The paper reconstructs the return party (Sheheke, or Big White, and his family; the Pierre Chouteau–led Osage delegation; Clark’s man York; privates Labiche and Frazier; and sergeants Gass and Ordway), the post roads they followed, and the long history of the Gap from Walker’s 1750 sighting through Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Road. It is a window onto Lewis the trained surveyor still at work, weeks after the journey west was over.

This summary is provided for reference on the Lewis and Clark Research archive; the full article by Lorna Hainesworth is available at the source link.

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On the 26th of July Capt Lewis Set out on his return to the enterance of
Marias river to meet with the party with, the Canoes from the falls. his
course was through the plains

S. E. 5 Milespassing a Small Creek from the mts

S. 70° E. 9 Miles to a principal branch of Marias River 65 yards wide not
very deep at 7 mile. this last branch is Shallow and rapid about the Size
of the former from the S W. both of those Streams Contain a great
preportion of timberhere we find the 3 Specis of Cotton before
mentioned

N 80° E. 4 miles down Marias river and met with 8 Indians of the Blackfoot
nation with about 30 horses, those Indians professed friendship and Set
out with him and encamped together the night of the 26th of July, thy
informed him that there was two large bands of their nation in that
quarter one of which would be at the enterance of Marias river in a fiew
days. they also informed that a french Trader was with one of those bands,
that they traded with the white people on the Suskashwen River at 6 easy
days march or about 150 miles distant from whome they precured Guns Powder
Lead blankets &c. in exchange for wolf and beaver Skins. Capt Lewis
gave them a Flag Meadel & Handkerchief Capt. L. informed those Indians
where he was from & where he had been and his objects & friendly
views &c. of which they appeared to be well Satisfied.

“on the morning of the 27th at day light the indians got up and crouded
around the fire, Jo. Field who was on post had carelessly laid his gun
down behind him near where his brother was Sleeping. one of the Indians
Slipd. behind him and took his gun and that of his brother unperceived by
him, at the Same instant two others advanced and Seized the guns of
Drewyer and Capt Lewis who were yet asleep. Jo. Fields Seeing this turned
about to take his gun and Saw the fellow running off with his and his
brothers, he called to his brother who instantly jumped up and prosued the
indian with him whome they overtook at the distance of 50 or 60 paces
Siezed their guns and rested them from him and R. Field as he Seized his
gun Stabed the indian to the heart with his knif who fell dead; (this Cap
L. did not know untill Some time after.) drewyer who awoke at the first
alarm jumped up and Seized & rested his gun from the indian &c.
Capt L. awoke and asked what was the matter Seeing Drewyer in a Scuffle
for his gun he turned to get his gun and found her gorn, he drew a pistol
from his holsters and prosued the Indian whom he Saw in possession of his
gun making off he presented the pistol and the indian lay down the gun.
the two Fields Came up and drew up to Shoot the Indian which Capt L.
forbid the indians then attempted to drive off all the horses. Capt L.
derected the men to fire on them if they attempted to drive off the
horses, and prosued two fellows who Continued to drive of his horses he
Shot the indian who had taken his gun and then in possession of his horse
through the belly, he fell and raised on his elbow and fired at Capt L.
the other made his escape into a nitch out of Sight with his bow and
arrows and as Capt L. guns was empty and he without his Shot pouch he
returnd. to the Camp where the 2 fields and Drewyer joind him having
prosued the indians across the river the were now in possession of the
most of their own as well as the indian horses and a gun Several bows
& arrows and all the indians baggage the gun & Some feathers and
flag they took and burnt all the other articles. and Saddled up a many of
the best horses as they wished with Some Spear horses, and Set out for to
intersept the party at Marias river and proceded on a little to the S. of
East 112 Miles to the Missouri at the Grog Spring. here they met with
Canoes and party decending joined them leaving their horses on the river
bank, and proceeded on to the enterance of Marias river opened the
deposits, found Several articles damaged. 3 Beaver traps could not be
found, the red perogue unfit for Service, from thenc they proceeded
without delay to the River Rochejhone See cources of Capt Lewis rout in
next book.”

at 2 P.M. Shannon & Gibson arived in the Skin Canoe with the Skins and
the greater part of the flesh of 3 Elk which they had killed a fiew miles
above. the two men Dixon & Handcock the two men we had met above came
down intending to proceed on down with us to the Manclans. at 3 P M we
proceded on all together having left the 2 leather Canoes on the bank. a
little below the enterance of (Jos) Shabonos Creek we Came too on a large
Sand point from the S. E. Side and Encamped. the wind blew very hard from
the S W. and Some rain. I washed Capt L. wound which has become Sore and
Somewhat painfull to him.

