Nez Perce Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

The Nez Perce and the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:27:40 +0000

Pinkham, a Nez Perce elder and tribal historian, and Evans present the Nez Perce people’s own understanding of their critical encounter with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in September 1805. The article describes how the starving, exhausted Corps of Discovery stumbled out of the Bitterroot Mountains into Nez Perce territory and received life-saving hospitality from the Nimiipuu people. Drawing on oral traditions, the authors explain the Nez Perce decision to aid rather than attack the strangers, crediting Watkuweis, an elderly woman who had been captured by enemies and later lived among white people in Canada, with urging her people to treat the newcomers kindly. The article details the month-long stay among the Nez Perce during the spring of 1806, the care of the expedition’s horse herd, and the cultural exchanges that occurred. The authors also address the painful irony that the Nez Perce’s generosity was ultimately repaid with dispossession and the 1877 Nez Perce War.

The post The Nez Perce and the Lewis and Clark Expedition appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: July 1, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:38 +0000

Tuesday July 1st 1806 on Clark’s river We Sent out all the hunters very
early this morning by 12 OClock they all returned haveing killd. 12 Deer
Six of them large fat Bucks, this is like once more returning to the land
of liveing a plenty of meat and that very good. as Capt. Lewis and Myself
part at this place we make a division of our party and such baggage and
provisions as is Souteable. the party who will accompany Capt L. is G.
Drewyer, Sergt. Gass, Jo. & R. Fields, Frazier & Werner, and
Thompson Goodrich & McNear as far as the Falls of Missouri at which
place the 3 latter will remain untill I Send down the Canoes from the head
of Jeffersons river. they will then join that party and after passing the
portage around the falls, proceed on down to the enterance of Maria where
Capt. Lewis will join them after haveing assended that river as high up as
Laid. 50° North. from the head of Jeffersons river I shall proceed on to
the head of the Rockejhone with a party of 9 or 10 men and desend that
river. from the R Rockejhone I Shall dispatch Sergt. Pryor with the horses
to the Mandans and from thence to the Tradeing Establishments of the N. W.
Co on the Assinniboin River with a letter which we have written for the
purpose to engage Mr. H. Haney to endeaver to get Some of the principal
Chiefs of the Scioux to accompany us to the Seat of our government &.
we divide the Loading and apportion the horses. Capt L. only takes 17
horses with him, 8 only of which he intends to take up the Maria &c.
One of the Indians who accompaned us Swam Clarks river and examined the
Country around, on his return he informed us that he had discovered where
a Band of the Tushepaws had encamped this Spring passed of 64 Lodges,
& that they had passed Down Clarks river and that it was probable that
they were near the quawmash flatts on a Easterly branch of that river.
those guides expressed a desire to return to their nation and not
accompany us further, we informed them that if they was deturmined to
return we would kill some meat for them, but wished that they would
accompy Capt. Lewis on the rout to the falls of Missouri only 2 nights and
show him the right road to cross the Mountains. this they agreed to do. we
gave a medal of the Small Size to the young man Son to the late Great
Chief of the Chopunnish Nation who had been remarkably kind to us in every
instance, to all the others we tied a bunch of blue ribon about the hair,
which pleased them very much. the Indian man who overtook us in the
Mountain, presented Capt. Lewis with a horse and said that he opened his
ears to what we had said, and hoped that Cap Lewis would see the
Crovanters of Fort De Prarie and make a good peace that it was their
desire to be at peace. Shew them the horse as a token of their wishes
&c.

