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Lewis and Clark Journal Summary 15

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Lewis and Clark Journal Summary 15: Dates April 19, 1806 - May 1, 1806
The following is a summary of the journal entries made by Lewis and Clark. Dates: April 19, 1806 - May 1, 1806
 

The Expedition Switches From Canoes to Horseback and Meets the Walla Walla Indians

April 19, 1806
The Corps of Discovery set about transporting the canoes and baggage over land past some rapids. The following day one of their horses was taken away as it had already been gambled away before being sold to them. Lewis managed to procure a few more horses and to sell 2 of the canoes for beads. They cut a third up for more fuel.

The Indians continued to steal from them with several tomahawks and a knife going missing over the course of a few days. Lewis caught an Indian trying to steal from them and in his journal he says that he ‘gave him several severe blows’. He then went on to warn the Indians that he would kill the first Indian who attempted to steal anything further from them, and that he was able to kill all the Indians and set fire to their houses, although it wasn’t what he wanted to do as long as they left his equipment alone.

The expedition progressed using the horses and remaining 2 canoes for transport.

April 22, 1806
They saw Mount Hood in the distance with snow on the summit. They had no proper shelter at night and Clark commented on the cold which blew in from the direction of Mount Hood. Dogs purchased from the Indians were the main meals during this part of the journey.

April 24, 1806
The remaining canoes were sold for beads and the expedition resumed their journey by land. With the use of the horses to travel overland the Corps of Discovery was making reasonable progress. The expedition was surviving on dogs and jerk meat.

April 27, 1806
Lewis and Clark met with the chief of the Walla Walla tribe. He took them to his village where they were given supplies of mullet. These Indians also told Lewis and Clark of a road that would save them 80 miles, and was well stocked with deer and antelope.

While staying with the Walla Walla tribe Lewis and Clark were asked to render medical aid to some injured and diseased Indians. Among the complaints was a broken arm, splinted by William Clark, a case of rheumatism, ulcers and sore eyes. Meriwether Lewis believed that the fine sand on the plains was responsible for the eye conditions.

After procuring some more horses and dogs the expedition left the Walla Walla Tribe. They had 23 horses at this point although many had sore backs brought about by the way the Indians rode them. The expedition camped after traveling 26 miles. That evening three young Indians arrived with a steel trap that had been left behind by a member of the expedition. Lewis noted how several knives that had been lost were returned to them while they stayed with the Walla Walla tribe.

May 1, 1806
Lewis wrote in his journal ‘I think we can justly affirm to the honor of these people that they are the most hospitable, honest, and sincere people that we have met with in our voyage’.

 

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