Day-by-Day / August 7, 1806

August 7, 1806

No reunion

Near Williston, ND Lewis reaches the mouth of the Yellowstone expecting to find Clark. Instead, he finds fragments of two notes. Further down the Missouri, Clark moves to a sandbar where there are fewer mosquitoes. Pryor’s detachment is somewhere between the two.

High Winds and Big Bears[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

Lewis Reaches the Yellowstone

Faithful Oars

we set out early resolving if possible to reach the Yelowstone river today which was at the distance of 83 ms. from our encampment of the last evening; the currant favoured our progress being more rapid than yesterday, the men plyed their oars faithfully and we went at a good rate.
Meriwether Lewis

Clark’s Notes

I landed at the point and found that Capt. Clark had been encamped at this place and from appearances had left it about 7 or 8 days. I found a paper on a pole at the point which mearly contained my name in the hand wrighting of Capt. C. we also found the remnant of a note which had been attatched to a peace of Elk‘s horns in the camp;
—Meriwether Lewis

Signs of Clark

I saw some meat that had been lately fleased and hung on a pole . . . . Sergt. Ordway . . . reported that he saw the tracks of two men which appeared so resent that he beleived they had been there today, the fire he found at the plce was blaizing and appeared to have been mended up afresh or within the course of an hour past. he found at this place a part of a Chinnook hat which my men recognized as the hat of Gibson
—Meriwether Lewis

Disappointing Pursuit

we included that Capt. C’s camp could not be distant and pursued our rout untill dark with the hope of reaching his camp in this however we were disappointed and night coming on compelled us to encamp
—Meriwether Lewis

Clark Waits for Lewis

Wet Morning

Some hard rain this morning after daylight which wet us all. I formed a Sort of Camped and delayed untill 11 a. m. when it Stoped raining for a short time. I directed every thing put on board and proceeded on down.
William Clark

Mosquito-free Sandbar

at 6 P M I landed on a Sand bar on the South Side and Campd. Soon after we landed the wind blew very hard for about 2 hours, when it lulled a little. the air was exceedingly Clear and Cold and not a misquetor to be Seen, which is a joyfull circumstance to the Party.
—William Clark

Pryor’s Wolf Bite

Sergt. Pryers hand was nearly recovered.
—William Clark (recorded 8 August 1806)[2]Precise dates and locations for Pryor’s trip down the Yellowstone are not known. Pryor was instructed to keep a journal, but it if he did, it is lost.

 

Weather Diaries

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.
rain after rain N E cloudy after rain N E

rained from 12 last night untill 10 A M today—.
—Meriwether Lewis

State of the weather at Sun rise State of wind at Sunrise State of the weather at 4 P. M. Wind at 4 P. M. State of river
rain N. E. cloudy after rain N. fall 2 ½in.

Commenced raining at daylight and contined at intervals all day. air Cool.
—William Clark[3]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is omitted, some abbreviations have been spelled out, and the three river columns have been merged.

 

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 Precise dates and locations for Pryor’s trip down the Yellowstone are not known. Pryor was instructed to keep a journal, but it if he did, it is lost.
3 To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is omitted, some abbreviations have been spelled out, and the three river columns have been merged.

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.