Day-by-Day / October 26, 1804

October 26, 1804

Mitutanka Village

Mitutanka Village, Knife River, ND The expedition arrives as the first Mandan village, Mitutanka. Due to his sore neck, Clark is unable to join Lewis on his visit to the village. Many Indians visit, and they meet Hugh McCracken, a free fur trader.

A Big Welcome for the Corps[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

Setting Out

a clear morning. we Set off eairly.
John Ordway
we Set the Ricara Chief [Too Né (Eagle Feather)] on Shore with Some Mandans, many on each Side veiwing of us, we took in 2 Chiefs (Coal and Big Man) and halted a feiw minits at their Camps
William Clark

Hugh McCracken

we Saw a trader from the Ossinniboin River Called McCracken, this man arrived 9 day ago with goods to trade for horses & Roabs one other man with him—
—William Clark

Diplomatic Visit

Capt Lewis walked to the Village with the Chief and interpeters, my Rheumitism increasing prevented me from going also, and we had Deturmined that both would not leave the boat at the Same time untill we Knew the Desposition of the Nativs
—William Clark

Corn Mill

Those people apd [appeared] much pleased with the Corn mill which we were obliged to use, & was fixed in the boat.
—William Clark

Garden Camp

we Camped on the S. S. below the 1st village at an old field where the manden nation had raised corn the last Summer, & Sun flowers &.C. of which they eat with corn.
John Ordway

 

Weather Diary

Thermot. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at sun symbol rise thermotr. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 oC P.M.
42 fair S E 57 fair S E

Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.

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, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” column 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.