William Clark: July 4, 1804

William Clark · Independence Creek, Kansas · Thwaites Vol. 1, pp. 69-70

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): right shore, 2 mi south Doniphan KA

July 4th Wednesday, — ussered in the day by a discharge of one shot from our Bow piece, proceeded on, passed the Mouth of a Bayeau leading from a large Lake on the S. S. which has the appearance of being once the bend of the river & reaches parrelel for Several Miles. Came to on the L. S. to refresh our selves. Jos. Fields got bit by a Snake, which was quickly doctered with Bark by Cap Lewis. Passed a Creek 12 yds. wide on L. S. comeing out of an extensive Prarie reching within 200 yards of the river, as this Creek has no name, and this being the 4th of July the day of the independance of the U S. call it 4th of July 1804 Creek. We dined (on Corn). Capt. Lewis walked on Shore above this Creek and discovered a high Mound from the top of which he had an extensive View, 3 paths Concentering at the moun. Saw great numbers of Goslings to day which Were nearly grown.

We came to and camped in the lower edge of a Plain where the 2d old Kanzas village formerly Stood, above the mouth of a Creek 30 yds. wide this Creek we call Creek Independence. as we approached this place the Prarie had a most butifull appearance Hills & Valies interspsd with Coops of Timber gave a pleasing deversity to the Senery. we closed the [day] by a Descharge from our bow piece, an extra Gill of whiskey.

Source: Thwaites, Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1904–05). Public domain.