At camp above the Great Falls of the Missouri, the iron-framed boat cover is sealed with a mixture of tallow, beeswax, and charcoal. Lewis describes the swift fox and thirteen-lined ground squirrel—both new to science. In New Orleans, William Claiborne reports on the health of the prairie dog sent from Fort Mandan.
The Boat Finally Dry
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
Swift Fox
Vulpes velox
Photo by B. Peterson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Paying the Iron-framed Boat
We finished the boat this evening, having covered her with tallow and coal-dust. We called her the Experiment, and expect she will answer our purpose.
—Patrick Gass
Measuring the River Widths
I deturmin take the width of the river at the falls & the Medison river and to take the greater part of the men which Can be Speared to Kill Buffalow for their Skins as well as meat . . . . after takeing the wedth of the river at those Sundery placies I returned thro’ the plains in a direct line to Camp.
—William Clark
Swift Fox
The party who were down with Capt. Clark also killed a small fox which they brought with them. it was a female appeared to give suck, otherwise it is so much like the comm small fox of this country commonly called the kit fox that I should have taken it for a young one of that species; however on closer examination it did apear to differ somewhat
—Meriwether Lewis
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
the men also brought me a living ground squirrel which is something larger than those of the U’ States or those of that kind which are also common here. this is a much hadsomer anamal. like the other it’s principal colour is a redish brown but is marked longitudinally with a much greater number of black or dark bron stripes; the spaces between which is marked by ranges of pure white circular spots
—Meriwether Lewis
Weather Diary
State of the thermometer at rise
Weather at Wind at State of the Thermometer at 4 P.M. Weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. State of the river 60 [above 0] fair S W. 78 [above 0] fair after rain S. W. fallen ¼ in. I finish taking the hight of the falls of the Missouri
—Meriwether Lewis and William Clark[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “State of the river” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.
Lewis’s Fort Mandan Specimens
July 8th. 1805 At Nw. Orleans
Dear Sir [Thomas Jefferson],
. . . . .
The little animal mentioned in my Letter of the 6th is now much better in health, & I hope will live.—The Peltry has been aired, cleansed, & will in this Day be repacked.
I am Dr Sir, With great respect yr faithful friend
William C. C. Claiborne[3]Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-2045 [originally from The Papers of Thomas Jefferson].
The Great Falls Portage is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. It includes Sulpher Spring (open to the public) and Lower Portage Camp site (private land), and the Upper Portage Camp Overlook.
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, merged the “State of the river” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations. |
| ↑3 | Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-2045 [originally from The Papers of Thomas Jefferson]. |
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).