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James's Account Of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820

Edwin James

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Early Western Travels 1748-1846 A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descriptive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of Early American Settlement

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descriptive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of Early American Settlement

Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by Reuben Gold Thwaites, LL.D. Editor of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents," "Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition," "Hennepin's New Discovery," etc. Volume XVII Part IV of James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition 1819-1820 Cleveland, Ohio The Arthur H. Clark Company 1905 Copyright 1905, by THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Lakeside Press R. R. DONNELLEY &amp; SONS COMPANY CHICAGO...

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Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XIV

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XIV

A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descriptive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of Early American Settlement Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by Editor of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents," "Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition," "Hennepin's New Discovery," etc. Volume XIV Part I of James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-182

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Preface to Volumes XIV-XVII

Preface to Volumes XIV-XVII

[pg009] toc The present volume and the three which succeed it are devoted to a reprint of Edwin James's Account of an Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, performed in the Years 1819, 1820, . . . under the Command of Maj. S. H. Long . This exploration was the outcome, and almost the only valuable result, of the ill-starred project popularly known at the time as the Yellowstone expedition, which had been designed to establish military posts on the upper Missouri for the several purp

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Part IV of James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820

Part IV of James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820

Chapters ix, x, and xi, General Description of the Country, and Observations on the Mineralogy and Geology, reprinted from Volume III of London edition, 1823 Calculations of Observations by Long and Swift, reprinted from Part II, Volume II, Philadelphia edition, 1823 Vocabularies of Indian Languages, by Say, reprinted from Volume II, Philadelphia edition, 1823 [Pg 10] [Pg 11] EXPEDITION FROM PITTSBURGH TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS [PART IV] [1] Chapter ix in volume iii of the original London edition.

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{190} MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION

{190} MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION

The expedition embarked on board of the United States' steam-boat, Western Engineer, at Pittsburgh, on the 4th of May, 1819. Their outfit consisted of such books, instruments, stationery, &amp;c. (a return of which is on file in the engineer department), together with such provisions, &amp;c. as were deemed requisite at the commencement of their voyage. They proceeded down the Ohio river, making such observations and surveys along its banks as are calculated to augment the stock of intel

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Preliminary Notice

Preliminary Notice

[From the Philadelphia edition, 1823] [pg035] toc In selecting from a large mass of notes and journals the materials of the following volumes, our design has been to present a compendious account of the labors of the Exploring Party, and of such of their discoveries as were thought likely to gratify a liberal curiosity. It was not deemed necessary to preserve uniformity of style, at the expense of substituting the language of a compiler for that of an original observer. Important contributions o

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Chapter I

Chapter I

Departure from Pittsburgh—North-western slope of the Alleghany Mountains—Rapids of the Ohio. toc Early in April, 1819, the several persons constituting the exploring party had assembled at Pittsburgh. It had been our intention to commence the descent of the Ohio, before the middle of that month; but some unavoidable delays in the completion of the steam boat, and in the preparations necessary for a long voyage, prevented our departure until the first of May. On the 31st of March, the following i

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY TRAVERSED BY THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY TRAVERSED BY THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION

Having given the foregoing brief account of the movements of the expedition, we next proceed to a consideration of the region explored by them, which embraces a very considerable portion of the immense valley situated between the Alleghany and Rocky Mountains. The portion of this valley to which their attention has been more particularly directed, and relative to which intelligence has been collected, is situated between thirty-five and forty-two degrees of north latitude, and eighty and one hun

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Of the country situated between the Ohio river and the Alleghany mountains

Of the country situated between the Ohio river and the Alleghany mountains

The country on the south side of the Ohio, including the northerly parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, together with the whole of Kentucky, abounds in hills elevated, in the vicinity of the Ohio, from four to eight hundred or a thousand feet above the water-table of the river, and rising many hundred feet higher in the neighbourhood of the Alleghany mountains. This section is watered by many streams of considerable magnitude tributary to the Ohio, the most important of which are the

