Search Results for: Fort Clatsop

March 8, 1806

The elk return

Fort Clatsop, OR John Collins kills three elk and reports seeing two herds. The captains write of the sick men’s recovery, and Lewis describes the lesser snow goose.

 

March 7, 1806

Aquatic birds of Fort Clatsop

Fort Clatsop, OR Lewis briefly describes aquatic birds: four seagull species, the black cormorant, Arctic loon, and western grebe. Bratton’s back pain worsens, and the elk hunters have a little success.

 

March 6, 1806

Coboway and sons

Fort Clatsop, OR Coboway and two of his children bring cooked eulachon to Fort Clatsop, pleasing the captains. Detachments are sent to hunt and fish, several men are sick, and Lewis lists the aquatic birds of the area.

 

March 5, 1806

Youngs River Falls

Fort Clatsop, OR Hunters report that the elk have vacated the area. The captains conceive a plan to leave Fort Clatsop early should they run out of provisions. Hunters find a large waterfall, today’s Youngs River Falls.

 

March 4, 1806

Sumptuous living

Fort Clatsop, OR The captains describe the Indian methods of preserving and cooking eulachon and sturgeon. Lewis discusses meadowlarks and jays.

 

March 3, 1806

Lewis's three "pheasants"

Fort Clatsop, OR A routine has settled in, and they are counting the days when they can return home. Lewis describes three species of pheasants known today as grouse.

 

March 2, 1806

Anchovies, sturgeon, and wapato

Fort Clatsop, OR Drouillard arrives with eulachon, sturgeon, and wapato, a welcome change from their poor diet of lean and rotting elk meat. Lewis describes the sage grouse.

 

February 27, 1806

Packrats, new to science

Fort Clatsop, OR R. Field reports that the elk in the vicinity of Point Adams have left the area. Lewis describes the bushy-tailed woodrat, or packrat, new to science.

 

February 26, 1806

The sewelel (mountain beaver)

Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR Lewis describes the elusive rodent presently named the mountain beaver. Three men head up the Columbia to fish or trade for sturgeon and eulachon. Others are sent out to hunt for elk.

 

February 25, 1806

Western gray squirrel

Fort Clatsop, OR With rain and violent winds, there is little movement today. Lewis describes the western gray squirrel, new to science.

 

February 21, 1806

All salt makers return

Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR Having ceased operations at the salt works, all the salt makers return to the fort. Lewis describes the Oregon bobcat and fisher.

 

February 19, 1806

Columbian black-tailed deer

Fort Clatsop, OR Ordway faces frozen rain and blowing sand as his party hikes towards the salt makers’ camp. Lewis describes the Columbian black-tailed deer and Gass’s detachment brings in several elk. In Washington City, President Jefferson gives Congress a letter from Lewis, a map by Clark, and the Estimate of Eastern Indians.

 

February 18, 1806

Chinookan traders

Fort Clatsop, OR Chinookan traders arrive with woven hats and furs to sell. Whitehouse shows Clark his bobcat robe, and Ordway’s attempt to reach the salt works fails.

 

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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).