The Trail / Past the Omahas

Past the Omahas

Nebraska and Iowa

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

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    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'?

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    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

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    “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

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    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

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    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)

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    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

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    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

    Below Nebraska City As they travel, Clark remarks on the region’s geology and Lewis collects another plant specimen. At camp, a stray Indian dog is fed, and in Washington City, the Secretary of War prepares to send an Osage delegation home.

    The Platte River

    High road junction

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    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

    White Catfish Camp, Bellevue, NE The captains find a shady place near to rest and arrange a council with the Otoe Indians. Lewis describes his astronomical instruments.

    Omaha-Council Bluffs

    Nobody home

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    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

    White Catfish Camp, Bellevue, NE Drouillard and Cruzatte are sent to find the Otoes and invite them to council. A flag is hoisted as a signal.

    Willard’s Bad Day

    And a dreadful hurricane

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    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

    North of Fort Atkinson, NE Most of the day is spent exchanging speeches, gifts, and knowledge with the Otoes and Missourias at Council Bluff Camp in present-day Nebraska. At 3 p.m. the boats travel six miles up the Missouri.

    August 7, 1804

    Deserters and tormentors

    Below Little Sioux, IA After a night of troublesome mosquitoes, the boats set out late in the morning. Drouillard, Reubin Field, Bratton, and Labiche are sent to bring back the deserters Moses Reed and La Liberté.

    August 8, 1804

    Crowds of pelicans

    Pelican Point, NE As they take the boats up the Missouri River, the expedition passes several islands and sandbars crowded with pelicans. Two are shot, and Lewis describes them. Camp is SSW of Blencoe, Iowa.

    The Little Sioux River

    A froth of feathers

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    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

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    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

    Fish Camp, Homer, NE The expedition passes old Fort Charles, a starting point for a previous exploration of the upper Missouri. They camp on a sandbar east of present-day Homer, Nebraska naming the camp Fish Camp. Men are sent to invite the Omahas to council.

    August 16, 1804

    Hundreds of 'fine fish'

    Fish Camp, Homer, NE Lewis tries his hand at dragging the fish net in the nearby creek, and they catch nearly 800 fish. They continue to wait for the return of the two deserters.

    August 18, 1804

    The Omahas arrive

    Fish Camp, Homer, NE Drouillard’s party returns deserter Moses Reed, and the Omahas arrive for a council. Reed is found guilty of desertion and receives his punishment.

    August 19, 1804

    Otoe's council, Floyd's illness

    Fish Camp, Homer, NE During a council, speeches are exchanged, but the Otoes appear dissatisfied with their gifts. Sergeant Floyd becomes seriously ill requiring urgent care.

    Floyd’s Monument by Air

    "Much Lamented"

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    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

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    Two hundred years after the event, interpretive artist Michael Haynes explains how he created his painting “Hallowed Ground.”

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.