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Chapter II

Chapter II

The Ohio below the Rapids at Louisville—Ascent of the Mississippi from the mouth of the Ohio to St. Louis. [043] toc Our small boat descended over the rapids without injury; and having taken on board some wood near New Albany, we proceeded on our voyage, with a pressure of steam equalling one hundred pounds to the square inch, upon all parts of the engine exposed to its immediate operation. This enabled us to descend, at the rate of ten miles per hour. A small island in the Ohio, about twenty-th

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Of the country situated between the Ohio, Mississippi, and the Lakes

Of the country situated between the Ohio, Mississippi, and the Lakes

The section of country next in the order proposed is situated north of the Ohio river, and comprehends the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. This section may be subdivided into three orders or varieties of country, which merit a separate consideration, viz. the hilly, the plain or rolling, and the valley country. {201} The hilly country, like that south of the Ohio, exhibits a very uneven surface, variegated with hills and dales irregularly distributed, and occupying about one third part of

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Chapter III

Chapter III

Tumuli and Indian Graves about St. Louis, and on the Merameg—Mouth of the Missouri—Charboniere—Journey by land from St. Charles, to Loutre Island. toc Saint Louis, formerly called Pain Court, [077] was founded by Pierre La Clade [Laclède] and his associates in 1764, eighty-four years after the establishment of Fort Creve-cœur, on the Illinois river. Until a recent period, it was occupied almost exclusively by people of French extraction, who maintained a lucrative traffic with the Indians. The h

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Chapter IV

Chapter IV

Settlement of Cote Sans Dessein—Mouths of the Osage—Manito Rocks—Village of Franklin toc The left bank of the Missouri at the confluence of Loutre Creek is precipitous, terminating a group of hills which can be distinguished running far to the north-east. Towards the river these fall off in perpendicular precipices, whose bases are concealed in a dense growth of trees and underwood. From their summits huge masses of rock have fallen; and some of these are of such magnitude, that their summits ri

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Of the country situated between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers

Of the country situated between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers

We next proceed to a consideration of the country west of the Mississippi, and shall begin with that situated between this river and the Missouri. This section contains no mountains, or indeed hills, of any considerable magnitude. The term rolling appears to be peculiarly applicable in conveying an idea of the surface of this region, although it is not entirely destitute of abrupt hills and precipices. The aspect of the whole is variegated with the broad valleys of rivers and creeks, and interve

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Of the country situated between the Missouri and Red rivers, west of the Mississippi and east of the meridian of the Council Bluff.

Of the country situated between the Missouri and Red rivers, west of the Mississippi and east of the meridian of the Council Bluff.

Although no precise limits can be assigned as the western boundary of this section, yet the meridian above proposed may be regarded as a line of division between two regions differing in their general character and aspect. It is not pretended that the immediate course of the line is marked by any distinct features of the country, but that a gradual change is observable in the general aspect of the two regions, which takes place in the vicinity of the proposed line. The assumed meridian is in lon

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Chapter V

Chapter V

Death of Dr. Baldwin—Charaton River, and Settlement—Pedestrian Journey from Franklin to Fort Osage. toc Dr. Baldwin's health had so much declined that, on our arrival at Franklin, he was induced to relinquish the intention of ascending farther with the party. He was removed on shore to the house of Dr. Lowry, intending to remain there until he should recover so much strength as might enable him to return to his family. But the hopes of his friends, even for his partial recovery, were not to be r

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{223} Of the country situated between the meridian of the Council Bluff and the Rocky Mountains

{223} Of the country situated between the meridian of the Council Bluff and the Rocky Mountains

We next proceed to a description of the country westward of the assumed meridian, and extending to the Rocky Mountains, which are its western boundary. This section embraces an extent of about four hundred miles square, lying between 96 and 105 degrees of west longitude, and between 35 and 42 degrees of north latitude. Proceeding westwardly across the meridian above specified, the hilly country gradually subsides, giving place to a region of vast extent, spreading towards the north and south, an

