Day-by-Day / May 17, 1804

May 17, 1804

St. Charles court martial

Privates Hugh Hall, William Werner, and John Collins misbehaved in St. Charles the previous night and today face a court martial. Some visiting Kickapoos tell Clark that the Sauk and Osage are at war—a thing the captains have been trying to prevent. Lewis continues working in St. Louis.

A Little Military Discipline

by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

Cat o’ nine tails

by Michael Haynes

whip with nine knotted ropes

© 2006 Michael Haynes. Reproduction by permission only.

Werner and Hall’s Trial

after being duly Sworn the Court proceded to the trial of William Warner [Werner] & Hugh Hall on the following Charges Viz: for being absent without leave last night contrary to orders, to this Charge the Prisoners plead Guilty. The Court one of oppinion that the Prionsers Warner & Hall are Both Guilty of being absent from camp without leave it being a breach of the Rules and articles of war and do Sentence them Each to receive twenty-five lashes on their naked back
—Orderly book as recorded by John Ordway

Related: Courts Martial on the Trail

Collins’ Trial

at the Same court was tried John Collins Charged 1st for being absent without leave— 2d. for behaveing in an unbecomming manner at the ball last night 3dly for Speaking in a languguage after his return to camp tending to bring into disrespect the orders of the Commanding officer— The Prisoner Pleads Guilty to the first Charge but not Guilty to the two last chrges.—
—Orderly book as recorded by John Ordway

Related: The jury for Collins’ trial included Patrick Gass, Reubin Field, Richard Windsor, Joseph Whitehouse, and John Potts.

Suak-Osage War

Several Kickapoos Indians Visit me to day . . . . who informed me that the Saukees [Sauks] had lately Crossed to war against the Osage Nation
—William Clark

logo: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail logo: National Park Service

Today, the St. Charles Historic District is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

 

Notes

Notes
↑1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.

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.

This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.

This site is provided as a public service by the
Logo: Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:

Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).