Day-by-Day / May 26, 1806

May 26, 1806

South Fork village

Having run out of meat at Long Camp, Lewis has the brothers Joseph and Reubin Field hunt for a horse. They alter their trip when they encounter the present-day South Fork of the Clearwater River where they find a Nez Perce village with whom they have not yet traded. At camp, young Jean Baptiste Charbonneau‘s abscess improves, and the canoe-builders finish their dugout.

Horse Meat

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

Exhausted Meat

our meat is again exhausted, we therefore directed R. Fields to hunt the horse in the morning which the Indians have given us to kill. one of our men saw a salmon in the river today.
—Meriwether Lewis

Hunting on the South Fork

Joseph [J. Field] and R. Feilds [Reubin Field] returned, accompanyed by Hohâstillpilp several other inferior Cheifs and some young men. These hunters informed us they were unable to reach the grounds to which they had been directed in consequence of the debth and rapidity of a large creek which falls in about 10 Ms. above. they passed Commearp Creek at about 1½ Ms. and a second creek reather larger at 3 Ms. further.
—Meriwether Lewis

Baby Charbonneau Improves

The Clyster given the Child [Jean Baptiste Charbonneau] last evening operated very well. it is clear of fever this evening and is much better, the swelling is considerably abated and appears as if it would pass off without coming to a head. we still continue fresh poltices of onions to the swolen part.
Meriwether Lewis

Canoe Completed

in the afternoon we compleated our canoe and put her in the water; she appears to answer very well and will carry about 12 persons.—
—Meriwether Lewis

 

Weather Diary

State of the Weather at sun symbol rise Wind at sun symbol rise State of the Weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. State of the Kooskooskee
fair after rain S E fair N W rain 6 in.

the sun shone warm today, but the air was kept cool by the N W. breezes
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the river columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

 

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.
2 To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the river columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

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.