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Chapter VI

Chapter VI

Mouth of the Konzas—Arrival at Wolf River—Journey by land from Fort Osage to the village of the Konzas. toc Wishing to extend our examinations between Fort Osage and the Konzas river, also between that river and the Platte, a party was detached from the steam-boat, with [pg172] instructions to cross the Konzas at the Konza village, thence to traverse the country by the nearest route to the Platte, and to descend that river to the Missouri. The party consisted of Mr. Say, to whom the command was

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Of the Rocky Mountains

Of the Rocky Mountains

This range of mountains has been distinguished by a variety of appellations, amongst which the following are the most common, viz. Rocky, Shining, Mexican, Chippewyan, Andes, &amp;c. The general {238} course of the range is about N.N.W. or S.S.E. Its breadth varies from fifty to one hundred miles. They rise abruptly out of the plains, which lie extended at their base on the east side, towering into peaks of great height, which renders them visible at the distance of more than one hundred mil

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Chapter VII

Chapter VII

Further Account of the Konza Nation—Robbery of Mr. Say's Detachment by a War-Party of Pawnees—Arrival at the Platte. toc The Konza warriors, like those of some others of the Missouri tribes on their departure on a war excursion, sometimes make vows, binding themselves never to return until they have performed some feat which they mention, such as killing an enemy, striking an enemy's dead body, or stealing a horse. An instance lately occurred of a warrior who had been long absent under a vow of

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Of the Indians inhabiting the section of country last described

Of the Indians inhabiting the section of country last described

This country is exclusively inhabited by savages, no other beings of the human family having fixed their abode within it. They consist of the following tribes and nations, whose numbers, places of residence, and mode of life, will be subjects of consideration as far as our knowledge of them extends. The Otoes, or as they are called in their own language, the Wahtooh-tah-tah, reside in a permanent village of dirt or earthen lodges, on the south bank of the river Platte, about fifty miles from its

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Chapter VIII

Chapter VIII

Winter cantonment near Council Bluff—Councils with the Otoes, Missouries, Ioways, Pawnees, &amp;c. toc The position selected for the establishment of winter quarters for the exploring party, was on the west bank of the Missouri, about half a mile above Fort Lisa, five miles below Council Bluff, and three miles above the mouth of Boyer's river. [174] At this place we anchored on the 19th [pg222] of September, and in a few days had made great progress in cutting timber, quarrying stone, and ot

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Of the Arrapahoes, Kaskaias, Kiaways, Ietans, and Shiennes

Of the Arrapahoes, Kaskaias, Kiaways, Ietans, and Shiennes

These nations have no permanent residences or villages, but roam, sometimes in society and sometimes separately, over the tract of country constituting the section last described. They hunt the bison principally, and migrate from place to place in the pursuit of the herds of that animal, upon the flesh of which they chiefly subsist. Being thus accustomed to a roving life, they neglect the cultivation of the soil, and are compelled to subsist almost exclusively upon animal food. They formerly car

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Chapter IX

Chapter IX

Animals—Sioux and Omawhaw Indians—Winter Residence at Engineer Cantonment toc The subsequent account of the transactions at and near Council Bluff, and of the observations made there, we copy from the journal of Mr. Say. Descriptions of some of the animals which occurred, are given in the notes below. [189] [pg251] The prairie wolves [190] roam over the plains in considerable numbers, and during the night, the principal season of their hunts, they venture very near to the encampment of the trave

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Observations embracing several traits of character common to the Indians of the western country

Observations embracing several traits of character common to the Indians of the western country

An accurate and extensive knowledge of the numerous tribes and nations of Indians living within the United States' territory can only be attained by a long residence with them. They are seldom communicative, except up on subjects intimately connected with their personal experience or present interests and welfare. In regard to matters of an abstract or metaphysical nature their ideas {247} appear to be very limited; at any rate very little is known of their sentiments upon subjects of this kind,

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Chapter X

Chapter X

From the notes of Mr. Say. [205] Account of the Omawhaws—Their manners and customs, and religious rites—Historical notices of Black Bird, late principal chief. toc A great portion of the information contained in the following pages, respecting the Missouri Indians, and particularly the Omawhaws, was obtained from Mr. John Dougherty, deputy Indian agent for the Missouri, who had an excellent opportunity of making himself acquainted with the natives, by residing for a time in the Omawhaw village,

