Pirate

Lewis and Clark Journal Summary 16

Lewis and Clark Picture

Lewis and Clark Expedition Index

Journal Summaries Index

Lewis and Clark Journal Summary 16: Dates May 2, 1806 - May 30, 1806
The following is a summary of the journal entries made by Lewis and Clark. Dates: May 2, 1806 - May 30, 1806
 

Heading Towards the Bitterroot Mountains and Notable Generosity From Some Indians

The ‘Corps of Discovery’ encountered some rough weather in May with strong winds, rain, hail and snow. As they made their way toward the mountains they noted that the snow covered them almost to the bases. Lewis and Clark gave medical assistance to some more Indians and were recompensed with dogs and a horse which they used for food.

May 8, 1806
Lewis and Clark met up with the Chopunnish Chief that they’d left their horses and saddles with on the way down the river. The Chief wasn’t pleased to see them as he’d let the horses become scattered. The following day the Indians managed to round up 21 of the horses. Lewis and Clark discovered that 5 of them had injured backs caused by the Indians who had ridden them.

Over the next few days the expedition made its way across some high plains through the snow that had recently fallen. They met with some more Indians who, after hearing about their lack of meat, made a present of 2 young fat horses for them to kill and eat. Lewis commented in his journal ‘This is a much greater act of hospitality than we have witnessed from any nation or tribe since we have passed the Rocky Mountains’.

They stayed with these Indians a while and Clark treated many of their ailments. The Corps of Discovery then set up a camp nearby to wait for the snow to clear from the plains. The area was good for hunting and they managed to kill several bears. Sacagawea gathered a quantity of Fennel roots which they enjoyed as they tasted like aniseed. As the days passed, she collected a good stock of the Fennel for use on their return over the Rockies.

While it continued to rain at the camp, it continued to snow on the plains. Hunting became a little harder as the animals moved away, so Lewis and Clark decided to divide the remains of the goods they’d had for trading amongst the men so that they could each barter with the Indians for bread and roots to sustain them during their trip across the Bitterroot Mountains. They also set about building a canoe for fishing. They planned to exchange the canoe for a horse when it was no longer required.

May 26, 1806
The canoe was finished and a salmon had been spotted in the river, Sacagawea’s son, who had been sick since the 22nd with a swollen neck and fever, had almost recovered and the snow on the mountains was melting. The hunters were having difficulty providing meat and stocks were very low.

May 27, 1806
Lewis and Clark had to resort to killing the second of the young horses the Indians had given them for the meat. One of the Nez Perce Indian Chiefs who was visiting the camp told Lewis and Clark that they owned the horses that were loose in the area and that, whenever they required meat, they could kill any horse that they wanted. Once again Lewis commented on this act of generosity in his journal writing ‘this is a peice of liberallity which would do honour to such as bost of civilization’.

May 30, 1806
The expedition’s canoe was lost as it had been hit by a strong current and sank. Despite a couple of attempts over the next few days, they were unable to recover it. A few more of the horses that had strayed were returned to the expedition, leaving them with a total of 65. Another Indian Chief, who had completely lost the use of his limbs for a few years, had been brought to the camp several days earlier. The decision was taken to ‘sweat’ him, and after a few days of this treatment (similar to being placed in a sauna), the Chief began to regain full use of his limbs.

 

Next Journal Summary

Mobile Website Menu

Privacy Statement

Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2018

Global Anchor Limited

Modified 2018

By