The nine engagés are discharged, and they start building a dugout to return to St. Charles. Jean-Baptiste Lepage and René Jusseaume are hired from among the traders at the Knife River Villages. In the evening, Little Raven and his wife visit. Fort Mandan‘s foundation is completed, and a dram of whiskey revives the cold workers.
Settling In
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
While Fort Mandan was constructed, the men slept in small canvas tents. A leather lodge like the one shown above may have provided shelter for Mandan interpreter René Jusseaume and his family.
Hiring Lepage and Jusseaume
Engaged one man, [Nicholas Biddle: Canadian Frenchman who had been with the Chayenne Inds] . . . . Mr. Jessomme [René Jusseaume] with his Squar & Children. come Down to live, as Interpter
—William Clark
Six Hunters Depart
a clear and pleasant morning. Six hunters Set out to Go 20 or 30 miles down the River in a pearogue [pirogue] to good hunting Ground in order to kill meat for the party.
—John Ordway
Laying the Foundation
we continued building. layed the foundation of the other line of huts 4 by 14 feet also. the timber large and heavy.
—John Ordway
Building a Dugout
Set the french who intend to return to build a pirogue
—William Clark
Little Raven and Wife Visit
in the evening the Ka goh ha mi or little ravin Came & brought us on his Squar about 60 Wt. of Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot of Meal &. they Delayed all night— we gave his Squar an ax & a fiew Small articles & himself a piece of Tobacco
—William Clark
Evening Dram
this Evening, being very cold, the Officers had some Whiskey served out to the Men that was on the March which revived them much, & they all Retired to their Huts.—
—Joseph Whitehouse
Weather Diary
Ther. at rise
Weather Wind at Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. 32 fair N. W. 53 fair N. W. wind blew hard all day—Mr. Jessome arrived with his Squaw employed a Frenchman— sent out 6 hunters in a Perogue—
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” and “River Feet” columns and spelled out some abbreviations.
Fort Mandan is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation manages a modern reconstruction and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located at US Hwy 83 and ND Hwy 200A.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. A unit of the National Park System, the site is located at 564 County Road 37, one-half mile north of Stanton, North Dakota. It has exhibits, trails, and a visitor center.
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 “day of the month” and “River Feet” columns and spelled out some abbreviations. |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
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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This site is provided as a public service by the
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with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
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- Yellowstone Public Radio
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).