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OF THE MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND OHIO RIVERS

OF THE MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND OHIO RIVERS

I trust it will not be deemed improper on this occasion, to offer a few remarks upon the character of these rivers, embracing more particularly the condition of their navigation. The causes heretofore alleged as giving occasion to a diversity of soil within the valleys of the western rivers, have an effect also in giving character to their channels or beds. For example: the banks near the mouths of the rivers, being composed of a fine unctuous and adhesive alluvion, are less liable to crumble an

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Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XV

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XV

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descriptive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of Early American Settlement Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by Reuben Gold Thwaites, LL.D. Editor of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents," "Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition," "Hennepin's New Discovery," etc. Volume XV Par

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{209} CHAPTER I {XI}1

{209} CHAPTER I {XI}1

Further Account of the Omawhaws—Of their Marriages—Of Infancy, and the Relationship of Parents and Children—Their Old Age. In the Omawhaw nation, numbers of the females are betrothed in marriage from their infancy; and as polygamy is extremely common, the individual who weds the eldest daughter, espouses all the sisters successively, and receives them into his house when they arrive at a proper age. During her early youth, the daughter continues under the controul of her parents, with whom she r

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OF THE GREAT VALLEY OR BASIN OF THE MISSISSIPPI

OF THE GREAT VALLEY OR BASIN OF THE MISSISSIPPI

This vast region, embracing more than twenty degrees of latitude and about thirty of longitude, although it has been explored in various directions by men of intelligence, is yet but imperfectly known; and probably no country in the world affords a more ample or interesting field for philosophic investigation. A thorough acquaintance with its geological character would in all probability lead to the most important conclusions in forming a correct theory of the earth, while a knowledge of its veg

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{238} CHAPTER II {XII}

{238} CHAPTER II {XII}

Diseases—Medical and Surgical Knowledge—Drunkenness, and other Vices—Ideas of God, and of a Future State—Superstition, and Practice of the Magi—Expiatory Tortures. The Omawhaws endure sickness and pain with great fortitude; most of them, when thus afflicted, rarely uttering a murmur. Their catalogue of diseases, and morbid affections, is infinitely less extensive than that of civilized men. Rheumatism is rare, and gout appears to be unknown. No case of phthisis or jaundice fell under our observa

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Of the Great Desert at the base of the Rocky Mountains

Of the Great Desert at the base of the Rocky Mountains

The portion of country which we design to consider under this division has an average width of five or six hundred miles, extending along the base of the Rocky Mountains from north to south: as far as we have any acquaintance with that range, consisting entirely of granitic sands, or of secondary aggregates made up of the detritus of that great chain of primitive mountains, there seems to be a degree of propriety in designating it by some name recognising relation to those mountains. It has been

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Of the Sandstones of the Rocky Mountains

Of the Sandstones of the Rocky Mountains

Having commenced our account of the Rocky Mountains with the consideration of that vast accumulation of rounded fragments constituting the Great Desert, which may be reckoned the most recent formation connected with that great range of mountains, we proceed to speak of the sandstones, the next member in the inverted order we have adopted; and here we take occasion to remark the peculiar grandeur and simplicity of features which distinguish the mineral geography of this part of our continent. We

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CHAPTER III {I}18

CHAPTER III {I}18

Death—Mourning for the Deceased—Physical Character—Senses—Manufactures and Arts—Domestic and Warlike Implements—War. When an Omawhaw dies, his kinsmen and friends assemble around his body, and bewail their loss with loud lamentation, weeping, and clapping of hands. Ong-pa-ton-ga, being once on a visit to St. Louis, observed a number of cattle gathering about a spot, where one of their kind had been recently slaughtered, smelling the blood, and pawing the earth; he said they behaved very like his

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{21} CHAPTER IV {II}

{21} CHAPTER IV {II}

War—Negociation for Peace—Revenge—Self-esteem—Hospitality—Mimicry. An individual warrior not unfrequently goes to war unaccompanied; but parties are generally made up for this purpose, in the manner before mentioned. In cases of extraordinary provocation, the whole nation of warriors marches in a body to attack the enemy, under the direction of the principal chief. More than twenty years ago, the Omawhaws marched against the Pawnee Mahas or Pawnee Loups. They encountered them on their hunting gr

