Three Forks of the Missouri — Patrick Gass: July 27, 1805
On a pleasant morning, the party traveled through a small mountain and reached the Three Forks of the Missouri, where three branches of nearly equal size, about 60 yards wide, converge in a beautiful valley. They found a note from Captain Clark indicating he had gone up the north branch searching for natives, but found none. The fatigued men encamped to rest for a day or two. Rain fell for three hours in the afternoon before the evening cleared. Hunters killed several deer. Captain Clark was unwell, having been so the previous night.
a pleasant morning; proceeded on, and at g o’clock got
through the small mountain. At the entrance of the valley, a
branch of the Missouri comes in on the south side, about 60
yards wide ; the current rapid but not very deep. Here we
took breakfast, and having proceeded on a mile, came to
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION © 117
another branch of the same size. There is very little differ-
ence in the size of the 3 branches. On the bank of the north
branch we found a note Captain Clarke had left informing us,
he was ahead and had gone up that branch. We went on to
the point, and, as the men were much fatigued, encamped in
order to rest a day or two. After we halted here, it began to
rain and continued three hours. About 12 o’clock Capt.
Clarke and his men came to our encampment, and told us
they had been up both branches a considerable distance, but
could discover none of the natives. There is a beautiful val-
ley at these forks; and a good deal of timber on the branches,
chiefly cotton-wood. Also currants, goose and service ber-
ries, and choak-cherries on the banks. The deer are plenty
too; some of the men went out and killed several to-day.
Capt. Clarke was very unwell and had been so all last night.
In the evening the weather became clear and we had a fine
night.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
A pleasant morning. We proceeded on, and at 9 o'clock got through the small mountain. At the entrance of the valley, a branch of the Missouri comes in on the south side, about 60 yards wide; the current rapid but not very deep. Here we took breakfast, and having proceeded on a mile, came to another branch of the same size. There is very little difference in the size of the three branches. On the bank of the north branch we found a note Captain Clarke (Captain Clark) had left informing us he was ahead and had gone up that branch. We went on to the point, and, as the men were much fatigued, camped in order to rest a day or two.
After we halted here, it began to rain and continued three hours. About 12 o'clock Capt. Clarke (Capt. Clark) and his men came to our encampment, and told us they had been up both branches a considerable distance, but could discover none of the natives. There is a beautiful valley at these forks; and a good deal of timber on the branches, chiefly cottonwood. Also currants, goose and serviceberries, and chokecherries on the banks. The deer are plentiful too; some of the men went out and killed several today. Capt. Clarke (Capt. Clark) was very unwell and had been so all last night. In the evening the weather became clear and we had a fine night.
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