The enlisted men and engagés move the boats about ten miles up the Missouri reaching the area of present Berger, Missouri. Lewis issues detachment orders dividing the enlisted men into three squads with specific directions for handling their rations. They camp on an island below the 10-mile-long Otter—or la Loutre—Island.
A Genealogist’s Gem
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
The Barge and Pirogue
This photo is provided as a service by the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Sergeants at the Helm
when the Batteaux is under way, one Sergt. shall be stationed at the helm, one in the center on the rear of the Starboard locker, and one at the bow. The Sergt. at the helm, shall steer the boat, and see that the baggage on the quarterdeck is properly arranged and stowed away
—Meriwether Lewis
Three Squads
The Commanding Officers direct, that the three Squads under the command of Sergts. Floyd Ordway and Pryor heretofore forming two messes each, shall untill further orders constitute three messes only, the same being altered and organized as follows (viz)—
—Meriwether Lewis
Crew Assignments
The Commanding officers further direct that the messes of Sergts. Floyd, Ordway and Pryor shall untill further orders form the crew of the Batteaux; the Mess of the Patroon La Jeunesse will form the permanent crew of the red Perogue; Corpl. Warvington’s [Richard Warfington] mess forming that of the white perogue.—
—Meriwether Lewis
Rations
Sergt. John Ordway will continue to issue the provisions and make the detales for guard or other duty.— The day after tomorrow lyed corn and grece will be issued to the party, the next day Poark and flour, and the day following indian meal and poark; and in conformity to that ratiene provisions will continue to be issued to the party untill further orders.— should any of the messes prefer indian meal to flour they may recieve it accordingly— no poark is to be issued when we have fresh meat on hand.—
—Meriwether Lewis
Otter Island
Camped on an Island on the Starboard Side near the Southern extrem of Luter Island
—William Clark
In April 1810, Clark gave Nicholas Biddle more information about ‘Luter Island’—also called la Loutre and Otter—that they would spend the next day passing:
The large island called Otter Island fine fertile soil about 10 miles long—narrow—high situation—one of the riches of the Missouri—lies close to the right shore of the river where Otter river empties into the Missouri. The creek & island called Loutre island.[2]“The Nicholas Biddle Notes” in Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents: 1783–1854, ed. Donald Jackson (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978), 2:508.
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Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
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| ↑2 | “The Nicholas Biddle Notes” in Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents: 1783–1854, ed. Donald Jackson (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978), 2:508. |
