Day-by-Day / May 23, 1804

May 23, 1804

Lewis escapes death

Lewis climbs the pinnacles of Tavern Rock, slips, and manages to escape with the help of his knife. In Tavern Cave, Clark adds his name among the graffiti left by earlier travelers. In the area, the boats struggle against a swift current, and Lewis collects a specimen of indigo (Amorpha fruticosa).

Lewis’s Close Call

Capt Lewis’ assended the hill which has peninsulis projecting in raged points to the river, and was near falling from a Peninsulia . . . . Saved himself by the assistance of his Knife
—William Clark

Kickapoo Hunters

8 Indians Kick [Kickapoo]: Came to Camp with meat we recved their pesents of 3 Deer & gave them Whisky:
William Clark

Tough Going

Set out early run on a log: under water and Detained one hour proceeded on the Same Course of last night, (2 miles) passed the mouth of a creek on the Sbd. Side called Woman of Osage River about 30 yds. over, abounding in fish . . . . the water excessively Swift to day . . . . hard water all Day
—William Clark

Arms Inspection

In the evening our officers inspected our Arms and accoutrements.
Joseph Whitehouse

 

Tavern Cave Graffiti

many people Came to See us, we passed a large Cave on the Lbd. Side about 120 feet wide 40 feet Deep & 20 feet high many different immages are Painted on the Rock at this place. the Inds & French pay omage. many nams are wrote on the rock [Mine among others]
—William Clark

 

Lost Specimen No. 3

No. 3. Was taken on the 23rd of May 1804, near the mouth of the Osage Woman’s creek, it is a srub and resembles much in growth the bladder scenna, it rises to hight of eight or ten feet and is an inhabitant of a moist rich soil.— it is a handsome Shrub.
Meriwether Lewis

This specimen was among the ones sent east in April 1805 that are now lost. Two specimens of this plant, collected elsewhere, survive.[1]See Moulton, Herbarium No. 8. Moulton identifies this lost specimen as “Amorpha fruiticosa, false indigo.” Gary E. Moulton, ed. Journals, “Fort Mandan Miscellany”, vol 3:451, … Continue reading

 

Notes

Notes
1 See Moulton, Herbarium No. 8. Moulton identifies this lost specimen as “Amorpha fruiticosa, false indigo.” Gary E. Moulton, ed. Journals, “Fort Mandan Miscellany”, vol 3:451, 466.

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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.