August 26, 1806
96.90% Complete
Aug 30, 1803 Sep 30, 1806

August 26, 1806

 

a heavy dew this morning    the hunters or Shannon & the 2 fields came up at Sunrise and we Set out, they had killed only 2 Small deer one of which they had eat    at 8 passed the place the Tetons were encamped at the time they attempted to Stop us in Septr. 1804, [1] and at 9 A. M. passed the enterance of Teton River. [2] Saw Several black tail or Mule deer and Sent out to kill them but they were wild and the hunters Could not get a Shot at either of them.    a fiew miles below the Teton river I observed a buffalow Skin Canoe lying on the S Shore and a Short distance lower a raft which induces me to Suspect that the Tetons are not on the Missouri at the big bend as we were informed by the Ricaras, but up the Teton river.    at Meridn. we halted on the N E. Side opposit a handsom leavel plain in which there is great quantities of plumbs [3] which are not yet ripe.    we passed the enteranc of Smoke Creek [4] and landed and Continued two hours to Stop a leak in the perogue and fix the Stearing oare, Saw great quantities of Grapes, [5] they are black tho' not thurerly ripe.    at 5 P M. we landed a Louisells fort on Ceder Island, [6] this fort is entire and every part appears to be in the Same state it was when we passed it in Septr. 1804. I observed the appearance of 3 fires in the houses which appeared to have been made 10 or 12 days past.    we proceeded on about 10 miles lower and encamped on the S. W. Side opposit our outward bound encampment of the 21st of Septr. 1804, a fiew miles above Tylors River. [7]    we had a Stiff breeze from the S. E. which continued to blow the greater part of the night dry and pleasent.    as we were now in the Country where we were informed the Sceoux were assembled we were much on our guard deturmined to put up with no insults from those bands of Seioux, all the arms &. in perfect order. Capt. L. is Still on the mending hand    he walks a little. I have discontinued the tent in the hole where the ball entered, agreeable to his request.    he tells me that he is fully Convinced that the wound is sufficiently heeled for the tents to be discontinued.    we made 60 miles to day with the wind ahead greater part of the day—

 

Tuesday 26th August 1806.    a fair morning.    we set out as usal and procd on verry well    passd the Mouth of Teton River about 9 A. M.    procd on verry well without halting to cook this day and Camped at a bluff Some distance below Louisells fort and cedders Island which we passd. little before night.

 

Tuesday 26th.    We set out early, and had a pleasant morning; passed Teeton river, but saw no signs of the Teeton band of the Sioux nation. In the evening we passed Landselle's fort; but found no persons inhabiting it. At dark we encamped after coming about sixty miles.

1. This area is in Stanley County, South Dakota, above the mouth of Bad "Teton" River. See the description of this episode in the entries for September 26, 27, and 28, 1804. Mattison (OR), 30–33; Atlas map 23; MRC maps 40, 41. (back)
2. The party first reached the Bad "Teton" River, where they had an unpleasant encounter with the Teton Sioux, on September 24, 1804. It enters the Missouri in Stanley County, South Dakota, opposite Pierre. Atlas map 23; MRC map 40. (back)
3. The wild plum, Prunus americana Marsh., does not ripen until September. Barkley, 146. (back)
4. Smoke Creek is now La Chapelle, or Chapelle Creek, in Hughes County, South Dakota. The party first passed it on September 23, 1804. Mattison (BB), 263–65; Atlas map 22; MRC map 39. (back)
5. River-bank grape again. (back)
6. Régis Loisel's Fort aux Cedres, on the later Dorion Island No. 2; see May 25 and September 22, 1804. Mattison (BB), 261–63; Atlas map 22; MRC map 39; MRY map 62. (back)
7. The camp of September 21, 1804, was in Hughes County, at or just below the "Mock Island" of Atlas map 22; the present camp was opposite in Lyman County, South Dakota, some four miles above the mouth of Medicine River, or Creek (Lewis and Clark's "Tylors River"). The site would now be inundated by Lake Sharpe (Big Bend Reservoir). Mattison (BB), 260–61; MRC map 39. (back)