Le Borgne (One Eye) Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Colter Released to Trap with Dixon and Hancock

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:46:21 +0000

leave of our officers to go back with Mr Dixon a trapping, which
permission was granted him so our officers Settled with him and
fitted him out with powder lead and a great number of articles
which compleated him for a trapping voiage of two years which
they are determined to Stay untill they make a fortune, &C. &C.
we lashed together Some of our canoes and Colter Mr Dixon &
Handcock parted with us in their Small canoe2 the natives
visits us in great numbers, about 4 oC. P. M. dropped down to
the 1st village of Mandans where we took on board Mr Jessom his
1 The swivel was presented with “a good deel of ceremony” to Le Borgne,
or the One Eyed with a view to attaching him more strongly to the United
States government. In presenting the gun Clark told the chief “to remem-
ber,” when he fired it, “the words of his great father which we had given him,
this gun had announced the words of his great father to all the nations which we
had seen.”
2 “The example of this man shows how easily men may4 be weaned from
the habits of civilized life to the ruder but scarcely less fascinating manners
of the woods. This hunter has been now absent for many years from the
frontiers, and might naturally be presumed to have some anxiety, or some
curiosity at least, to return to his friends and his country; yet, just at the
moment when he is approaching the frontiers, he is tempted by a hunting
scheme to give up those delightful prospects, and go back without the least
reluctance to the solitude of the woods.” Biddle, III, 1182. Colter remained
on the upper Missouri, in the midst of perils and hardships, until the spring of
1810. He was the first white explorer of Yellowstone Park. For an account
of his adventurous career see Wheeler, I, 98-105, and Chittenden, American
Fur Trade, II, 713-23.
In addition to Colter Hie parly left behind at the Mandan villages, Charbon-
neau. Sacajawea, and their baby. The latter, “a butifull promising child”
of nineteen months, Clark offered to lake and rear. The parents were willing,
but the fact that the baby was Dot yel weaned led to the decision to keep him
with his mother for another year, when Charbonneau was to bring him to St.
Louis for Clark to rear “in such manner as I thought proper.” This arrange-1
ment was never carried out, however, and the youthful Charbonneau spent
his life among the savages.
1806] SERGEANT ORDWAY’S JOURNAL 391
his wife and two children the big white the head chief of Sd vil-
lage his wife or one of his wives. I understand he has two wives,
he has only one child and takes that with him took their bag-
gage on board and the chief putting his arm round all the head
mens necks of his nation who Set on Shore and a number crying
and appeared Sorry to part with him he took his leave of them
however and we Set out and procd on the wind a head Campd
on S. S.1

The post Colter Released to Trap with Dixon and Hancock appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Corn Shelling and Account of One-Eyed Chief Le Borgne

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:45:14 +0000

ployed hailing corn, the wind high from the East, looklikely for rain.
1 The principal man among the visitors was Le Borgne, or One Eyed. He
was a man of gigantic size, and enjoyed a reputation for villainy comparable
to his physical stature. For tales of his misdeeds see Early Western Travels,
V, 161-62, and Coues, I, 244.
2 Clark’s journal en tries for March 11 and 12 give the particulars of the disagree-
ment with Charbonneau. Having “every reason to believe” that he had been
corrupted by the traders of the North West Company, the captains gave him
until the following day to determine whether he would go with the expedition
on the terms which had been verbally agreed upon. Charbonneau chose to de-
mand new and, as the captains thought, inadmissible terms, and they accord-
ingly suffered him “to be off with the engagement.”
1805J SERGEANT ORDWAY’S JOURNAL 187

The post Corn Shelling and Account of One-Eyed Chief Le Borgne appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Blunderbusses Fired Announcing Return to Mandan Villages

