Clark: May 17, 1804

Thursday the 17th 1804 a fine Day 3 men Confined for misconduct, I had a
Court martial & punishment Several Indians, who informed me that the
Saukees had lately Crossed to war against the Osage Nation Som
aplicasions, I took equal altitudes made the m a. to be 84° 39′ 15″
measured the Missouries at this place and made it 720 yards wide, in
Banks. a Boat came up this evening, I punished Hall agreeable to his
Sentence in part, a fine after noon; Suped with Mr. Ducett an agreeable
man more agreeable Lady, this Gentleman has a Delightfull Situation &
garden.

—

May the 17th Thursday 1804 a fair day Compelled to punish for misconduct.
Several Kickapoos Indians Visit me to day, George Drewyer arrive. Took
equal altitudes of Suns L L made it 84° 39′ 15″ ap T. Measured the river
found it to be 720 yards wide, a Keel Boat Came up to daySeveral of
the inhabitents Came abord to day receved Several Speces of Vegatables
from the inhabitents to day

[Ordway, May 17, 1804] Orders St. Charles Thursdy the 17th of May 1804- a
Sergeant and four men of the Party destined for the Missourri Expidition
will convene at 11 oClock to day on the quarter Deck of the Boat, and form
themselves into a Court martial to hear and determine (in behalf of the
Capt.) the evidences aduced against William Warner & Hugh Hall for
being absent last night without leave; contrary to orders;-& John
Collins 1st for being absent without leave2nd for behaveing in an
unbecomeing manner at the Ball last night3rdly for Speaking in a
language last night after his return tending to bring into disrespect the
orders of the Commanding officer

Signd. W. Clark Comdg.

Detail for Court martial

Segt. John Ordway Prs.

members
R. Fields
R. Windsor
J. Whitehouse
Jo. Potts

The Court convened agreeable to orders on the 17th of May 1804 Sgt. John
Ordway P. members Joseph Whitehouse Rueben Fields Potts Richard Windsor
after being duly Sworn the Court proceded to the trial of William Warner
& Hugh Hall on the following Charges Viz: for being absent without
leave last night contrary to orders, to this Charge the Prisoners plead
Guilty. The Court one of oppinion that the Prisoners Warner & Hall are
Both Guilty of being absent from camp without leave it being a breach of
the Rules and articles of war and do Sentence them Each to receive
twentyfive lashes on their naked back, but the Court recommend them from
their former Good conduct, to the mercy of the commanding officer.at
the Same court was tried John Collins Charged 1st for being absent without
leave2d. for behaveing in an unbecomming manner at the ball last
night idly for Speaking in a languguage after his return to camp tending
to bring into disrespect the orders of the Commanding officerThe
Prisoner Pleads Guilty to the first Charge but not Guilty to the two last
chrges.after mature deliberation & agreeable to the evidence
aduced. The Court are of oppinion that the Prisnair is Guilty of all the
charges alledged against him it being a breach of the rules & articles
of War and do Sentence him to receive fifty lashes on his naked backThe
Commanding officer approves of the proceedings & Desicon of the Court
martial and orders that the punishment of John Collins take place this
evening at Sun Set in the Presence of the Party.The punishment
ordered to be inflicted on William Warner & Hugh Hall, is remitted
under the assurence arriveing from a confidence which the Commanding
officer has of the Sincerity of the recommendation from the Court.after
the punishment, Warner Hall & Collins will return to their squads and
Duty

The Court is Disolved.

Sign. Wm. Clark