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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Missouri spawned countless hazards such as a drift or raft of logs—an embarras, or “obstacle,” as the French engagés called it.
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 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.
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 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.
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.”
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.
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.”
Two hundred years after the event, interpretive artist Michael Haynes explains how he created his painting “Hallowed Ground.”