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:53 +0000

Thursday 14th August 1806 Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on. when we
were opposit the Minetares Grand Village we Saw a number of the Nativs
viewing of we derected the Blunderbuses fired Several times, Soon after we
Came too at a Croud of the nativs on the bank opposit the Village of the
Shoe Indians or Mah-har-ha’s at which place I saw the principal Chief of
the Little Village of the Menitarre & the principal Chief of the
Mah-har-has. those people were extreamly pleased to See us. the Chief of
the little Village of the Menetarias cried most imoderately, I enquired
the Cause and was informed it was for the loss of his Son who had been
killed latterly by the Blackfoot Indians. after a delay of a fiew minits I
proceeded on to the black Cats Village on the N. E. Side of the Missouri
where I intended to Encamp but the Sand blew in Such a manner that we
deturmined not to continu on that Side but return to the Side we had left.
here we were visited by all the inhabitants of this village who appeared
equally as well pleased to See us as those above. I walked up to the Black
Cats village & eate some Simnins with him, and Smoked a pipe this
Village I discovered had been rebuilt Since I left it and much Smaller
than it was; on enquirey into the Cause was informed that a quarrel had
taken place and Lodges had removed to the opposd Side. I had Soon as I
landed despatched Shabono to the Minetarras inviting the Chiefs to visit
us, & Drewyer down to the lower Village of the Mandans to ask Mr.
Jessomme to Come and enterpret for us. Mr. Jessomme arived and I spoke to
the chiefs of the Village informing them that we Spoke to them as we had
done when we were with them last and we now repeeted our envitation to the
principal Chiefs of all the Villages to accompany us and to the U States
&c. &c. the Black Cat Chief of the Mandans, Spoke and informed me
that he wished to Visit the United States and his Great Father but was
afraid of the Scioux who were yet at war with them and had killed Several
of their men Since we had left them, and were on the river below and would
Certainly kill him if he attempted to go dow.i. I indeavered to do away
with his objections by informig him that we would not Suffer those indians
to hurt any of our red Children who Should think proper to accompany us,
and on their return they would be equally protected, and their presents
which would be very liberal, with themselves, Conveyed to their own
Country at the expence of the U. States &c. &c. The chief promised
us Some corn tomorrow. after the Council I directed the Canoes to cross
the river to a brook opposit where we Should be under the wind and in a
plain where we would be Clear of musquetors & after Crossing the Chief
of the Mah har has told me if I would Send with him he would let me have
some corn. I directed Sergt Gass & 2 men to accompany him to his
Village, they Soon returned loaded with Corn. the Chief and his wife also
came down. I gave his wife a fiew Needles &c.The Great Chif of
all the Menitarres the one eye Came to Camp also Several other Chiefs of
the different Villages. I assembled all the Chiefs on a leavel Spot on the
band and Spoke to them & see next book.

The post Blunderbusses Fired Announcing Return to Mandan Villages appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Swivel Gun Presented to One Eye of the Minitaris

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:53 +0000

Friday 16th August 1806 a cool morning. Sent up Sergt. Pryor to the mandan
village, for Some Corn which they offered to give us. he informed that
they had more Corn collected for us than our Canoes Could Carry Six load
of which he brought down. I thanked the Chief for his kindness and
informed him that our Canoes would not Carry any more Corn than we had
already brought down. at 10 A. M the Chiefs of the different villages came
to See us and Smoke a pipe &c. as our Swivel Could no longer be
Serveceable to us as it could not be fireed on board the largest Perogue,
we Concluded to make a present of it to the Great Chief of the Menetaras
(the One Eye) with a view to ingratiate him more Strongly in our favour I
had the Swivel Charged and Collected the Chiefs in a circle around it and
adressed them with great ceremoney. told them I had listened with much
attention to what the One Eye had Said yesterday and beleived that he was
Sincere & Spoke from his heart. I reproached them very Severely for
not attending to what had been Said to them by us in Council in the fall
of 1804 and at different times in the winter of 1804 & 5, and told
them our backs were Scercely turned befor a party followed and killed the
pore defenceless snake indians whom we had taken by the hand & told
them not to be afraid that you would never Strike them again &c. also
mentioned the ricers &c. The little Cherry old Chief of the Menetarras
Spoke as follows Viz: “Father we wish to go down with you to See our Great
Father, but we know the nations below and are afraid of the Scioux who
will be on the river and will kill us on our return home. The Scioux has
Stolen our horses and killed 8 of our men Since you left us, and the
Ricaras have also Struck us. we Staid at home and listened to what you had
told us. we at length went to war against the Scioux and met with Ricaras
and killed two of them, they were on their way to Strike us. We will
attend to your word and not hurt any people all Shall be Welcom and we
Shall do as you direct-.” The One Eye Said his ears would always be open
to the word of his great father and Shut against bad Council &c. I
then a good deel of Ceremony made a preasent of the Swivel to the One Eye
Chief and told him when he fired this gun to remember the words of his
great father which we had given him. this gun had anounced the words of
his great father to all the nations which we had Seen &c. &c.
after the council was over the gun was fired & delivered, they Chief
appeared to be much pleased and conveyed it immediately to his village
&c. we Settled with and discharged Colter. in the evening I walked to
the village to See the little Crow and know when he would be ready, took
with me a flag intending to give him to leave at his lodge but to my
astonishment he informed me he had declined going down the reason of which
I found was through a jellousy between himself and the principal Chief he
refused a flag & we Sent for Mr. Jessomme and told him to use his
influn to provail on one of the Chiefs to acompany us and we would employ
him. he informed us soon after that the big white Chief would go if we
would take his wife & Son & Jessoms wife & 2 children we wer
obliged to agree to do

