North of present Atchison, Kansas, a swivel gun is fired, an extra gill of whiskey is issued, and Independence Creek is named to honor the Fourth of July. Pvt. Joseph Field is bitten by a snake.
Independence Creek
From an interpretive sign at Independence Creek near Atchinson, Kansas. Photo by Kristopher Townsend.
Field’s Snake Bite
a Snake bit Jo: Fields on the Side of his foot which Swelled much . . . . which was quickly doctered with Bark by Cap Lewis.
—William Clark
Independence Day
pass a Creek on the L. S. about 15 yards wide cuming out of an extensive Prarie as this Creek has no name, and this day is the 4th of July, we name this Independence us. [U.S.] Creek
as this Creek has no name, and this being . . . the 4th of July the day of the independance of the U. S. call it 4th of July 1804 Creek
—William Clark
Fine Plain
the plans one of the most beautiful places I ever Saw in my life, open and beautifully Diversified with hills & vallies all presenting themselves to the River,
—John Ordway
Day’s Closing
we Closed the [day] by a Discharge from our bow piece, an extra Gill of whiskey.
—William Clark
Weather Diary
a great number of young geese and swan in a like oposit to the mouth of the 4th of July Creek, in this lake are also abundances of fish of various species. the pike [hap?] catt, sunfish &c &c perch Carp, or buffaloe fish,—
—Meriwether Lewis
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.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- 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).