The post Clark: July 1, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Lewis: June 27, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:37 +0000

Friday June 27th 1806. We collected our horses early and set out. the road
still continued on the heights of the same dividing ridge on which we had
traveled yesterday for nine miles or to our encampment of the 18th of
September last. about one mile short of this encampment on an elivated
point we halted by the request of the Indians a few minutes and smoked the
pipe. on this eminence the natives have raised a conic mound of stones of
6 or eight feet high and on it’s summit erected a pine pole of 15 feet
long from hence they informed us that when passing over with their familes
some of the men were usually sent on foot by the fishery at the entrance
of Colt Creek in order to take fish and again met the main party at the
Quawmash glade on the head of the Kooskooske river. from this place we had
an extensive view of these stupendous mountains principally covered with
snow like that on which we stood; we were entirely surrounded by those
mountains from which to one unacquainted with them it would have seemed
impossible ever to have escaped; in short without the assistance of our
guides I doubt much whether we who had once passed them could find our way
to Travellers rest in their present situation for the marked trees on
which we had placed considerable reliance are much fewer and more
difficult to find than we had apprehended. these fellows are most
admireable pilots; we find the road wherever the snow has disappeared
though it be only for a few hundred paces. after smoking the pipe and
contemplating this seene sufficient to have damp the sperits of any except
such hardy travellers as we have become, we continued our march and at the
distance of 3 ms. decended a steep mountain and passed two small branches
of the Chopunnish river just above their forks and again ascended the
ridge on which we passed several miles and at a distance of 7 ms. arrived
at our encampment of September near which we passed 3 small branches of
the Chopunnish river and again ascended to the dividing ridge on which we
continued nine miles when the ridge became lower and we arrived at a
situation very similar to our encampment of the last evening tho the ridge
was somewhat higher and the snow had not been so long desolved of course
there was but little grass. here we encamped for the night having traveled
28 miles over these mountains without releiving the horses from their
packs or their having any food. the indians inform us that there is an
abundance of the mountain sheep or what they call white buffaloe. we saw
three black-tailed or mule deer this evening but were unable to get a
shoot at them. we also saw several tracks of those animals in the snow.
the indians inform that there is great abundance of Elk in the vally about
the Fishery on the Kooskooske River. our meat being exhausted we issued a
pint of bears oil to a mess which with their boiled roots made an
agreeable dish. Potts’s legg which has been much swolen and inflamed for
several days is much better this evening and gives him but little pain. we
applyed the pounded roots and leaves of the wild ginger & from which
he found great relief.neare our encampment we saw a great number of
the yellow lilly with reflected petals in blume; this plant was just as
forward here at this time as it was in the plains on the 10th of may.

The post Lewis: June 27, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: June 27, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:37 +0000

Friday June 27th 1806 We collected our horses early and Set out. the road
Still Continue on the hights of the Dividing ridge on which we had
traveled yesterday for 9 Ms. or to our encampment of the 16th Septr. last.
about 1 m. Short of the encampment we halted by the request of the Guides
a fiew minits on an ellevated point and Smoked a pipe on this eminance the
nativs have raised a conic mound of Stons of 6 or 8 feet high and erected
a pine pole of 15 feet long. from hence they informed us that when passing
over with their families some of the men were usually Sent on foot by the
fishery at the enterance of Colt Creek in order to take fish and again
meet the party at the quawmash glade on the head of Kooskoske river. from
this place we had an extencive view of these Stupendeous Mountains
principally Covered with Snow like that on which we Stood; we were
entirely Serounded by those mountains from which to one unacquainted with
them it would have Seemed impossible ever to have escaped, in short
without the assistance of our guides, I doubt much whether we who had once
passed them could find our way to Travellers rest in their present
Situation for the marked trees on which we had placed Considerable
reliance are much fewer and more difficuelt to find than we had
apprehended. those indians are most admireable pilots; we find the road
wherever the Snow has disappeared tho it be only for a fiew paces. after
haveing Smoked the pipe and Contemplating this Scene Sufficient to have
dampened the Spirits of any except Such hardy travellers as we have
become, we continued our march and at the dist. Of 3 m. decended a Steep
mountain and passed two Small branches of the Chopunnish river just above
their fok, and again assend the ridge on which we passed. at the distance
of 7 m. arived at our Encampment of 16th Septr. last passed 3 Small
branches passed on a dividing ridge rugid and we arived at a Situation
very Similar to our Situation of last night tho the ridge was Somewhat
higher and the Snow had not been So long disolved of course there was but
little grass. here we Encamped for the night haveing traveled 28 Ms. over
these mountains without releiveing the horses from their packs or their
haveing any food. the Indians inform us that there is an abundance of the
Mountain Sheep, or what they Call white Buffalow on those Mountains. we
Saw 3 black tail or mule deer this evening but were unable to get a Shoot
at them. we also Saw Several tracks of those animals in the snow. our Meat
being exhosted we issued a point of Bears Oil to a mess which with their
boiled roots made an agreeable dish. Jo. Potts leg which had been much
Swelled and inflaimed for several days is much better this evening and
givs him but little pain. we applied the poundd root & leaves of wild
ginger from which he found great relief. Near our encampment we saw great
numbers of the Yellow lilly with reflected petals in blume; this plant was
just as foward here at this time as it was in the plains on the 10th of
May. My head has not pained me so much to day as yesterday and last night.

