Following the Missouri River along the present-day Nebraska-Iowa border, the captains pay their respects to the late Omaha chief, Blackbird. They conduct their first two councils, one with the Otoes and another with the Omaha. Sergeant Charles Floyd becomes ill, passes away, and is buried on a bluff overlooking the river in present-day Sioux City.
Chief Blackbird
Late Omaha chief
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The two captains and ten of the enlisted men climbed the hill to visit the grave of one of the most notorious and controversial leaders of the Omaha Nation, whose name was Washinga Sahba—Blackbird.
The Barge
Barge, keelboat, or just 'the boat'?
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Meriwether Lewis listed a “Keeled Boat” in his pre-expedition shopping list, but after he finally got it, he and the other journalists of the Corps of Discovery simply called it “the boat” (190 times) or, less often, “the barge” (32 times).
Missouri River Hazards
The travails of river travel
by Joseph A. Mussulman
“So far, we have experienced more difficulty from the navigation of the Missouri, than danger from the Savages. The difficulties which oppose themselves to the navigation of this immence river, arise from the rapidity of it’s current, it’s falling banks, sandbars, and timber”
Synopsis Part 1
Washington City to Fort Mandan
by Harry W. Fritz
The Corps of Discovery, as it would be called, or the “corps of volunteers for North Western Discovery,” as Lewis put it, epitomized the rising glory of the United States—its sense of limitless possibilities and unparalleled opportunities.
Mapping Siouxland
A cartographic palimpsest
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The historic Map of Lewis and Clark’s Track Across the Western Portion of North America can fruitfully serve as a major palimpsest of American history as of the year in which it was created, 1810.
Driftwood Danger
An embarras (obstacle)
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The Missouri spawned countless hazards such as a drift or raft of logs—an embarras, or “obstacle,” as the French engagés called it.
Big Nemaha River
High ground
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The Corps camped for the night of 11 July 1804 on “Newfound Island” to “rest the men who are much fatigued.” Five men explored the Big Nemaha River and climbed to the top of “a high artificial Noal”—an Indian burial site—to gain “an emence, extensive & pleasing prospect of the Countrey around.”
July 18, 1804
Geology and botany
Clark remarks on the region’s geology and Lewis collects a partridge pea specimen as they travel up the Missouri below present Nebraska City. At their evening camp, a stray Indian dog is fed.
The Platte River
High road junction
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The Corps of Discovery arrived at the mouth of the Platte on 21 July 1804, noting first of all that “the Current of This river Comes with great Velocity roleing its Sands into the Missouri, filling up its Bend….”
July 22, 1804
White Catfish Camp
Near present Bellevue, Nebraska, the expedition sets up a camp that would be known as White Catfish Camp. The captains find a shady place near to rest and arrange a council with the Otoes.
Omaha-Council Bluffs
Nobody home
by Joseph A. Mussulman
On 23 July 1803, the captains sent Drouillard and Cruzatte to an Otoe Indian village to invite the chiefs to come hear of the change of national allegiance from Spain to the United States and to learn “the wishes of our Government to Cultivate friendship with them.”
July 23, 1804
Searching for Otoes
George Drouillard and Pierre Cruzatte are sent to find the Otoes and invite them to council at White Catfish Camp near present Bellevue, Nebraska. A flag is hoisted as a signal.
Willard’s Bad Day
And a dreadful hurricane
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Willard had to walk back 3 miles to get his tomahawk. On his way back, he dropped his rifle in the water, and he couldn’t find the weapon in the deep mud. On that same day, Clark took note of “much fallen timber, apparently the ravages of a dreadful haricane.”
August 3, 1804
The Otoe council
Most of the day is spent exchanging speeches, gifts, and knowledge with the Otoes and Missourias on Council Bluff at present Fort Atkinson, Nebraska. Then, the boats travel six miles up the Missouri.
August 7, 1804
Deserters and tormentors
After a night of troublesome mosquitoes, four men are sent to bring back the deserters Moses Reed and La Liberté. The boats leave late in the morning, and they camp near present Little Sioux, Iowa.
August 8, 1804
A froth of feathers
As they take the boats up the Missouri River, the expedition passes several islands and sandbars crowded with pelicans. Two of the birds are shot, and Lewis describes them in his journal.
The Little Sioux River
A froth of feathers
by Joseph A. Mussulman
A highlight of 8 August 1804 was a profusion of feathers floating like a froth on the water. The feathers went on for three miles “in such quantities as to cover pretty generally sixty or seventy yards of the breadth of the river.”
Blue Lake Meander
Iowa meander
by Joseph A. Mussulman
This oxbow was once part of the main channel of the Missouri, but by 1804 the river had already cut it off, turning it into a lake “6 leagues [eighteen miles] around.”
August 13, 1804
The Omaha's Big Village
The expedition passes old Fort Charles, a starting point for a previous exploration of the upper Missouri. They camp east of present Homer, Nebraska and men are sent to invite the Omahas to a council.
August 16, 1804
Hundreds of 'fine fish'
Lewis tries his hand at dragging the fish net and catches nearly 800 fish besting Clark’s previous catch by nearly 500. They remain near present Homer, Nebraska waiting for the return of two deserters.
August 18, 1804
The Omahas arrive
At Fish Camp near present Homer, Nebraska, the Omahas arrive for a council. Three Otoe chiefs witnessing deserter Pvt. Reed’s corporeal punishment ask for mercy, and Lewis’s birthday is celebrated.
August 19, 1804
Otoe's council, Floyd's illness
During a council at Fish Camp near present Homer, Nebraska, speeches with the Otoes are exchanged, but they appear dissatisfied with their gifts. Sgt. Floyd becomes seriously ill requiring urgent care.
Floyd’s Monument by Air
"Much Lamented"
by Joseph A. Mussulman
On 20 August 1804, the Corps proceeded thirteen miles, while young Floyd quickly grew worse. A little past noon they landed, and presently Floyd said, “I am going away.”
Sgt. Floyd’s Burial
The artist's interpretation
by Michael Haynes
Two hundred years after the event, interpretive artist Michael Haynes explains how he created his painting “Hallowed Ground.”
