain Lewis gave them a grained
deer skin to stretch over a half keg for a drum. When that
was ready they all assembled round some fires made for the
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION 25
purpose: two of them beat on the drum, and some of the
rest had little bags of undressed skins dried, with beads or
small pebbles in them, with which they make a noise. These
are their instruments of music. Ten or twelve acted as musi-
cians, while twenty or thirty young men and boys engaged in
the dance, which was continued during the night. No Squaws
made their appearance among this party.
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The NPS atlas for this night
right shore below Calumet Bluff, Gavins Point, NE
NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino) · Camp of August 28 to August 31, 1804
NPS sites within 5 miles of this camp
- Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at Gavins Point Dam (opens in a new tab) Visitor center/museum · 1.2 mi
- Mead Cultural Education Center (opens in a new tab) Visitor center/museum · 2.9 mi
- Missouri National Recreational River (opens in a new tab) Visitor center/museum · 3.7 mi
From the NPS Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Park Atlas, mirrored here on September 21, 2026. This copy is not authoritative; NPS remains the system of record. About the mirror
Terrain360 · the place today
Calumet Bluff, Nebraska in 360°
10 frames across 1.8 mi of the route around this location
Artwork
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