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FLETZ TRAP ROCKS

FLETZ TRAP ROCKS

Another family of rocks, of recent formation, and connected with the sandstone last mentioned, remains to be noticed. {290} These are rocks of basaltic conformation, belonging to the class, by some mineralogists denominated superincumbent rocks, and by many considered of volcanic origin. They present a striking contrast, by their dark colour, by the vastness and irregularity of their masses, to the smooth, light, and fissile sandstone on which they rest. Sometimes they are observed compact and a

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{47} CHAPTER V {III}

{47} CHAPTER V {III}

Tribes and Bands—Fabulous Legends—Wit—Ninnegahe, or Mixed Tobacco—Dances—Otoes—Migrations—Language. The Omawhaw nation is divided into two principal sections or tribes, which are distinguished by the names Honga-sha-no and Ish-ta-sun-da; the latter means Grey Eyes. The first-mentioned tribe is subdivided into eight bands, viz. 1. Wase-ish-ta. —This band is interdicted from eating the flesh of male deer or male elk, in consequence of having their great medicine, which is a large shell, enveloped

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RECAPITULATION

RECAPITULATION

The secondary formations along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, are: 1st. Red Sandstone —Rests immediately upo n the granite, is rather indistinctly stratified; strata sometimes inclined and sometimes horizontal; abounds in gypsum, salt, and iron, but exhibits no indications of coal. 2d. Argillaceous , or Gray Sandstone —Overlays the red, conforming to it in the inclination of the strata, occurs principally near the primitive; contains coal and iron. 3d. Greenstone and Graystone [83] —Of

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Of the Ozark Mountains

Of the Ozark Mountains

Leaving the newest fletz trap rocks, about the sources of the Canadian, and returning eastward along the great woodless plain between the Arkansa and Red rivers, we find an extensive tract occupied exclusively by the red sandstone of the salt formation. This rock, as we have already remarked, is constantly accompanied by gypsum and muriate of soda. The red and somewhat argillaceous soil which results from its disintegration is far more fertile than that of the gravelly plains of the Platte, bein

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{67} CHAPTER VI {IV}

{67} CHAPTER VI {IV}

Boyer's Creek—Visit to the Pawnees—Human Sacrifices—Anecdote of Petalesharoo—Appendix. On the 12th, Lieutenant Graham, Lieutenant Talcott of Camp Missouri, Mr. Seymour, and I, accompanied by a soldier, departed in our small row-boat, for the purpose of ascending Boyer creek, 36 and ascertaining the point at which that stream discharges from the bluffs. The rapidity of the Missouri current soon transported us to the mouth of the creek, and we encamped, after ascending it the distance of a few mil

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Recapitulation

Recapitulation

The Ozark mountains extend from the sources of the Rio Colorado of Texas on the south-west, to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri on the north-east, and are continued in a low range from this point towards Lake Superior. They are widest in the south-west, and in that quarter they mingle with some low tracts of secondary sandstone, extending from near the Gulf of Mexico to the base of the easternmost ridge of the Rocky Mountains. Whether there is any similar expansion at the northern

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{93} CHAPTER VII {V}

{93} CHAPTER VII {V}

Journey by Land from St. Louis to Council Bluff—Grand River—Plains at the Sources of the Little Platte, the Nishnebottona, &amp;c.—Departure of the Expedition from Engineer Cantonment. While the transactions above detailed were passing, Major Long had returned from the seat of government. On the 24th of April 1820, he arrived at St. Louis, on his way from Philadelphia to Council Bluff, to rejoin the party. He was accompanied by Captain John R. Bell, attached to the exploring Expedition by or

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Of the Alleghany Mountains

Of the Alleghany Mountains

By this name we intend to designate the great range of mountains extending parallel to the Atlantic coast, from the sources of the St. John's river in New Brunswick in the north-east, to the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee in the south-west. An outline of this great chain has already been traced by Maclure, and particular accounts of portions of it are to be found in the works of Eaton and others; we shall, therefore, confine our attention to those strata, which, forming the north-wester

