Good humor left behind
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Good Humor Island near present Pierre, South Dakota, a council with the Lakota Sioux brings diplomatic speeches, a military parade, and gifts. During a tour of the barge, relationships sour. When the captains try to disembark, weapons are raised, and Clark draws his sword.
Prairie dog town
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The captains climb Old Baldy—presently called the Tower in South Dakota—and everybody but the camp guard visits a nearby prairie dog town. The enlisted men pour barrels and kettles of water down burrow holes and eventually catch one as a specimen. Pvt. Shannon is still missing.
Sgt. Floyd taken ill
by Kristopher K. Townsend
During a council with some Otoes near present Homer, Nebraska, speeches and gifts are exchanged, but the Otoes appear dissatisfied with their gifts. Sgt. Floyd becomes seriously ill and requires urgent care.
Trial and punishment
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Fish Camp near present Homer, Nebraska, Drouillard’s party returns with deserter Pvt. Reed and some Otoes. At the ensuing trial, Reed is found guilty and sentenced to run a gauntlet four times. The Otoes witnessing the punishment ask for mercy. To celebrate Lewis’s birthday, the enlisted men are given an extra gill of whiskey.
A sudden storm
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Below present Langdon, Missouri, the expedition encounters a sudden storm, and the enlisted men and engagés must jump into the water to save the boats. When an elk is wounded, Lewis’s dog, Seaman, joins the chase. Before stopping for the day, they pass an old Otoe and Pawnee trading post.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with additional funding from the following:
