The stretch of the Missouri River along the present-day border between Nebraska and South Dakota was a flurry of activity. In just three days, a detachment visits the “Mountain of Little People,” today’s Spirit Mound, Patrick Gass is promoted to sergeant, and they first encounter the Yankton Sioux. They look for a volcano and Lewis becomes ill while testing one of the minerals he collected. At present Old Baldy, the expedition has it first encounter with prairie dogs.
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”
NE Nebraska Minerals
'Blue Earth,' 'Clift of White' and 'Burning Bluffs'
by John W. Jengo
The Missouri River exposed rock formations that were geologically diverse, distinctly colored, rich in mineral content, and in some places, dramatically distinguished by steaming and smoking hot earth that beckoned to be investigated.
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.
Elk Point
Names
by Joseph A. Mussulman
In the vicinity of Elk Point, South Dakota, the captains found a variety of unfamiliar minerals, including what Clark believed were arsenic and cobalt. “Capt. Lewis in proveing the quality of those minerals was near poisoning himself by the fumes & taste.”
August 24, 1804
Bluffs on fire
On their way to the Vermillion River, the expedition passes a burning bluff that some call the Ionia Volcano. They express curiosity about a small mound—present Spirit Mound—that the Indians fear.
The Vermillion River
The stream near Spirit Mound
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The Corps left the white pirogue at the mouth of this stream and followed it part of the way to the storied Spirit Mound. During the years between the day the Corps passed it and today, its mouth has migrated about 2.5 miles southeast.
La Véndrye’s Golden Sands
His visit to Spirit Mound
by Joseph A. Mussulman, Kristopher K. Townsend
La Vérendrye’s 1728 name for Spirit Mound contains several puzzling statements. Pako’s reference to that “very fine gold-coloured sand,” suggests the “little mountain” was located in a fabulous land, an Eldorado, of precious natural riches.
Spirit Mound
An elevation of devilish spirits
by Joseph A. Mussulman
The visit to this prairie hill was among the more bizarre sidelights of the whole expedition, but evidently it was not entirely unexpected. Seventy-six years earlier, explorer Pierre La Véndrye called the place the “Dwelling of the Spirits.”
Spirit Mound by Air
"Unusual spirits"
by Joseph A. Mussulman
On 25 August 1804, obedient to Jefferson’s instruction to observe Indians traditions, monuments and landmarks, Lewis and Clark went inland to visit a “conic form” rising from the plain.
August 26, 1804
Pvt. Gass promoted
As they move up the Missouri River, they see a long cliff of white clay ‘marl’. They camp opposite Little Bow Creek near the abandoned Omaha village Petite Arch. Pvt. Gass is promoted to sergeant.
Yankton by Air
Peace parley
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Here they “formed a camp in a Butifull Plain,” erected a flagpole, ran up their large flag, and settled in to wait for the Sioux, whom they had invited to meet with them. On August 30, seventy-five Sioux men of the Yankton tribe ceremoniously entered the expedition’s camp, eager to parley.
August 29, 1804
Seventy Yanktons arrive
In present South Dakota, Sgt. Pryor and Old Dorion bring in a large delegation of Yankton Sioux. Clark writes about their “Conic” lodges and is presented a fat dog which he finds “good & well flavored”.
Sandbar Hazards
Knotty problem
by Joseph A. Mussulman![](/media/lctoday/wark_034-Springfield-IA-sq.jpg")
The task of piloting the expedition’s boats efficiently through the Missouri’s windings and blind leads was the principal responsibility of Pierre Cruzatte who, as a riverman, earned the respect and confidence of every member of the party.
September 4, 1804
Shannon still missing
They pass an old Ponca village and make eight miles before stopping at the Niobrara River to explore, hunt, and look for signs of Pvt. Shannon who has been missing several days.
The Niobrara River
Rushing river
by Joseph A. Mussulman
“We hoisted Sail,” wrote Ordway, and “ran verry fast a Short time. Broke our mast.” The party “came to” on the west side of the Niobrara. There the men made a new mast from the trunk of a tall, sturdy red cedar, which apparently lasted at least until they reached the Mandan villages.
September 5, 1804
No Preserve Island
After making 13¾ miles, the boats stop early at what they name No Preserve Island to make a new cedar mast for the barge. Lewis describes the bull snake and adds two plants to his collection.
September 6, 1804
Towing the barge
The barge hits many sandbars and they only make eight miles for the day camping near Greenwood, South Dakota. Pvt. Colter returns without Pvt. Shannon who has been missing for many days.
September 7, 1804
Prairie dog town
The captains climb Old Baldy—The Tower in present South Dakota. Everybody but the camp guard visits a prairie dog town, and they eventually catch one as a specimen. Pvt. Shannon is still missing.