The post Swivel Gun Presented to One Eye of the Minitaris appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Pirogues Prepared; Departure Imminent Before April Floods

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:55 +0000

Monday March 17th 1806. Catel and his family left us this morning. Old
Delashelwilt and his women still remain they have formed a camp near the
fort and seem to be determined to lay close sege to us but I beleive
notwithstanding every effort of their wining graces, the men have
preserved their constancy to the vow of celibacy which they made on this
occasion to Capt C. and myself. we have had our perogues prepared for our
departer, and shal set out as soon as the weather will permit. the weather
is so precarious that we fear by waiting untill the first of April that we
might be detained several days longer before we could get from this to the
Cathlahmahs as it must be calm or we cannot accomplish that part of our
rout. Drewyer returned late this evening from the Cathlahmahs with our
canoe which Sergt. Pryor had left some days since, and also a canoe which
he had purchased from those people. for this canoe he gave my uniform
laced coat and nearly half a carrot of tobacco. it seems that nothing
excep this coat would induce them to dispose of a canoe which in their
mode of traffic is an article of the greatest value except a wife, with
whom it is equal, and is generally given in exchange to the father for his
daughter. I think the U States are indebted to me another Uniform coat,
for that of which I have disposed on this occasion was but little woarn.we
yet want another canoe, and as the Clatsops will not sell us one at a
price which we can afford to give we will take one from them in lue of the
six Elk which they stole from us in the winter.-

The pellucid jellylike substance, called the sea-nettle is found in great
abundance along the strad where it has been thrown up by the waves and
tide.

There are two speceis of the Fuci or seawreckwhich we also find thrown up
by the waves. the 1st speceis at one extremity consists of a large vesicle
or hollow vessell which would contain from one to two gallons, of a conic
form, the base of which forms the extreem end and is convex and globelar
bearing on it’s center some short broad and irregular fibers. the
substance is about the consistence of the rind of a citron mellon and 3/4
of an inch thick. the rihind is smooth. from the small extremity of the
cone a long, hollow, celindrick, and regularly tapering tube extends to 20
or thirty feet and is then terminated with a number of branches which are
flat 1/2 an inch in width rough particular on the edges where they are
furnished with a number of little ovate vesicles or bags of the size of a
pigeon’s egg. this plant seems to be calculated to float at each extremity
while the little end of the tube from whence the branches proceed, lies
deepest in the water.

