The Journals of Lewis & Clark: Clark, September 23, 1804

Updated May 14, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Clark, September 23, 1804

Sunday the 23rd September 1804

Set out under a Gentle breeze from the S. E- (1) passed Goat Island Situated in a bend to the S. S- above passed a Small Creek 12 yards wide on the S. S.- we observed a great Smoke to the SW. which is an Indian Signal of their haveing discovered us, I walked on Shore and observed great numbers of Buffalows. (2) passed 2 Small Willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing from their upper points (3) passed Elk Island Situated near the L. S. about 21/2 mes. long & 3/4 wide, Covered with Cotton wood, a red berry Called by the French "grise de buff," Grapes &c. the river is wide Streight & contains a great numr of Sand bars, (4) passed a Small Creek on the S. S. 16 yds wide I call Reubens Cr.- R. Fields was the first who found it- Came too & Camped on the S. S. in a Wood. Soon after we landed three Soues boys Swam across to us, those boys informed us that a Band of Sieux called the Tetons of 80 Lodges wer Camped near the mouth of the next River, and 60 Lodges more a Short distance above them, they had that day Set the praries on fire to let those Camps Know of our approach- we gave those boys two twists of Tobacco to carry to their Chiefs & Warriors to Smoke, with derections to tell them that we wished to Speak to them tomorrow, at the mouth of the next river- Capt Lewis walked on Shore, R F. Killed a She Goat or "Cabbra."

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