Clark: July 12, 1804

July 12th Thursday Som hunters out on the S. S. those on the L. S. did not
return last night, our object in delaying here is to tak Some Observations
and rest the men who are much fatigued made Sundery observations, after an
early Brackfast I took five men and went up the River Ne Ma har about
three miles, to an open leavel part of an emence prarie, at the Mouth of a
Small Creek on the Lower Side, I went on Shore, & passed thro the
plain passed Several noles to the top of a high artificial Noal from the
top of this noal I had an emence, extensive & pleaseing prospect, of
the Countrey around, I could See the meandering of the Little River for at
least 10 miles winding thro a meadow of 15 or 20000 acres of high bottom
land covered with Grass about 41/2 feet high, the high lands which rose
irregularly, & were toped with Mounds or antent Graves which is to me
a Strong evidence of this Countrey haveing been thickly Settled-.This
River is about 80 yards wide with a gentle Current and heads up near the
Parnee Village on River Blue a branch of Kansas, a little timbered land
near the mouth for 1 mile above, only a fiew Trees, and thickets of Plumbs
Cheres &c are Seen on its banks the Creeks & little reveens
makeing into the river have also Some timberI got grapes on the
banks nearly ripe, observed great quantities, of Grapes, plums Crab apls
and a wild Cherry, Growing like a Comn. Wild Cherry only larger &
grows on a Small bush, on the side of a clift Sand Stone 1/2 me. up &
on Lower Side I marked my name & day of the month near an Indian Mark
or Image of animals & a boat Tried Willard for Sleeping on his post,
our hunters killed some Deer, Saw Elk & Buffalow.

—

July 12th, Thursday 1804 Concluded to Delay here to day with a view of
takeing equal altitudes & makeing observations as well as refreshing
our men who are much fatiguedafter an early Brackfast I with five
men in a Perogue assended the River Ne-Ma-haw about 2 miles to the mouth
of a Small Creek on the Lower Side, here I got out of the Perogue, after
going to Several Small Mounds in a leavel plain, I assended a hill on the
Lower Side, on this hill Several Artificial Mounds were raised, from the
top of the highest of those Mounds I had an extensive view of the
Serounding Plains, which afforded one of the most pleasing prospects I
ever beheld, under me a Butifull River of Clear water of about 80 yards
wide Meandering thro a leavel and extensive Meadow, as far as I could See,
the prospect Much enlivened by the fine Trees & Srubs which is
bordering the bank of the river, and the Creeks & runs falling into
it,-. The bottom land is covered with Grass of about 41/2 feet high, and
appears as leavel as a Smoth Surfice, the 2 bottom is also covered with
Grass and rich weeds & flours, interspersed with Copses of the Osage
Plumb. on the riseing lands, Small groves of trees are Seen, with a
numbers of Grapes and a Wild Cherry resembling the Common Wild Cherry,
only larger and grows on a Small bush on the tops of those hills in every
derection. I observed artifical mounds (or as I may more justly term
Graves) which to me is a Strong indication of this Country being once
Thickly Settled. (The Indians of the Missouris Still Keep up the Custom of
Burrying their dead on high ground) after a ramble of about two miles
about I returned to the perogue and decended down the River, gathd. Som
grapes nearly ripe, on a Sandstone Bluff about 1/4 of a mile from its
mouth on the Lower Side I observed Some Indian marks, went to the rock
which jutted over the water and marked my name & the day of the month
& yearThis river heads near one of the Villages of the Pania on
the River Blue, a branch of the Kansas River.above this river about
half a mile the Prarie Comes to the Missouri after my return to Camp on
the Island Completed Som observations, Tred tried a man for sleeping on
his Post & inspected the arms amunition &c. of the party found all
complete, Took Some Luner Obsevations. three Deer killed to day. Latd. 39°
55′ 56″ N.

[Lewis and Clark, July 12, 1804]

Camp New Island July 12th 1804. A Court matial consisting of the two
commanding officers will convene this day at 1 OCk. P.M. for the trial of
such prisoners as may be brought before them; one of the court will act as
judge Advocate. M. Lewis Wm. Clark

The Commanding officers. Capt. M. Lewis & W. Clark constituted
themselves a Court martial for the trial of Such prisoners as are Guilty
of Capatol Crimes, and under the rules and articles of War punishable by
Death,

Alexander Willard was brought foward Charged with “Lying down and Sleeping
on his post whilst a Sentinal, on the night of the 11th. Instant” (by John
Ordway Sergeant of the Guard)

To this Charge the prisoner pleads. Guilty of Lying Down, and not Guilty,
of Going to Sleep. The Court after Duly Considering the evidence aduced,
are of oppinion that the Prisoner Alexdn. Willard is guilty of every part
of the Charge exhibited against him. it being a breach of the rules and
articles of War (as well as tending to the probable distruction of the
party) do Sentence him to receive One hundred lashes on his bear back, at
four different times in equal propation.and order that the
punishment Commence this evening at Sunset, and Continue to be inflicted,
(by the Guard) every evening untill Completed Wm Clark M. Lewis