The other speceis I have never seen but Capt. Clark who saw it on the
coast towards the Killamucks informed me that it resembled a large
pumpkin, it is solid and it’s specific gravity reather greater than the
water, tho it is sometimes thrown out by the waves. it is of a yellowis
brown colour. the rhind smooth and consistence harder than that of a
pumpkin tho easily cut with a knife. there are some dark brown fibers
reather harder than any other part which pass longitudinally through the
pulp or fleshey substance wich forms the interior of this marine
production.The following is a list of the names of the commanders of
vessels who visit the entrance of the Columbia river in the spring and
autumn fror the purpose of trading with the natives or hunting Elk. these
names are spelt as the Indians pronounce them.

Mr. Haley, their favorite trader visits them in a vessel with three masts,
and continues some time

Youens, visits in a 3 masted vessel- Trader Tallamon do. 3 do. no trader
Callallamet do. 3 do. Trader. has a wooden leg. Swipton do. 3 do. Trader.
Moore do. 4 do. do. Mackey do. 3 do. do. Washington do. 3 do. do. Mesship
do. 3 do. do. Davidson do. 2

no trader hunts Elk Jackson do. 3 masted vessel Trader Bolch do. 3 do. do.
Skelley do. 3 do. do. tho he has been gone some years. he has one eye.

The post Pirogues Prepared; Departure Imminent Before April Floods appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Grueling Portage Over Rocks at the Great Shute

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:15 +0000

November 1st Friday 1805 a verry cold morning wind from N. E and hard Set
all hands packing the loading over th portage which is below the Grand
Shutes and is 940 yards of bad way over rocks & on Slipery hill Sides
The Indians who came down in 2 Canoes last night packed their fish over a
portage of 21/2 miles to avoid a 2d Shute. four of them took their canoes
over the 1st portage and run the 2d Shute, Great numbers of Sea otters,
they are So Cautious that I with deficuelty got a Shute at one to day,
which I must have killed but Could not get him as he Sunk

We got all our Canoes and baggage below the Great Shute 3 of the canoes
being Leakey from injures recved in hauling them over the rocks, obliged
us to delay to have them repaired a bad rapid just below us three Indian
canoes loaded with pounded fish for the &c. trade down the river
arrived at the upper end of the portage this evening. I Can’t lern whether
those Indians trade with white people or Inds. below for the Beeds &
copper, which they are So fond ofThey are nearly necked, prefuring
beeds to anythingThose Beeds they trafick with Indians Still higher
up this river for Skins robes &c. &c. The Indians on those waters
do not appear to be Sickly, Sore eyes are Common and maney have lost their
eyes, Some one and, maney both, they have bad teeth, and the greater
perpotion of them have worn their teeth down, maney into the gums, They
are rather Small high Cheeks, women Small and homely, maney of them had
Sweled legs, large about the knees,-owing to the position in which they
Set on their hams, They are nearly necked only a piece of leather tied
about their breech and a Small robe which generally comes to a little
below their wastes and Scercely Sufficely large to cover arround them when
confinedthey are all fond of Clothes but more So of Beeds
perticularly blue & white beeds. They are durty in the extreme both in
their Coockery and in their houses.

Those at the last Village raise the beads about five feet from the
earth-under which they Store their ProvisionsTheir houses is about
33 feet to 50 feet Square, the Bore of which is about 30 Inc. high and 16
Inches wide in this form cut in a wide pine board they have maney imeges
Cut in wood, generally, in the figure of a manThose people are high
with what they have to Sell, and Say the white people below Give them
great Prices for what they Sell to them. Their nose are all Pierced, and
the wear a white Shell maney of which are 2 Inch long pushed thro the noseall
the women have flat heads pressed to almost a point at top The press the
female childrens heads between 2 bords when young-untill they form the
Skul as they wish it which is generally verry flat. This amongst those
people is considered as a great mark of butyand is practised in all the
tribes we have passed on this river more or less. men take more of the
drugery off the women than is common with Indians

—

November 1st Friday 1805 A verry Cool morning wind hard from the N. E. The
Indians who arrived last evining took their Canoes on ther Sholders and
Carried them below the Great Shute, we Set about takeing our Small Canoe
and all the baggage by land 940 yards of bad Slippery and rockey way The
Indians we discoverd took ther loading the whole length of the portage
21/2 miles, to avoid a Second Shute which appears verry bad to pass, and
thro which they passed with their empty canoes. Great numbers of Sea
Otters, they are So cautious that I with dificuelty got a Shot at one to
day, which I must have killed, but could not get him as he Sunk

we got all our baggage over the Portage of 940 yards, after which we got
the 4 large Canoes over by Slipping them over the rocks on poles placed
across from one rock to another, and at Some places along partial Streams
of the river. in passing those canoes over the rocks &c. three of them
recived injuries which obliged us to delay to have them repared.

