Day-by-Day / September 28, 1804

September 28, 1804

Leaving the Teton Sioux

Above Gavins Point Dam, SD When a lost anchor cannot be found the expedition tries to leave, but Lakota Sioux warriors grab the boat’s line. Weapons are readied, but eventually the chief concedes for a carrot of tobacco. Tensions remain high throughout the day.

More Demands from the Indians[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

Fruitless Search

I made maney attempts in defferent ways to find our anchor without Sukcess, the Sand had Covered her up, we Deturmined to proceed on to Day—
William Clark

Stand-off

Capt. Lewis came out. ordered every man to his place ordered the Sail hoisted, then one man went out untied the chord, which the warrier had in his hand, then 2 or 3 more of their warries caught hold of the chord and tyed it faster than before. Capt. Lewis then appeared to be angerry,
John Ordway

Throwing Tobacco

Capt. L. Said would not agree to be forced into any thing, the 2d Chief Demanded a flag & Tobacco which we refusd. to Give . . . . which had nearly reduced us to hostility   I threw a Carot of Tobacco to 1s Chief Spoke So as to touch his pride took the port fire from the gunner
William Clark

Camping on the River

we fixed 2 large Stone to our boats to answer as ankers, as we did not intend to Camp on Shore again untill we Got to an other Nation.
—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
45 fair S. E. 80 fair S. E.

this day about 12 oCk. had a severe struggle to get away from the tetons
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.