The post Clark: June 27, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Lewis: June 20, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:35 +0000

Friday June 20th 1806. Our hunters set out early this morning; most of
them returned before noon. R. Feilds killed a brown bear the tallons of
which were remarkably short broad at their base and sharply pointed this
was of the speceis which the Chopunnish call Yah-kar. it was in very low
order and the flesh of the bear in this situation is much inferior to lean
venison or the flesh of poor Elk. Labush and Cruzatte returned late in the
evening with one deer which the former had killed. we also caught seven
salmon trout in the course of the day. the hunters assured us that their
greatest exertions would not enable them to support us here more than one
or two days longer from the great scarcity of game and the difficult
access of the country, the under brush being very thick and great
quantities of fallen timber. as we shall necessarily be compelled to
remain more than two days for the return of Drewyer and Shannon we
determined to return in the morning as far as the quawmash flatts and
indeavour to lay in another stock of meat for the mountains, our former
stock being now nearly exhausted as well as what we have killed on our
return. by returning to the quawmash flatts we shall sooner be informed
whether or not we can procure a guide to conduct us through the mountains;
should we fail in procuring one, we have determined to wrisk a passage on
the following plan immediately, because should we wait much longer or
untill the snow desolves in such manner as to enable us to follow the road
we cannot hope to reach the United States this winter; this is that Capt.
C. or myself shall take four of our most expert woodsmen with three or
four of our best horses and proceed two days in advance taking a
plentiful) supply of provision. for this party to follow the road by the
marks which the baggage of the indians has made in many places on the
sides of the trees by rubing against them, and to blaize the trees with a
tomahawk as they proceeded. that after proceeding two days in advance of
hungary creek two of those men would be sent back to the main party who by
the time of their return to Hungary Creek would have reached that place.
the men so returning would be enabled to inform the main party of the
probable success of the preceeding party in finding the road and of their
probable progress, in order that should it be necessary, the main party by
the delay of a day or two at hungary creek, should give the advance time
to mark the road through before the main party could overtake them, and
thus prevent delay on the part of the rout where no food is to be obtained
for our horses. should it so happen that the advance could not find the
road by the marks on the trees after attempting it for two days, the whole
of then would return to the main party. in which case we wold bring back
our baggage and attempt a passage over these mountains through the country
of the Shoshones further to the South by way of the main S. Westerly fork
of Lewis’s river and Madison or Gallatin’s rivers, where from the
information of the Chopunnish there is a passage which at this season of
the year is not obstructed by snow, though the round is very distant and
would require at least a month in it’s performance. The Shoshones informed
us when we first met with them that there was a passage across the
mountains in that quarter but represented the difficulties arrising from
steep high and rugged mountains and also an extensive and barren plain
which was to be passed without game, as infinitely more difficult than the
rout by which we came. from the circumstance of the Chopunnish being at
war with that part of the Shoshones who inhabit the country on this side
of the Mountains through which the road passes I think it is highly
probable that they cannot be well informed with rispect to the road, and
further, had there been a better road in that quarter the Shoshones on the
East fork of Lewis’s river who knew them both would not have recommended
that by which we came to this country. the travelling in the mountains on
the snow at present is very good, the snow bears the horses perfictly; it
is a firm coase snow without a crust, and the horses have good foot hold
without sliping much; the only dificulty is finding the road, and I think
the plan we have devised will succeed even should we not be enabled to
obtain a guide. Although the snow may be stated on an average at 10 feet
deep yet arround the bodies of the trees it has desolved much more than in
other parts not being generally more than one or two feet deep immediately
at the roots of the trees, and; of course the marks left by the rubing of
the indian baggage against them is not concealed. the reason why the snow
is comparitively so shallow about the roots of the trees I presume
proceeds as well from the snow in falling being thrown off from their
bodies by their thick and spreading branches as from the reflection of the
sun against the trees and the warmth which they in some measure acquire
from the earth which is never frozen underneath these masses of snow.
Bratton’s horse was also discovered to be absent this evening. I presume
he has also returned to the flatts.

