The expedition moves from their island camp several miles down the Clearwater River to their canoe camp across from the Nez Perce Village of Ahsahka. Several are sick, and Clark finds the axes are not the right type for building canoes.
Setting Up Canoe Camp
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
Ahsahka Village
Where the North Fork of the Clearwater meets the Clearwater
Image courtesy of the National Park Service, Nez Perce National Historical Park. Nakia Williamson-Cloud, artist.
Moving Down the Clearwater
we Set out and proceeded on down the River crossed a creek, then crossed the River at a shole place the water to the horses belleys. we proceeded on down the South Side and formed an Encampment opposite the little River which came in on the N. E. Side on a narrow plain thinly covd. with pitch pine timber.
—John Ordway
Setting Up Canoe Camp
We formed our Camp in a narrow plain, on the bank of the Main fork, and made a Pen of Pine bushes round the Officers lodge, to put the baggage in.
—Joseph Whitehouse
“Butterfly” Belt Axe c. 1780
From the private collection of Peyton C. Clark. Photo 1 August 2011 by Kristopher K. Townsend.
Poorly Calculated Axes
had the axes distributed and handled and men apotned. [apportioned] ready to commence building canoes on tomorrow, our axes are Small & badly Calculated to build Canoes of the large Pine
—William Clark
Sick Men
Capt Lewis Still very unwell, Several men taken Sick on the way down, I administered Salts Pils Galip, Tarter emetic &c. I feel unwell this evening
—William Clark
Camp Followers
two Chiefs & their families follow us and encamp near us, they have great numbers of horses. This day proved verry hot, we purchase fresh Salmon of the Indians.
—William Clark
Weather Diary
Weather at rise
Wind at Weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. fair E fair S W. Form a Camp at the forks
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column and spelled out some abbreviations.
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. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column and spelled out some abbreviations. |
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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).