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December
21, 1803
Clark Begins to Construct His Own Quarters
After moving the men into their winter accommodations the
previous day, Clark began construction of his own quarters.
The hunters continued to have success.
Wednesday 21st Decr. Cloudy Day the
waggoner charged me three Dollars for his Services yesterday,
Send out Shield & Floyd to hunt to day, they Kill 7 Turkeys
verry fat, I commence puting up the Logs for my huts today—
water fall verry fast.
Sources: Osgood, 5; Moulton 2:139. |
December
22, 1803
New Recruits, and an Offer of Help
Of the eight men sent from Tennessee, four were rejected
outright, and Clark was not happy with the quality of the
others. An offer of help arrived from Swiss-born Canadian
fur trader Charles Gratiot, who proved valuable to the expedition
during the whole winter.
Thursday 22nd Decr. 1803
a verry great Sleat this morning, the river Coverd with
running Ice, and falls verry fast 15 inches last night the
boat aground in the Creek, I had pries [wedges] fixed along
to Support the boat, and all the heavy articles taken out
in front & Center and Sto[w]ed under a guard on the
bank— mist of rain, which prevents our doeing much
to our huts today, at 3oClock Drewyer & 8 men 2 horses
arrive from Tennessee, those men are not such as I was told
was in readiness at Tennessee for this Comd & &.
recvd a Letter from Cap Lewis also one from Mr. Gratiot
offering a horse and his Services to Cap L; & myself
in any way
Sources: Osgood, 8, 193; Moulton 2:139. |
December
23, 1803
Clark Meets a Delaware Chief from His Past
Both Lewis and Clark fought in General Anthony Wayne’s
1793-4 campaign north of the Ohio that ended in the Battle
of Fallen Timbers. Clark was present at the August 1795
signing of the Treaty of Greenville, at which the Northern
Indians ceded large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
One of the Indian visitors to Camp Dubois had also been
at the treaty signing.
Friday 23rd December 1803
a raney Day continue to put up my huts the men much fatigued
Carrying logs, I Send to Mr. Morrisons farm for a Teem &
Corn, which arivd about 3 oClock, a raney Desagreeable day
Mr. Griffeth Came down from his farm with a Load of Turnips
&c. as a present to me, Drewyear Came home to day after
a hunt, he Killed three Deer, & left them in the woods,
the Ice run to day Several Deleaway pass, a chief whome
I saw at Greenville Treaty, I gave him a bottle of whiskey,
the water falls fast, the boat Sup[porte]d by Skids. Set
the Detachment latterly arrived to build them a hut.
Sources: Osgood, 8, 193; Moulton 2:140. |
December
24, 1803
Turnips, Deer, Turkeys, Butter
Clark was busy laying up stores for winter.
Satturday 24th Decr. Cloudy morning, I purchase a Cargo
of Turnips for 3/—a bushel of Mr. Gririffeth, men Continue
to put up & Cover the necessary huts, Drewyear returned
with 3 Deer and 5 Turkeys I send Shields with Mr. Griffeth
to purchase me some butter on the other Side of the river
i[n] the folks, finish Covering our huts this evening—
two French Perogues pass up the river to day, and peregoue
with black guard American, passed down the river, The Indian
Come in with a Deer this evening a French man who passed
up to day told me that a man of abt. 30 years of age well
acquainted with the Missoures for 8 years, wished to go
with me, but was afraid that the Comdt. Should Know of it
his name is Lackduer Besernnet [Ladouceur Bissonette]
Sources: Osgood, 8, 193; Moulton 2:140 |
December
25, 1803
Christmas at Camp Dubois
Christmas Day was marked by an early morning gun salute,
and by heavy drinking and high spirits.
Christmas 25th Decr I was
wakened by a Christmas discharge & found that Some of
the party had got Drunk the men frolicked and hunted all
day, Snow this morning, Ice run all day, Several Turkey
Killed Shields returned with a cheese & 4 lb butter,
Three Indians Come to day to take Christmas with us, I gave
them a bottle of whiskey and they went off after informing
me that a great talk had been held and that all the nations
were going to war against the Ozous [Osage?] in 3 months,
one informed me that a English man 16 ms. from here told
him that the Americans had the Countrey and no one was allowed
to trade &c. I explained the Intention of Govmt to him,
and the Caus of the possession, Drewyear Says he will go
with us, at the rate of[ferre]d and will go to Massac to
Settle his matters.
Sources: Osgood, 8, 194; Moulton 2:140. |
December
26, 1803
A Normal Day
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The details in Clark’s field notes show the beginning
of a regular routine.
December 26th Monday—
a Cloudy day one of my party Killed 7 Turkeys last night
at roost— Continue working at the huts— The
Ice run, This day is moderate, two men Willard and Corpl.
Roberson Came home to day at about 11 oClock, Corpl White
house & York Comc [commenced] sawing with the whip
Saws— nothing material—
Sources: Osgood, 8, 194; Moulton 2:141
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December
27, 1803
A Dry Day at Camp
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Clearing weather allowed Clark to dry out clothes and
stores.
The trumpeter swan by John James Audubon, The Birds
of America, 1838.
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Black bears by John James Audubon,
Quadrupeds of North America, 1845.
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December 27th Tuesday—
a fair day I put out Blankets goods &c &c to dry
and Stored them in the Store room apparently in good order
nearly finish my Chimney to day missed my observation—
at abt. 3 oClock to day three Frenchmen in a Pierogue
Came down pursuing a Swan which they had wounded Some
distance above, the Swan swa[m] as fast as they Could
row their Pierogue and I thought reather gained on the
pierogue as they passed— they Cought it 2 m below.
I send home the Cart & oxen, sent out Drewyer to hnt
to day, early— he returned Late with a Buck, he Saw
three Bar [black bear] on the other Side of the Prarie
Sources: Osgood 8, 194; Moulton 2:142.
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