Day-by-Day / April 21, 1804

April 21, 1804

Chouteau's Osage delegation

Across the Mississippi, a cannon is heard from up the Missouri River. Soon after 22 Osage Indians arrive escorted by trader Pierre Chouteau. The captains accompany the delegation to St. Louis leaving Sgt. Ordway in charge of winter camp on the Wood River.

Chouteau’s Indian Delegation

at three oClock a Cannon was herd up the Missouris, Soon after Mr. Choteau [Pierre Chouteau] arrived with 22 Indians, we Saluted them and after Staying one [h]Our, Cap Lewis & myself Set out with them to St Louis, where we arrived before night.
William Clark

Sgt. Ordway in Charge

Detachment Orders
April 21st 1804.

Dureing the absence of the Commanding officers at St. Louis the Party are to be under the immediate Command of Sergeant John Ordway agreeable to the Orders of the 7th Instant
—William Clark
(Written and also signed by John Ordway)

 

Weather Diary

Thermometr. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at Sunrise Thermometr. at 4 oClock Weather Wind at 4 oClock River
39 above 0 rain S. W. 50 above 0 fair after rain W. rise 1 ft. 2 in.

Meriwether Lewis[1]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

Notes

Notes
1 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

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.