Several Indian Canoes arrived at the head of the portage, Some of the men
accompanied by those from the village came down to Smoke with us, they
appear to Speak the Same language with a little different axcent

I visited the Indian Village found that the Construction of the houses
Similar to those abov described, with this difference only that they are
larger Say from 35 to 50 feet by 30 feet, raised about 5 feet above the
earth, and nearly as much below The Dores in the Same form and Size cut in
the wide post which Supports one end of the ridge pole and which is carved
and painted with different figures & Hieroglyphics Those people gave
me to eate nuts berries & a little dried fish, and Sold me a hat of
ther own taste without a brim, and baskets in which they hold their waterTheir
beads are raised about 41/2 feet, under which they Store away their dried
fish, between the part on which they lie and the back wall they Store away
their roots burries nuts and valuable articles on mats, which are Spread
also around the fire place which is Sunk about one foot lower than the
bottom fore of the house, this fire place is about 8 feet long and Six
feet wide Secured with a fraim those houses are calculated for 4, 5 &
6 families, each familey haveing a nice painted ladder to assend up to
their beads. I Saw in those houses Several wooden Images all cut in
imitation of men, but differently fasioned and placed in the most
conspicious parts of the houses, probably as an orniment I cannot lern
certainly as to the traffick those Inds. carry on below, if white people
or the indians who trade with the Whites who are either Settled or visit
the mouth of this river. I believe mostly with the latter as their
knowledge of the white people appears to be verry imperfect, and the
articles which they appear to trade mostly i e Pounded fish, Beargrass,
and roots; cannot be an object of comerce with furin merchantshowever
they git in return for those articles Blue and white beeds copper Tea
Kitties, brass arm bands, some Scarlet and blue robes and a fiew articles
of old clothes, they prefer beeds to any thing and will part with the last
mouthfull or articles of clothing they have for a fiew of those beeds,
those beeds the trafick with Indians Still higher up this river for roabs,
Skins, cha-pel-el bread, beargrass &c. who in their turn trafick with
those under the rockey mountains for Beargrass, Pashico roots & robes
&c.

The nativs of the waters of the Columbia appear helthy, Some have turners
on different parts of their bodies, and Sore and weak Eyes are common,
maney have lost their Sight entirely great numbers with one eye out and
frequently the other verry weak; This misfortune I must again asscribe to
the water &c. They have bad teeth, which is not common with indians,
maney have worn their teeth down and Some quite into their gums, this I
cannot Satisfactorily account for it, do ascribe it in some measure to
their method of eateing, their food, roots pertiularly, which they make
use of as they are taken out of the earth frequently nearly covered with
Sand, I have not Seen any of their long roots offered for Sale clear of
Sand. They are rether below the Common Size high cheeks womin Small and
homely, and have Swelled legs and thighs, and their knees remarkably large
which I ascribe to the method in which they Sit on their hams-go nearly
necked wareing only a piece of leather tied about their breast which falls
down nearly as low as the waste, a Small roabe about 3 feet Square, and a
piece of leather tied about their breach, They have all flat heads in this
quarter They are tirty in the extream, both in their person and cooking,
ware their hare loose hanging in every direction. They asc high prices for
what they Sell and Say that the white people below give great prices for
every thing &c.