The post Lewis: June 20, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: June 20, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:34 +0000

Friday June 20th 1806 The hunters turned out early in different
directions, our guiggers also turned out with 2 guigs a Bayonet fixed on a
pole, a Scooping nett and a Snar made of horse. near the ford of the Creek
in a deep hole we killed Six Salmon trout & 2 others were killed in
the Creek above in the evening. Reubin Field killed a redish brown bear
which was very meagure. the tallons of this bear was remarkably Short
broad at their base and Sharply pointed, this was of the Species the
Chopunnish call Yahkar. as it was in very low order the flesh was
indifferent. Labiesh & Crusat returned late in the evening with one
deer which the former had killed. the hunters assured us that, their
greatest exertions would not enable them to support us here more than one
or two days longer, from the great scercity of game and the dificuelt
access of the Country, the under brush being very thick and great
quantities of fallen timber. as we shall necessarily be compelled to
remain more than two days for the return of Drewyer & Shannon we
determine to return in the morning as far as the quawmash flatts, and
endeaver to lay in another Stock of meat for the mountains, our former
Stock now being nearly exhosted as well as what we have killed on our
rout. by returning to the quawmash flatts we Shall Sooner be informed
wheather or not we can precure a guide to conduct us through the
Mountains; Should we fail in precureing one, we are deturmined to wrisk a
passage on the following plan immediately, because Should we wait much
longer, or untill the Snow disolves in Such manner as to enable us to
follow the road we cannot expect to reach the U States this Winter; this
is that Capt. L. or myself shall take four of our most expert woods men
with 3 or four of our best horses and proceed two days in advance takeing
a plentiful Supply of provisions. for this party to follow the road by the
mark the indins have made in many places with their baggage on the Sides
of the trees by rubbing against them, and to blaize the trees with a
tomahawk as they proceed. that after proceeding two days in advance of
Hungary Creek, two of those men would be sent back to the party who by the
time of their return to hungary Creek would have reached that place. the
men So returning would be enabled to inform the main party of the probable
Suckcess of the proceeding party in finding the road and of their probable
progress, in order that Should it be necessary, the main party by a delay
of a day or two a hungary Creek, should give the advance time to make the
road through before the main party could overtake them, and thus prevent
delay on that part of the rout where no food is to be obtained for our
horses. Should it So happen that the advance Should not find the road by
the marks of the trees after attempting it for two days, the whole of them
would return to the main party. in which Case we would bring back our
baggage and attempt a passage over the Mountains through the Country of
the Shoshones further to the South, by way of the main S Westerly fork of
Lewis’s river and Madisons or Gallitins river’s, where from the
information of the Chopunnish, there is a passage where at this season of
the year is not obstructed by snow, though the round is very distant and
would require at least a month in it’s preformance. The Shoshones informed
us when we first met with them that there was a passage across the
Mountains in that quarter but represented the difficuelties arriseing from
Steep ruggid high mountains, and also an extensive and barren plain which
was to be passed without game, as infinitely more difficuelt than the rout
by which we Came. from the Circumstance of the Chopunnish being at war
with that part of the Shoshones who inhabit the Country on this side of
the Mountains through which the road passes, I think it is highly probable
they cannot be well informed with respect to the road, and further, had
there been a better road in that quarter the Shoshones on the East fork of
Lewis’s river who knew them boath would not have recommend’d that by which
we came to this country. The travelling in the Mountains on the Snow, at
present is very good, the Snow bears the horses perfectly; it is a firm
coase Snow without a crust, and the horses have good foot hold without
slipping much; the only dificuelty is finding the road, and I think the
plan we have devised will Suckceed even Should we not be enabled to obtain
a guide. altho the Snow may be Stated on an average at 10 feet deep, yet
arround the body of the trees it has disolved much more than in other
parts, not being generally more than one or two feet deep imediately at
the roots of the trees, and of course the marks made by the rubbing of the
Indian baggage against them is not Concealed. The reason why the Snow is
comparitively So Shallow about the roots of the trees, 1 prosume proceeds
as well from the Snow in falling being thrown off from their bodies by the
thick and Spreading branches, as from the reflection of the Sun against
the trees and the warmth which they in Some measure acquire from the earth
which is never frozen underneath those masses of Snow. 4 of our horses are
absent.

