Fort Mandan, North Dakota — Patrick Gass: December 25, 1804
At Fort Mandan, the expedition celebrated Christmas Day with a swivel gun salute and small arms volley by the entire corps. Captain Clark distributed brandy, and the American flag was raised over the fort for the first time, marked by another round of drinks. The men cleared a room and danced jovially from morning until 8 p.m., interrupted by additional brandy and a dinner signal. Three Native wives of the interpreter watched but did not join. At the captains' request, no Native visitors came that day. The remainder of December passed peacefully.
charges of a swivel, and a round of small arms by the whole
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION 63
corps. Captain Clarke then presented to each man a glass of
brandy, and we hoisted the American flag in the garrison, and
its first waving in fort Mandan was celebrated with another
glass.— The men then cleared out one of the rooms and
commenced dancing. At 10 o’clock we had another glass of
brandy, and at 1 a gun was fired asa signal for dinner. At
half past 2 another gun was fired, as a notice to assemble at
the dance, which was continued in a jovial manner till 8 at
night; and without the presence of any females, except three
squaws, wives to our interpreter, who took no other part than
the amusement of looking on. None of the natives came
to the garrison this day; the commanding officers having
requested they should not, which was strictly attended to.
During the remainder of the month we lived in peace and
tranquility in the garrison, and were daily visited by the
natives.
64. GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
CHAP. VI.
UESDAY st Fan. 1805. Two shot were fired from the
swivel, followed by a round of small arms, to welcome
the New Year. Captain Lewis then gave each a glass of good
old whiskey; and a short time after another was given by
Captain Clarke.
About 11 o’clock one of the interpreters and half of our
people, went up, at the request of the natives, to the village,
to begin the dance; and were followed some time after by
Captain Clarke, and three more men. The day was warm and
pleasant. Captain Lewis in the afternoon issued another glass
of whiskey; and at night Captain Clarke and part of the men
returned from the village, the rest remained all night.
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charges of a swivel, and a round of small arms by the whole corps. Captain Clarke (Clark) then presented to each man a glass of brandy, and we hoisted the American flag in the garrison, and its first waving in Fort Mandan was celebrated with another glass. The men then cleared out one of the rooms and started dancing. At 10 o'clock we had another glass of brandy, and at 1 a gun was fired as a signal for dinner. At half past 2 another gun was fired, as a notice to assemble at the dance, which continued in a jovial manner till 8 at night; and without the presence of any females, except three squaws, wives to our interpreter, who took no other part than the amusement of looking on. None of the natives came to the garrison this day; the commanding officers having requested that they should not, which was strictly observed.
During the remainder of the month we lived in peace and tranquility in the garrison, and were visited daily by the natives.
CHAPTER VI.
Tuesday, 1st January 1805. Two shots were fired from the swivel, followed by a round of small arms, to welcome the New Year. Captain Lewis then gave each man a glass of good old whiskey; and a short time later another was given by Captain Clarke (Clark).
About 11 o'clock one of the interpreters and half of our people went up, at the request of the natives, to the village, to begin the dance; and were followed some time after by Captain Clarke (Clark) and three more men. The day was warm and pleasant. Captain Lewis in the afternoon issued another glass of whiskey; and at night Captain Clarke (Clark) and part of the men returned from the village, while the rest remained all night.
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