The noses are all pierced and when they are dressed they have a long
tapered piece of white shell or wampum put through the nose, Those Shells
are about 2 inches in length. I observed in maney of the villeages which I
have passed, the heads of the female children in the press for the purpose
of compressing their heads in their infancy into a certain form, between
two boards

The post Grueling Portage Over Rocks at the Great Shute appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Grand Council with Mandan and Hidatsa Chiefs

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:34:43 +0000

29th of October 1804 a fine morning after Brackfast we were Visited by the
Old Chief of the Big Bellies or me ne tar res, this Man has Given his
power to his Son who is now on a war party against the Snake Indians who
inhabit the Rockey Mountains, the S W wind verry highwe met in
Council under an orning and our Sales Stretched round to keep out as much
wind as possible & Delivered a long Speach Similar to what had been
Said to the nations below, the old Chief was restless before the Speech
was half ended, observed his Camp was exposed & could wait no longer
&c. at the Conclusion of the Speach we mentioned the Ricaras &
requested them to make a peace & Smoke out of the Sacred Stem with
their Chief which I intreduced and gave him the pipe of peace to hand
around, they all Smoked with eagerness out of the pipe held by the Ricara
Chief Ar-ke-tar-na-Shar we mentioned our hands that were to be discharged
here, also the roberrey commited on th 2 french men below, & requested
them to answere us tomorrow, gave the Chief Small preasents and a fiew
presents for each village Shot the air gun which both Surprised and
astonished the nativs, and Soon dispersed

our Ricara Chief Came told me he wished to return to his nation tomorrow I
put him off & Said we would Send a talk by him after the Chiefs had
Spoken to uswe gave a Steel mill to the mandans which was verry
pleasing to them

The Chief who recved Medals to Day are as follows viz-in Council

is Mandan village Ma-too-ton kai s Chief Sha-ha-ka Big White 2nd
Ka-goh-ha-me little Crows

2 do village Roop tar-hee

1 s & grand Chief Poss-cop-sa-he Black Cat

2d Chief Car-gar-no-mok-she raven man Chief

Mah har-ha village

is Chief Ta-tuck-co pin re has, white Buffalow Skin unfolded

Little Menetarre village

is Chief Omp-Se-ha-ra Black mockerson. 2d Chief Oh-hark little Fox.

The Grand village of Manetarres, The One Eye is the principal Chief and he
is out on a hunting party. we Send by the Grape all the articles for this
grand Chief and all the Village what goods was intended for that VillageThe
Prarie got on fire and went with Such Violenc & Speed as to Catch a
man & woman & burn them to Death, Several escapd. among other a
Small boy who was Saved by getting under a green Buffalow Skin, this boy
was half white, & the Indians Say all white flesh is medisan, they Say
the grass was not burnt where the boy Sat &c. &. this fire passed
us at 8 oClock, and lookd truly tremendious.

—

29th October Monday 1804 a fair fine morning after Brackfast we were
visited by the old Cheaf of the Big bellies or ____ this man was old and
had transfered his power to his Sun, who was then out at war against the
Snake Indians who inhabit the rockey mountainsat 10 oClock the S W.
wind rose verry high, we Collected the Chiefs and Commened a Council
ounder a Orning and our Sales Stretched around to Keep out as much wind as
possible, we delivered a long Speech the Substance of which Similer to
what we had Delivered to the nations below. the old Chief of the
Grossanters was verry restless before the Speech was half ended observed
that he Could not wait long that his Camp was exposed to the hostile
Indians, &c. &. he was rebuked by one of the Chiefs for his
uneasiness at Such a time as the present, we at the end of the Speech
mentioned the Ricare who Accompanied us to make a firm peace, they all
Smoked with him (I gave this Cheaf a Dollar of the American Coin as a
Meadel with which he was much pleased) In Councel we prosented him with a
Certificate of his Sincrrity and good Conduct &c. we also Spoke about
the fur which was taken from 2 french men by a Mandan, and informd of our
intentions of Sending back the french handsafter the Council we
gave the presents with much Seremoney, and put the Meadels on the Cheifs
we intended to make viz. one for each Town to whome we gave Coats hats
& flags, one Grand Cheif to each nation to whome we gave meadels with
the presidents likeness in Councel we requested them to give us an answer
tomorrow or as Soon as possible to Some points which required their
Deliberation- after the Council was over we Shot the Air gun which
appeared to assonish the nativs much, the greater part them retired Soon
after