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Among the Grasses of this Country I observe a large Species which grows in
moist Situations; it rises to the hight of Eight or ten feet, the Culm is
jointed, hollow, Smooth, as large as a goose quill, and more firm than
ordinary grass; the leaf is linner broad and rough; it has much the
appearance of the Meadin Cain as it is Called in the Southern parts of the
U States, and retains it’s virdue untill late in the fall. this grass
propegates principally by the Root which is horozontal and perennial.-. a
Second Species grows in tussucks and rises to the hight of Six or Eight
feet; it Seams to delight in the Soil of the river bottoms which possess
agreater mixture of Sand than the hills in this neighbourhood. this is
also a harsh Course grass; it appears to be the Same which is Called the
Corn grass in the Southern States, and the Foxtail in Virginia. a third
Species resembles the cheet, tho the horses feed on it very freely. a
fouth and most prevalent Species is a grass which appears to be the Same
Called the blue Grass common to maney parts of the United States; it is
common to the bottoms as well as the uplands, is now Seeding and is from 9
inches to 2 feet high; it affords an excellent paterage for horses and
appears to bear the frost and Snow better than any grass in our Country; I
therefore regrete very much that the Seed will not be ripe before our
probable departure. this is a fine Soft grass and would no doubt make
excellent hay if cultivated. I do not find the Green Sword here which we
met with on the lower part of the Columbia. There are also Several Species
of the wild Rye to be met with in the praries. among the plants and Shrubs
common to our Country I observe here the Seven bark, Wild rose, vineing
honey suckle, Sweet willow, red willow, long leafed pine, Cattail or
Coopers Flag. Lambs quarter, Strawberries, Raspberries, Goose berries,
tongue grass, Mustard, tanzy, Sinquefield, horse mint, water penerial,
elder, Coalts foot, Green Plantin, canser weed, Shoemate, and Several of
the pea blume flowering plants.-. Frazier who had permission to visit the
Twisted Hairs Lodge at the distance of ten or twelve miles did not return
this evening-. The river falls in course of the day and rises Some at
night as will be Seen by the remarks in the Diary of the weather. this
most probably is the melding of the Snows dureing the day &c.

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Shabono’s child is much better to day; tho the Swelling on the Side of his
neck I believe will termonate in an ugly imposthume a little below the
ear. The Indians were so anxious that the Sick Chief (who has lost the use
of his limbs) Should be Sweted under our inspection they requested me to
make a 2d attempt to day; accordingly the hole was enlargened and his
father a very good looking old man performed all the drugery &c. we
could not make him Swet as copously as we wished. being compelled to keep
him erect in the hole by means of Cords. after the oppiration he
complained of Considerable pain, I gave him 30 drops of Laudnom which Soon
composed him and he rested very well-. I observe the Strongest marks of
parental affection. they all appear extreemly attentive to this Sick man,
no do they appear to relax in their ascituity towards him not withstanding
he has been Sick and helpless for near 5 years. The Chopunnish appeare to
be very attentive & kind to their aged people and treat their women
with more respect than the nativs on the Missouri.