The post Clark: June 20, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Lewis: June 18, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:34 +0000

Wednesday June 18th 1806. This morning we had considerable difficulty in
collecting our horses they having straggled off to a considerable distance
in surch of food on the sides of the mountains among the thick timber; at
9 OCk. we collected them all except one of Drewyers and one of Sheildes;
we set out leaving Sheilds and LaPage to collect the two lost horses and
follow us. We dispatched Drewyer and Shannon to the Chopunnish Indians in
the plains beyond the Kooskooske in order to hasten the arrival of the
indians who had promised to accompany us or to procure a gude at all
events and rejoin us as soon as possible. we sent by them a rifle which we
offered as a reward to any of them who would engage to conduct us to
traveller’s rest; we also dirrected them if they found difficulty in
induciny any of them to accompany us to offer the reward of two other guns
to be given them immediately and ten horses at the falls of Missouri. we
had not proceeded far this morning before Potts cut his leg very badly
with one of the large knives; he cut one of the large veigns on the inner
side of the leg; I found much difficulty in stoping the blood which I
could not effect untill I applyed a tight bandage with a little cushon of
wood and tow on the veign below the wound. Colter’s horse fel with him in
passing hungry creek and himself and horse were driven down the creek a
considerable distance rolling over each other among the rocks. he
fortunately escaped without injury or the loss of his gun. by 1 P.M. we
returned to the glade on the branch of hungry Creek where we had dined on
the 16th inst. here we again halted and dined. as there was much
appearance of deer about this place we left R. and J. Feilds with
directions to hunt this evening and tomorrow morning at this place and to
join us in the evening at the meadows of Collin’s creek where we intend
remaining tomorrow in order to rest our horses and hunt. after dinner we
proceeded on to Collin’s Creek and encamped in a pleasant situation at the
upper part of the meadows about 2 ms. above our encampment of the 15th
inst. we sent out several hunters but they returned without having killed
anything. they saw a number of salmon in the creek and shot at them
several times without success. we directed Colter and Gibson to fix each
of them a gigg in the morning and indevour to take some of the salmon. the
hunters saw much fresh appearance of bear but very little of deer. we hope
by means of the fish together with what deer and bear we can kill to be
enabled to subsist untill our guide arrives without the necessity of
returning to the quawmash flats. there is a great abundance of good food
here to sustain our horses.

