November 9, 1803
Cumberland River islands
On or near this date the expedition approaches the numerous islands above the Cumberland River. Fortescue Cuming and Thomas Rodney describe the islands and a Native family living in this area.
Zadok Cramer
November 6, 1803
The Saline River
On or near this date, the expedition passes the Saline River. In 1807, Fortescue Cuming would describe the river’s mouth and a salt works about 20 miles up the river.
November 3, 1803
Henderson hazards
On or near this date, the expedition passes Henderson, Kentucky. The town and river hazards in the area leave an unfavorable impression with contemporaneous traveler Thomas Rodney.
October 9, 1803
Young islands
Lewis travels between Big Bone Lick and the Falls of the Ohio where William Clark is expecting him. Fellow traveler Thomas Rodney describes that section of the Ohio River with its “young” islands.
September 20, 1803
Guyandotte Rivers
On or near this day, Lewis passes present Guyan Creek and speeds through a narrow section of the Ohio River. He would encounter an “ugly” riffle at the mouth of the Guyandotte River.
September 18, 1803
Letart Falls
The expedition heads out down the Ohio before sunrise. They safely pass a rapid near the present community of Letart Falls, and Lewis writes his last journal entry until 11 November 1803.
September 12, 1803
Cutting a channel
To pass through a shallow spot in the Long Reach of the Ohio, the crew must cut a channel through the gravel. They anchor about nine miles upstream from Marietta, Ohio.
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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