Missouri River near Niobrara River — Patrick Gass: September 3, 1804
The expedition traveled past yellow bluffs and Plumb Creek on the north side of the river, noting a sharp leftward bend before the river curved gradually back to the right along the southern hills. The landscape was treeless prairie on both sides, offering sweeping, unobstructed views from the hilltops. The hills bordering the river generally stood about two miles apart, with the river winding through them in many directions. The party made camp on the south side of the river that evening.
passed yellow bluffs on the north side and a small creek called
Plumb creek. Here the river turns at right angles to the left,
till it reaches the hills on the south side, then winds gradually
to the right. There is no timber in this part of the country;
but continued prairie on both sides of the river. A person by
going on one of the hills may have a view as far as the eye can
reach without any obstruction, or intervening object; and en-
joy the most delightful prospects. During this day’s voyage
we found the hills on the opposite sides of the river generally
not more than two miles apart, and the river meandering
* The description of this Breastwork corresponds exactly with the accounts given
of numerous ancient fortifications discovered in the Western Country, which are
known and represented to be generally of an oblong form, situate on strong and well
chosen ground, and contiguous to water. ‘These works from the examinations which
have been made, are supposed to have been erected more than rooo years ago ; or 700
before the discovery of America by Columbus. They appear to have existed about
the same period, throughout all, or the greater part of that vast tract of country
bounded by the Alleghany Mountains on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the
west, and including the most favourable latitudes of North America. Perhaps some
have been found east of the Alleghany Mountains. Have numerous ancient nations,
more civilized and disposed to labour than any of the modern Indian tribes, inhabited
this country? And have these fortifications been their humble substitutes for the walled
and fortified cities of the old world in remote ages? Or, has this been the Roman
Empire of the New World? And has it been destroyed by other hordes of barbarians,
as fierce and cruel as those who destroyed that of the old?
28 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
through them in various directions. We encamped on the
south side.
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We passed yellow bluffs on the north side and a small creek called Plumb Creek. Here the river turns at right angles to the left, until it reaches the hills on the south side, then winds gradually to the right. There is no timber in this part of the country; only continuous prairie on both sides of the river. A person, by going up on one of the hills, may have a view as far as the eye can reach without any obstruction or intervening object, and enjoy the most delightful prospects. During this day's voyage we found the hills on the opposite sides of the river generally not more than two miles apart, with the river meandering through them in various directions. We camped on the south side.
* The description of this breastwork corresponds exactly with the accounts given of numerous ancient fortifications discovered in the Western Country, which are known and represented to be generally of an oblong form, situated on strong and well-chosen ground, and close to water. These works, from the examinations which have been made, are supposed to have been erected more than 1000 years ago, or 700 years before the discovery of America by Columbus. They appear to have existed about the same period throughout all, or the greater part of, that vast tract of country bounded by the Alleghany Mountains on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the west, and including the most favorable latitudes of North America. Perhaps some have been found east of the Alleghany Mountains. Did numerous ancient nations, more civilized and disposed to labor than any of the modern Indian tribes, inhabit this country? And were these fortifications their humble substitutes for the walled and fortified cities of the old world in remote ages? Or has this been the Roman Empire of the New World? And has it been destroyed by other hordes of barbarians, as fierce and cruel as those who destroyed that of the old?
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