There is a Species of whistleing Squirel common in these plains which in
their habit Somewhat resembles those of the Missouri but are a distinct
Species. this little animale measures 1 foot 5 inches & a half from
the nose to the extremity of the tail, of which the tail occupies 21/4
inches only; in the girth it is 11 inches the body is perpotionably long,
the neck and legs Short; the ears are Short, obtusely pointed, and lye
close to the head; the aperture of the ear is larger proportionably than
most animals which burrow. the eyes are of Moderate Size, the puple black
and iris of a dark dusky brown. the teeth are like those of the Squirel as
is it’s whole contour. the whiskers are full, long and black; it has also
Some long black hars above the eye-. it has five toes on each foot; the 2
iner toes of the fore feet are remarkably Short, and have Short blunt
nails. the remaining toes on these feet are long Slightly Curved, black
and Sharply pointed. the outer and inner toes of the hind feet are not
Short yet they are by no means as long as the three toes in the Center of
the foot which are remarkably long but the nails are not as long as those
of the fore feet tho of the Same form and colour. the bars of the tail tho
thickly inserted on every part respects the two Sides only. this givs it a
flat appearance and a long oval form. the tips of the hair which forms the
outer edges of the tail are white. the bace of the hair are either black
or a fox red. the under disk of the tail is an iron gray, the upper a
redish brown. the lower part of the jaws, under part of the neck, legs and
feet from the body down and belly are of a light brick red. the nose as
high as the eyes is of a darker brick red. the upper part of the head neck
and body are of a curious brownish gray colour with a cast of the brick
red. the longer hairs of these parts being of a redish white colour at
their extremities fall together in Such a Manner as to give it to the
appearance of being Spekled at a little distance. these animals form large
ascoations as those of the Missouri, occupying with their burroughs one or
Sometimes 200 acres of Land. the burrows are Seperate and are each
occupyed perhaps by 10 or 12 of those Animals. there is a little Mound in
front of the hole formed of the earth thrown out of the burrow and
frequently there are three or four distinct holes forming what I call one
burrow, around the base of the mound, which Seams to be occupied as a
watch tower in common by the inhabitents of those Several holes. these
Mounds are Sometimes as much as 2 feet high, and 4 feet in diameter, and
are irregularly distributed over the tract they occupy at the distance of
from ten to 30 or forty yards. When you approach a burrow the Squirels
one, or more, usially Set erect on these Mounds and make a kind of Shrill
whistleing nois, Something like tweet, tweet, tweet &c. they do not
live on grass as those of the Missouri but on roots. one which I examoned
had in his mouth two Small bulbs of a Species of grass, which resembles
very much what is Sometimes Called the Grass Nut. the intestins of these
little animals are remarkably large for it’s Size; fur Short and very
fine. the grass in their village is not Cut down as in these of the plains
of the Missouri. I preserved the Skins of Several of these animals with
the heads feet and legs entire-.-. The Black Wood pecker which is found in
most parts of the rocky Mountains as will as the Western and S W.
mountains, I had never an oppertunity of examineing, untill a fiew days
Since when we killed and preserved Several of them. this bird is about the
Size of the lark woodpecker or the turtle dove, tho it’s wings are longer
than either of these birds. the beak is black, one inch long reather wide
at the base, Somewhat cirved, and Sharply pointed; the chaps are of equal
length. around the bace of the beak including the eye and a Small part of
the throat is of a crimson red. the neck and as low as the croop in front
is of an iron gray. the belly and breast is of a curious mixture of white
and blood red which has much the appearance of haveing been artifically
painted or Stained of that colour, the red reather predominates. the top
of the head, back, Sides, upper Surface of the wings and tail are black,
the under Side of the wings and tail are black. it has ten feathers in the
tail, Sharply pointed, and those in the center reather longest, being 21/2
inches in length. the tongue is barbed, pointed, and of an elastic
cartalaginous Substance. the eye is moderately large, puple black and iris
of a dark yellowish brown. this bird in it’s actions when flying resemble
the Small redish woodpecker common to the altantic States; it’s note also
Somewhat resembles that bird. the pointed tail Seems to assist it in
sitting with more ease or retaining it, in it’s resting position against
the perpendicular Side of a tree. the legs and feet are black, and covered
with imbricated scales. it has four toes on each foot, of which two are in
rear and two in front; the nails are much curved long and remarkably Keen
or Sharply pointed. it feeds on bugs, worms and a variety of insects.-.

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we attempted to swet the sick indian but could not Suckceed. he was not
able either to Set up or be Supported in the place prepared for him. I
therefore deturmined to inform the Nativs that nothing but Sefere Swetts
would restore this disabled man, and even that doubtfull in his present
Situation. in the evening Shields & gibson returned haveing killed a
Sandhill Crane only. they Saw a female bear, & 2 Cubs & Several
deer. they Shot the bear and a deer both of which made their escape.
Gibson told me that the Cubs were of different Colours one jut black and
the other of a whiteish Colour-. 4 indians Continue with us, one return to
their village to daey

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Our hunters brought us a large hooting owl which differ from those of the
atlantic States. The plumage of this owl is an uniform mixture of dark
yellowish brown and white, in which the dark brown prodominates. it’s
Colour may be properly termed a dark Iron gray. the plumage is very long
and remarkably Silky and Soft. those have not the long feathers on the
head which give it the appearance of ears, or horns, remarkable large eyes

the hunters informed us that they had hunted with great industry all the
Country between the river and for Some distance above and below without
the Smallest Chance of killing any game. they inform us that the high
lands are very cold with snow which has fallen for every day or night for
Several past. our horses which was Cut is like to doe well.

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