Blackbird Hill
Painting created by Split Rock Studios, Sioux City, Iowa. Original in the collection of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. Photographed by Kristopher Townsend.
Some authors say that the expedition never met any Omaha people. It is true that they found their villages empty and were unable to hold a council with the people, but they did see Omaha prisoners among the Lakota Sioux (Tetons). They also met several traders bound for, or returning from, Omaha villages. More indirect exposures were with expedition members, François Labiche and Pierre Cruzatte who were both half Omaha.
The captains appeared eager to meet with the Omaha. They tried to find them at their two biggest villages and planted a flag at the gravesite of the chief who for many years had controlled trade in the region, the infamous Chief Blackbird. With Blackbird now dead, a smallpox epidemic in 1800–1801, and recent Teton Sioux attacks, the Omaha were severely weakened. In the “Estimate of the Eastern Indians,” Clark holds out hope:
They might easily be induced to become stationary: they are well disposed towards the whites, and are good hunters: their country abounds in beaver and otter, and their trade will increase and become valuable, provided they become stationary, and are at peace.[1]Moulton, Journals, 3:339.
On 13 August 1804, the Omaha Big Village, also known as Tonwantonga, was found abandoned, apparently destroyed and without a growing garden. Nearly two weeks later, on 26 August 1804, the boats passed Bow Creek, the site of another abandoned Omaha village called Petite Arch—or by Clark, Little Bow. That village had split from the Big Village in a dispute with Blackbird. After the expedition, both bands would come together and rebuild Big Village.
Despite wars with other native nations, European diseases, removal to reservations, boarding schools, and complex land ownership issues resulting from the allotment system, the Omaha people retained its tribal identity. They consider “The Original Omaha Powwow”—held after the first full moon in August—as the oldest celebration of native music and dance still in existence.[2]Margot P. Liberty, W. Raymond Wood, and Lee Irwin, Handbook of North American Indians: Plains Vol. 13, ed. Raymond J. DeMallie (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 2001), 412.
Selected Pages and Encounters
Too Né’s Delegation
by Joseph A. Mussulman
A delegation of chiefs from the Arikara, Ponca, Omaha, Otoe, Iowa, and Missouria nations sailed down the Missouri with Corporal Warfington on the expedition’s keelboat in the spring of 1805. Early in January, 1806, President Jefferson greeted them in Washington City with a formal speech.
The two captains and ten of the enlisted men climbed the hill to visit the grave of one of the most notorious and controversial leaders of the Omaha Nation, whose name was Washinga Sahba—Blackbird.
May 27, 1804
Gasconade River
The flotilla meets two trading parties coming down from Omaha and Osage villages. At evening camp near the mouth of the Gasconade River in present Missouri, arms and ammunition are inspected.
July 14, 1804
Sudden storm
When they encounter a sudden storm, the men jump into the water to save the boats. An elk is wounded, and Lewis’s dog, Seaman, joins the chase. They encamp southwest of present Langdon, Missouri.
August 3, 1804
The Otoe council
North of Fort Atkinson, NE Most of the day is spent exchanging speeches, gifts, and knowledge with the Otoes and Missourias at Council Bluff Camp in present-day Nebraska. At 3 p.m. the boats travel six miles up the Missouri.
August 4, 1804
Moses Reed is missing
SW of Modale, IAThe expedition travels fifteen miles up the Missouri, the captains record yesterday’s speech to the Otoes, and Moses Reed, who had headed back to the previous night’s camp to retrieve his knife, does not return as expected.
August 10, 1804
First survivor
Below Blackbird Hill, NE The boats sail 22½ miles up the Missouri River and encamps within view of Blackbird Hill. Lewis collects the earliest plant specimen that survives today, field horsetail.
August 11, 1804
Honoring Blackbird
Near Badger Lake, IA The captains climb a high hill where they place a flag at the grave of Blackbird, an Omaha chief and prolific trader. They then continue up the Missouri River camping near Badger Lake, Iowa.
