The expedition passes old Fort Charles, a starting point for James Mackay‘s exploration of the upper Missouri. They camp on a sandbar east of present Homer, Nebraska. Men are sent to Tonwantonga to invite the Omahas to a council.
Dispatched Men to Omaha Village
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
Tonwantonga (Omaha Big Village)
Photo provided by the U.S. National Park Service.
Mackay’s Fort Charles
Mr. Mackey [James Mackay] had a Small fort in which he traded withe the Mahars [Omahas] the winter 95 & 96 & call the place Fort Charles
—William Clark
Fish Camp Arrival
at the fish camp Neer the Mahars Village at 4 oclock this day the Commanding Officer Sent a Serjt. & 4 Men with a white flagg, to the Village to Invite them to Come to a treaty
—Joseph Whitehouse
Reaching Tonwantonga
I and 3 more of the party went out to the Village or to the place where it formely Stood. we passed through high Grass . . . . which was verry fatigueing for the high Grass Sunflowers & thistles &C all of which were above 10 feet high . . . .
—John Ordway
Empty Omaha Village
we came to where their had been a village of about 300 Cabbins called the Mahar village. it was burned about 4 years ago immediately after near half the Nation died with the Small pox, which was as I was informed about 400, we found none of the natives about the place they were out hunting the Buffelow,
—John Ordway
Omaha Big Village is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Also called Ton won tonga, the Omaha Big Village archeological site can be viewed from a pull-off along U.S. 75.
Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
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Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).