Day-by-Day / August 18, 1804

August 18, 1804

The Omahas arrive

Fish Camp, Homer, NE Drouillard‘s party returns with deserter Moses Reed, and the Omahas arrive for a council. Reed is found guilty of desertion and receives his punishment.

Pvt. Moses B. Reed, Guilty[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

Incoming Indians and Deserter

G. Drewyer & the other 2 men Returned. brought with them Reed the deserter, likewise a the Big chief of the Zottaus [The Otoes] called the Big horse, and another chief called petevaliar, of Missouri, & a Frenchman & 7 of the wariers came for the purpose of treating with the Mahas [The Omahas] &C—
John Ordway

Reed’s Trial and Punishment

proceeded to the trail of Reed, he Confessed that he “Deserted & Stold a public Rifle Shot-pouch Powder & Bals” and requested we would be as favourable with him as we Could consistantly with our Oathes—which we were and only Sentenced him to run the Gantlet four times through the Party & that each man with 9 Swichies Should punish him and for him not to be considered in future as one of the Party—
William Clark

Petition for a Pardon

The three principal Chiefs petitioned for Pardin for this man [Reed]

After we explained the injurey Such men could doe them by false representation, & explang. the Customs of our Countrey they were all Satisfied with the propriety of the Sentence & was witness to the punishment.
—William Clark

Otoe-Omaha War

we had Some talk with the Chiefs about the orrigan of the war between them & the Mahars &c. &c.— it commenced in this way i’e’ in two of the Missouries Tribe resideing with the Ottoes went to the Mahars to Steel horses, they Killed them both which was a cause of revenge on the part of the Missouris & Ottoes, they also brought war on themselves Nearly in the Same way with the Panea Loups [Pawnees]

. . . .

they are greatly in fear of a just revenge from the Panies for takeing their Corn from the Pania Towns in their absence hunting this Summer.
—William Clark

Celebrating Lewis’s Birthday

the evening was Closed with an extra Gill of Whiskey . . . . had a Dance which lasted untile 11 oClock, the Close of Cap Lewis Birthday.
—William Clark

 

Notes

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.

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.