William Clark Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Fort Mandan: March 23, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:09 +0000

Spring approached at Fort Mandan. The ice on the Missouri was beginning to break up, signaling the approach of departure day. The captains finalized the shipment of specimens and reports to be sent downstream to St. Louis and ultimately to President Jefferson.

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Fort Mandan: April 4, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:09 +0000

Final preparations at Fort Mandan for the spring departure. The permanent party was ready to continue westward into truly uncharted territory. The keelboat was loaded with specimens, maps, reports, and Indian artifacts to send back to civilization.

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Clark: October 15, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:09 +0000

The Corps continued their rapid descent of the Columbia River system, running dangerous rapids with the help of Nez Perce guides. The river cut through deep basalt canyons as they approached the Cascade Range and the final stretch to the Pacific Ocean.

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William Clark: May 13, 1804

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000

River a Dubois opposet the mouth of the Missourie River Sunday May the 13th 1804. I despatched an express this morning to Capt. Lewis at St. Louis, all our provisions Goods and equipage on Board of a Boat of 22 oars a large Perogue of 7 oares [in which 8 French] a Second Perogue of 6 oars, (Soldiers) Complete with Sails &c. &c. Men compl with Powder Cartragies and 100 Balls each, all in health and readiness to set out. Boats and everything Complete, with the necessary stores of provisions.

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

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Clark: August 10, 1804

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000

The expedition continued up the Missouri River through present-day Nebraska. The men hunted and made observations of the surrounding prairie landscape. The river was filled with sandbars requiring constant vigilance from the boatmen.

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Fort Mandan: January 6, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000

A bitterly cold day at Fort Mandan, with temperatures well below zero. The men stayed close to the fort, tending fires and maintaining equipment. Trade with the Mandan and Hidatsa continued, as the expedition relied on Native generosity during the harsh Dakota winter.

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Fort Mandan: February 22, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000

Winter continued at Fort Mandan. The captains worked on reports, maps, and specimen collections to send back to President Jefferson when the keelboat returned downstream in spring. Clark refined his maps of the Missouri River based on information from Mandan and Hidatsa informants.

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Clark: September 21, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:38:00 +0000

Sunday 21st Septr. 1806 rose early this morning Colected our men Several
of them had axcepted of the invitation of the Citizens and visited their
families. at half after 7 A. M we Set out. passed 12 canoes of Kickapoos
assending on a hunting expedition. Saw Several persons also Stock of
different kind on the bank which reviv’d the party very much. at 3 P M we
met two large boats assending. at 4 P M we arived in Sight of St. Charles,
the party rejoiced at the Sight of this hospital village plyed thear ores
with great dexterity and we Soon arived opposit the Town, this day being
Sunday we observed a number of Gentlemen and ladies walking on the bank,
we Saluted the Village by three rounds from our blunderbuts and the Small
arms of the party, and landed near the lower part of the town. we were met
by great numbers of the inhabitants, we found them excessively polite. we
received invitations from Several of those Gentlemen a Mr. Proulx, Taboe,
Decett, Tice Dejonah & Quarie and several who were pressing on us to
go to their houses, we could only visit Mr. Proulx and Mr. Deucett in the
course of the evening. Mr. Querie under took to Supply our party with
provisions &c. the inhabitants of this village appear much delighted
at our return and seem to vie with each other in their politeness to us
all. we Came only 48 miles today. the banks of the river thinly Settled
&c.

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Clark: September 22, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:38:00 +0000

Monday 22nd of Sept. 1806 This morning being very wet and the rain Still
Continueing hard, and our party being all Sheltered in the houses of those
hospitable people, we did not think proper to proceed on untill after the
rain was over, and continued at the house of Mr. Proulx. I took this
oppertunity of writeing to my friends in Kentucky &c. at 10 A M. it
seased raining and we Colected our party and Set out and proceeded on down
to the Contonemt. at Coldwater Creek about 3 miles up the Missouri on it’s
Southern banks, at this place we found Colo. Hunt & a Lieut Peters
& one Company of Artillerists we were kindly received by the Gentlemen
of this place. Mrs. Wilkinson the Lady of the Govr. & Genl. we wer
Sorry to find in delicate health.

we were honored with a Salute of ____ Guns and a harty welcom at this
place there is a publick Store kept in which I am informed the U. S have
60000$ worth of indian Goods

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Clark: September 24, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:38:00 +0000

Wednesday 24th of September 1806 I sleped but little last night however we
rose early and Commencd wrighting our letters Capt. Lewis wrote one to the
presidend and I wrote Govr. Harrison & my friends in Kentucky and Sent
of George Drewyer with those letters to Kohoka & delivered them to Mr.
Hays &. we dined with Mr. Chotoux to day, and after dinner went to a
Store and purchased Some Clothes, which we gave to a Tayler and derected
to be made. Capt Lewis in opening his trunk found all his papers wet, and
Some Seeds spoiled

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