The post Lewis: June 18, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: June 18, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:34 +0000

Wednesday June 18th 1806 This morning we had considerable dificuelty in
collecting our horses they haveing Strageled of to a considerable distance
in Serch of food on the Sides of the mountains among the thick timber, at
9 oClock we Collected them all except 2 one of Shields & one of
Drewyer’s. we Set out leaving Shields and LePage to collect the two lost
horses and follow us.

We dispatched Drewyer and Shannon to the Chopunnish Indians in the plains
beyond the Kooskooske in order to hasten the arrival of the Indians who
promised to accompany us, or to precure a guide at all events and rejoin
us as Soon as possible. We Sent by them a riffle which we offered as a
reward to any of them who would engage to conduct us to Clarks river at
the entrance of Travellers rest Creek; we also directed them if they found
difficuelty in induceing any of them to accompany us to offer the reward
of two other guns to be given them immediately and ten horses at the falls
of Missouri. we had not proceeded far this morning before J. Potts cut his
leg very badly with one of the large knives; he cut one of the large veins
on the iner side of the leg; Colters horse fell with him in passing
hungary creek and himself and horse were driven down the Creek a
considerable distance roleing over each other among the rocks. he
fortunately escaped without much injurey or the loss of his gun. he lost
his blanket. at 1 P. M we returned to the glade on a branch of hungary
Creek where we had dined on the 16th instant. here we again halted and
dined. as there was some appearance of deer about this place we left J.
& R Field with directions to hunt this evening and tomorrow morning at
this place and join us in the evening in the Meadows on Collin’s Creek
where we intended to remain tomorrow in order to restour horses and hunt.
after dinner we proceeded on to the near fork of Collins Creek and
encamped in a pleasant Situation at the upper part of the Meadows about 2
miles above our encampment of the 15th inst. we Sent out Several hunters
but they returned without having killed any thing-. they saw a number of
large fish in the Creek and Shot at them Several times without Suckcess.
we Gibson and Colter to fix each of themselves a gigg in the morning and
indeaver to take Some of those fish. the hunters Saw much fresh appearance
of Bear, but very little deer Sign. we hope by the means of the fish
together with what deer and bear we can kill to been abled to Subsist
untill our guide arives without the necessaty of returning to the quawmash
flats. there is great abundance of good food here to Sustain our horses.
we are in flattering expectations of the arrival of two young chiefs who
informed us that they intended to accompany us to the U. States, and
Should Set out from their village in 9 nights after we left them on the
19th inst. if they Set out at that time Drewyer & Shannon will meet
them, and probably join us on the 20th or 21st-. Musquetors Troublesome.

The post Clark: June 18, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: June 15, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:33 +0000

Sunday June 15th 1806 Collected our horses early with the intention of
makeing an early Start. Some hard Showers of rain detained us untill ____
A M at which time we took our final departure from the quawmash fields and
proceeded with much dificuelty owing to the Situation of the road which
was very Sliprey, and it was with great dificulty that the loaded horses
Could assend the hills and Mountains they frequently Sliped down both
assending and decending those Steep hills. at g miles we passed through a
Small prarie in which was quawmash in this Prarie Reubin Fields &
Willard had killed and hung up two deer at 2 miles further we arrived at
the Camp of R. Fields & Willard on Collin’s Creek, they arrived at
this Creek last evening and had killed another Deer near the Creek. here
we let our horses graze in a Small glade and took dinner. the rain Seased
and Sun Shown out. after detaining about 2 hours we proceeded on passing
the Creek three times and passing over Some ruged hills or Spurs of the
rocky Mountain, passing the Creek on which I encamped on the 17th Septr.
last to a Small glade of about 10 acres thickly Covered with grass and
quawmash, near a large Creek and encamped. we passed through bad fallen
timber and a high Mountain this evening. from the top of this Mountain I
had an extensive view of the rocky Mountains to the South and the
Columbian plains for great extent also the S W. Mountains and a range of
high Mountains which divides the waters of Lewis’s & Clarks rivers and
seems to termonate nearly a West Cours. Several high pts. to the N &
N. E. Covered with Snow. a remarkable high rugd mountain in the forks of
Lewis’s river nearly South and covered with Snow. The vally up the
Chopunnish river appears extensive tolerably leavel and Covered with
timber. The S W. Mountain is very high in a S S W. derection.

