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.
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).
“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”
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.
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.
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
Goat Island, NE The expedition passes a burning bluff that some call the Ionia Volcano. York kills an elk, and the captains express curiosity about a small mound in the prairie, present Spirit Mound, that the Indians fear.
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 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.
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.”
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
Promoting Private Gass
Opposite Bow Creek, NE Patrick Gass is promoted to sergeant. Camp is across from an old Omaha village.
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
Yankton, SD Clark delegates numerous tasks to the men and works on his Indian speech. Pryor and ‘Old’ Dorion bring in a large delegation of Yankton Sioux, and Pryor tells about his time at their village.
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
Niobrara River, NE The barge’s sail is hoisted in a strong wind and the mast breaks. After eight miles, the expedition stops at the Niobrara River to explore, hunt, and look for signs of George Shannon who has been missing several days.
“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
No Preserve Island, NE-SD After making 13¾ miles up the Missouri, the boats stop early at No Preserve Island. There, they make a new cedar mast for the barge. Lewis describes the bull snake and adds two plant specimens to his collection.
September 6, 1804
Towing the barge
Near Greenwood, SD The barge hits several sandbars as the men tow it eight more miles up the Missouri. Colter returns without having found Shannon, and Pedro Vial reaches the Pawnees without having arrested Lewis.
September 7, 1804
Prairie dog town
Old Baldy [The Tower], SD The expedition encounters its first village of prairie dogs. They pour barrels of water down burrow holes eventually catching one as a specimen. Hunter George Shannon is still missing.