Day-by-Day / December 8, 1804

December 8, 1804

Frostbitten hunters

Fort Mandan (North Dakota)
On a day that starts at 12 below zero, the hunters return to Fort Mandan with buffalo meat. Several men have frostbite—one badly on the feet. York is also “touched”.

Frost Bite[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

Buffalo Hunting

the Thermometer Stood at 12 d. below 0 which is 42 d. below the freesing point, wind from the N W I with 15 men turned out [Nicholas Biddle: Indians joined us on horseback shot with arrows rode along side of buffaloe] and killed 8 buffalow & one Deer
William Clark

Frostbite

This day being Cold Several men returned a little frost bit; one of men with his feet badly frost bit my Servents feet also frosted & his P—s a little, I feel a little fatigued haveing run after the Buffalow all day in Snow many Places 10 inches Deep
—William Clark

A Little Tafia

the men who went with Capt. Clark he gave a drink of Taffee the air thick with Ice all this day, like a fog.—
John Ordway

 

Weather Diary

Ther. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at sun symbol rise Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. River
12 below snow N W 5 fair after snow N W  

The ice 1½ inch thick on the part that had not previously frosen. The Buffaloe appear Capt Lewis with 15 men Kill 14
Meriwether Lewis[2]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 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 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.