The post Clark: June 15, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

Clark: June 17, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:33 +0000

Tuesday June 17th 1806 We Collected our horses and Set out early; we
proceeded down hungary Creek about 7 miles passing it twice; we found it
dificuelt and dangerous to pass the creek in consequence of it’s debth and
rapidity; we avoided two other passes of the creek, by assending a Steep
rockey and difficuelt hill. beyond this Creek the road assends the
mountain to the hight of the main leading ridges, which divides the waters
of the Kooskooske and Chopunnish Riv’s. This mountain we ascended about 3
miles when we found ourselves invelloped in snow from 8 to 12 feet deep
even on the South Side of the mountain. I was in front and Could only
prosue the derection of the road by the trees which had been peeled by the
nativs for the iner bark of which they Scraped and eate, as those pealed
trees were only to be found Scattered promisquisley, I with great
difficulty prosued the direction of the road one mile further to the top
of the mountain where I found the Snow from 12 to 15 feet deep, but fiew
trees with the fairest exposure to the Sun; here was Winter with all it’s
rigors; the air was Cold my hands and feet were benumed. we knew that it
would require four days to reach the fish weare at the enterance of Colt
Creek, provided we were So fortunate as to be enabled to follow the poper
ridge of the mountains to lead us to that place; of this all of our most
expert woodsmen and principal guides were extreemly doubtfull; Short of
that point we could not hope for any food for our horses not even under
wood itself as the whole was covered many feet deep in Snow. if we
proceeded and Should git bewildered in those Mountains the Certainty was
that we Should lose all of our horses and consequencely our baggage
enstrements perhaps our papers and thus eventially resque the loss of our
discoveries which we had already made if we Should be So fortunate as to
escape with life. the Snow bore our horses very well and the traveling was
therefore infinately better than the obstruction of rocks and fallen
timber which we met with in our passage over last fall when the Snow lay
on this part of the ridge in detached spops only. under these
Circumstances we Conceived it madness in this stage of the expedition to
proceed without a guide who Could Certainly Conduct us to the fishwears on
the Kooskooske, as our horses could not possibly Sustain a journey of more
than 4 or 5 days without food. we therefore Come to the resolution to
return with our horses while they were yet strong and in good order, and
indeaver to keep them So untill we could precure an indian to conduct us
over the Snowey Mountains, and again to proceed as soon as we could
precure Such a guide, knowing from the appearance of the snows that if we
remained untill it had disolved Sufficiently for us to follow the road
that we Should not be enabled to return to the United States within this
Season. having come to this resolution, we ordered the party to make a
deposit of all the baggage which we had not imediate use for, and also all
the roots and bread of Cows which they had except an allowance for a fiew
days to enable them to return to Some place at which we could Subsist by
hunting untill we precured a guide. we left our instrements, and I even
left the most of my papers believing them Safer here than to Wrisk them on
horseback over the road, rocks and water which we had passed. our baggage
being laid on Scaffolds and well covered, we began our retragrade march at
1 P.M. haveing remain’d about three hours on this Snowey mountain. we
returned by the rout we had advanced to hungary Creek, which we assended
about 2 miles and encamped. we had here more grass for our horses than the
proceeding evening, yet it was but scant. the party were a good deel
dejected, tho not as much So as I had apprehended they would have been.
this is the first time Since we have been on this long tour that we have
ever been compelled to retreat or make a retragrade march. it rained on us
the most of this evening. on the top of the Mountain the Weather was very
fluctiating and uncertain snowed cloudy & fair in a few minets.

The post Clark: June 17, 1806 appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.