August 13, 1804
The Omaha's Big Village
Fish Camp, Homer, NE The expedition passes old Fort Charles, a starting point for a previous exploration of the upper Missouri. They camp on a sandbar east of present-day Homer, Nebraska naming the camp Fish Camp. Men are sent to invite the Omahas to council.
August 17, 1804
News of Indians and deserters
Fish Camp, Homer, NE François Labiche returns ahead of Drouillard’s party and informs the captains that Indians and the deserter Moses Reed will arrive soon. A prairie fire is set as a signal to any nearby Indians.
August 18, 1804
The Omahas arrive
Fish Camp, Homer, NE Drouillard’s party returns deserter Moses Reed, and the Omahas arrive for a council. Reed is found guilty of desertion and receives his punishment.
August 21, 1804
Big Sioux country
Across from Ponca, NE Strong winds create blowing sands, the sail must be ‘reefed’ and the white pirogue needs ballast to stay on course. Pierre Dorion describes the geography of the Big Sioux country. The Osage delegation arranged by Lewis and Clark prior to heading up the Missouri in May 1804 heads home.
August 24, 1804
Bluffs on fire
Goat Island, NE The expedition passes a burning bluff that some call the Ionia Volcano. York kills an elk, and the captains express curiosity about a small mound in the prairie, present Spirit Mound, that the Indians fear.
The visit to this prairie hill was among the more bizarre sidelights of the whole expedition, but evidently it was not entirely unexpected. Seventy-six years earlier, explorer Pierre La Véndrye called the place the “Dwelling of the Spirits.”
August 31, 1804
Yankton speeches
Yankton, SD In the morning, the council with the Yankton Sioux continues. Several Sioux give speeches, and Clark and Ordway take notes. Dorion is assigned a diplomatic mission and leaves with the Yanktons.
September 4, 1804
Shannon still missing
Niobrara River, NE The barge’s sail is hoisted in a strong wind and the mast breaks. After eight miles, the expedition stops at the Niobrara River to explore, hunt, and look for signs of George Shannon who has been missing several days.
September 26, 1804
Teton Sioux ceremony
Pierre, SD Clark and Lewis are ceremoniously carried into a Lakota Sioux village where they are feted with food and music. Clark sees several recently-captured Omaha prisoners and asks for their return.
September 3, 1806
News from home
Sioux City, IA Trader James Aird is heading up the river to trade with the Sioux bringing news from home. The captains learn that Jefferson is still president, James Wilkinson is now Louisiana governor, and Alexander Hamilton died in a duel with Aaron Burr.
September 5, 1806
Challenging river
Onawa, IA The narrowing river challenges the paddlers and rowers who must navigate its many bends and hazards. Progress is good, and they encamp at present-day Blue Lake, seventy-five miles closer to home.
September 10, 1806
News of Zebulon Pike
Big Lake, MO The river is crowded not only with sawyers and snags, but fur traders heading up the river. The captains learn that Zebulon Pike is leading an expedition exploring the source of the Arkansas River.
September 12, 1806
Old acquaintances
St. Joseph, MO The captains meet four old acquaintances, an old military companion and three men from the 1804 upriver trip.Joseph Gravelines and Pierre Dorion are acting under orders from President Thomas Jefferson, which the captains review and modify.
September 16, 1806
A young trader
Waverly, MO The men apply the paddles and oars lightly, yet the flotilla moves fifty-two miles closer to home. They question a young trader, likely Joseph Robidoux Jr., who lacks a properly signed license.
September 20, 1806
La Charrette welcome
La Charrette, MO After sixty-eight miles, the expedition fires three rounds and La Charrette villagers return the welcome. Two Scottish traders from Canada feed the men their first beef since leaving. The captains see a new boat design and hear of unfavorable complications created by the Louisiana transfer.
