Lewis: September 16, 1804

Sunday September 16th 1804. This morning set out at an early hour, and
come too at 1/2 after 7 A.M. on the Lard. Shore 11/4 miles above the mouth
of a small creek which we named Corvus, in consequence of having kiled a
beatiful bird of that genus near it we concluded to ly by at this place
the ballance of this day and the next, in order to dry our baggage which
was wet by the heavy showers of rain which had fallen within the last
three days, and also to lighten the boat by transfering a part of her
lading to the red perogue, which we now determined to take on with us to
our winter residence wherever that might be; while some of the men were
imployed in this necessary labour others were dressing of skins washing
and mending their cloaths &c. Capt. Clark and myself kiled each a buck
immediately on landing near our encampment; the deer were very gentle and
in great numbers on this bottom which had more timber on it than any part
of the river we had seen for many days past, consisting of Cottonwood Elm,
some indifferent ash and a considerable quanty of a small species of white
oak which is loaded with acorns of an excellent flavor very little of the
bitter roughness of the nuts of most species of oak, the leaf of this oak
is small pale green and deeply indented, it seldom rises higher than
thirty feet is much branched, the bark is rough and thick and of a light
colour; the cup which contains the acorn is fringed on it’s edges and
imbraces the nut about one half; the acorns were now falling, and we
concluded that the number of deer which we saw here had been induced
thither by the acorns of which they are remarkably fond. almost every
species of wild game is fond of the acorn, the Buffaloe Elk, deer, bear,
turkies, ducks, pigegians and even the wolves feed on them; we sent three
hunters out who soon added eight deer and two Buffaloe to our strock of
provisions; the Buffaloe were so pour that we took only the tongues skins
and marrow bones; the skins were particularly acceptable as we were in
want of a covering for the large perogue to secure the baggage; the clouds
during this day and night prevented my making any observations. Sergt.
Gass and Reubin Fields whom we had sent out yesterday to explore the White
river returnd at four oclock this day and reported that they had foil
meanders of that stream about 12 miles r’s general course West, the
present or principal channel iro yards wide; the coulour of the water and
rapidity and manner of runing resembled the Missouri presisely; the
country broken on the border of the river about a mile, when the level
planes commence and extend as far as the eye can reach on either side; as
usual no timber appeared except such as from the steep declivities of
hills, or their moist situations, were sheltered from the effects of the
fire. these extensive planes had been lately birnt and the grass had
sprung up and was about three inches high. vast herds of Buffaloe deer Elk
and Antilopes were seen feeding in every direction as far as the eye of
the observer could reach.