The Ricare Cheaf Ar-ke-tar-na-shar Came to me this evening and tells me
that he wishes to return to his Village & nation, I put him off Saying
tomorrow we would have an answer, to our talk to the Satisfaction &
Send by him a String of wompom informing what had passed here. a Iron or
Steel Corn Mill which we gave to the Mandins, was verry Thankfully recived(rte
The Prarie was Set on fire (or Cought by accident) by a young man of the
Mandins, the fire went with Such velocity that it burnt to death a man and
woman, who Could not Get to any place of Safty, one man a woman &
Child much burnt and Several narrowly escaped the flamea boy half
white was Saved un hurt in the midst of the flaim, Those ignerent people
Say this boy was Saved by the great Spirit medisin because he was whiteThe
Cause of his being Saved was a Green buffalow Skin was thrown over him by
his mother who perhaps had more fore Sight for the pertection of her Son,
and less for herself than those who escaped the flame, the Fire did not
burn under the Skin leaving the grass round the boy This fire passed our
Camp last about 8 oClock P.M. it went with great rapitidity and looked
Tremendious

The following Chiefs were made in Councel to day

Mar-too-ton-ha or Lower Village of the Mandans 1st Cheif Sha-ha-ka or Big
White 2 do Ka-goh-ha-mi or Little raven

Roop-tar-hee or Second Village of the Mandans 1st and Grand
Cheif-Pass-cop-sa-he or black Cat 2nd Cheif Car-gar-no-mok-She raven man
Cheaf

Mah-har-ha 3rd Village Chief Ta-tuck-co-pin-re-ha (white Buffalow robe
unfolded)

Me-ne-tar-re Me-te har-tar 1st Cheif-Omp-se-ha-ra. Black Mockersons 2 do.
Oh-harh or Little fox

we Sent the presents intended for the Grand Chief of the Mi-ne-tar-re or
Big Belley, and the presents flag and wompoms by the Old Chief and those,
and those intended for the Cheif of the Lower Village by a young Cheif

The following Cheifs were recommended in addition to those Viz.

1st Village Oh-hee-nar Big Mana Chien Sho-ta-har ro-ra

2d Village Taw nish-e-oBel-lar sa ra Ar-rat-ta na-mock-SheWolf
Man Chief

3rd Village Min-nis-Sur-ra-ree (Neighing horse) Lo-tong-gar-ti harold
woman at a distance

4th Village Mar-noh-tah the big Steeler Man-se-rus-setale of
Callumet bird

5th Village Ad hako ho pin nee Little Wolfs medisons Ar-rat-toe-no mook-gu
(man wolf Chief) (at war) Cal-tar co ta(Cherry grows on a bush) old
Chief and father to the above mentd. Chief Maw-pah’-pir-re-cos-sa tooThis
chief is near this hunting and a verry Considerable man

To the 1st Chiefs we gave a medal with the Imp. of the President of the U
S. To the 2d Chiefs a medal of weaveing & Domestic animals. To the 3rd
Chiefs a medal with the impression of a man Sowing wheat.

4th Village 1 Ea pa no paTwo taled Calumet bird young Chief 2 War
he ras sa the red Shield young Chief of Big belley-big town

The post Grand Council with Mandan and Hidatsa Chiefs appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Le Borgne (One Eye)

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:42:25 +0000

Le Borgne (“One Eye”) was the principal war chief of the Hidatsa and one of the most powerful Native leaders on the upper Missouri. He lost his eye in battle and was known as a fierce, sometimes intimidating figure.

During the expedition’s winter at Fort Mandan, Le Borgne maintained a complex relationship with the captains. He was initially suspicious and sometimes hostile, but was eventually won over — particularly after witnessing demonstrations of the expedition’s weapons and trade goods.

Le Borgne’s power on the upper Missouri was significant: he could influence trade and diplomacy across a wide region. The captains recognized him as the most formidable Native leader they encountered during the winter at the Mandan villages.

The post Le Borgne (One Eye) appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.