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{147} CHAPTER VIII {VI}

{147} CHAPTER VIII {VI}

The Platte—Desert Plains—Mirage—Arrival at the Rocky Mountains. The Platte, called by the Otoes Ne-braska, (Flat river, or water,) is, as its name imports, almost uniformly broad and shoal. It is fordable at almost any place, except when swollen by freshets, which occur in the spring season, from the melting of snow, and occasionally during the other portions of the year, from excessive rain. Its bed is composed almost exclusively of sand, forming innumerable bars, which are continually changing

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METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER Preliminary Explanations

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER Preliminary Explanations

The observations on the modifications of the clouds were particularly detailed in the Journal by Mr. Say, who being often remote from the party on detached expeditions, the phases observed by him cannot always be considered as precisely corresponding with those that occurred where the observations noted in the remaining columns of the tables were made by Lieut. Graham. As they would occupy too much space, if introduced into the body of this work agreeably to the manuscript notes, it was judged p

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{188} CHAPTER IX {VII}

{188} CHAPTER IX {VII}

Sandstone Formation at the Base of the Rocky Mountains—The Platte within the Mountains—Granitic Mountains Between the Platte and Arkansa—Castle Rock—Birds—Plants. The district occupied by the inclined sandstone, at the base of the mountains, we found much wider, and the rocky summits incomparably more elevated, than from a remote view we had supposed. July 6. This extensive range, rising abruptly from the plain, skirts the base of the mountains like an immense rampart, and to a spectator placed

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ANIMALS

ANIMALS

A Catalogue of the Names of Animals, which we observed at Engineer Cantonment, or at other indicated places, on our journey to that post. Vespertilio novaboracensis, L. —New-York bat. ———— Carolinus, Geoff. —Carolina bat. Scalops aquaticus —Mole. Ursus Americanus , ( gularis, Geoff. )—Black bear. Procyon lotor —Racoon. Mustela minx —Mink. —— vison . Mephitis putorius (chinche, Buff. Cuv.) —Skunk. Lutra (mustela lutra Braziliensis, Gm. Cuv.) —Otter. Canis —Indian dog. —— lycaon —Black wolf. —— vi

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{xlvi} Meteorological Register {xlvii} for the Month of JULY, 1819

{xlvi} Meteorological Register {xlvii} for the Month of JULY, 1819

Remarkable Phenomena. —On the 7th, 170 miles from mouth of Missouri river at 9 o'clock, P.M. discovered a comet bearing nearly N.W. Observed its distance from North Star to be 49° 38´.—8th, 57 minutes past 8 P.M. observed distance of comet from North Star 48° 46´, bearing at same time N. 43°, W. Altitude 7°. 17th—Franklin, Missouri—Magnetic intensity 26 oscillations per minute. 28th—At our Camp—Magnetic intensity 25 oscillations per minute....

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{xlviii} Meteorological Register {xlix} for the Month of AUGUST, 1819

{xlviii} Meteorological Register {xlix} for the Month of AUGUST, 1819

Remarkable Phenomena. —On the evening of the 2d, when the moon was about 8° above the horizon, brilliant rays of light appeared very distinctly to proceed from a point 5° or 6° to the north of the moon. Same phenomenon on the evening of the 3d. Fort Osage, August 4th, magnetic intensity 26½. Fall of rain on the 26th instant 3-16ths of an inch—27th ½ an inch....

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INDIAN LANGUAGE OF SIGNS

INDIAN LANGUAGE OF SIGNS

1. Sun —The fore-finger and thumb are brought together at tip, so as to form a circle, and held up towards the sun's track. To indicate any particular time of the day, the hand with the sign of the sun, is stretched out towards the east horizon, and then gradually elevated, to show the ascent of that luminary, until the hand arrives in the proper direction, to indicate the part of the heavens in which the sun will be at the given time. 2. Night, or sleeping —The head, with the eyes closed, is la

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{l} Meteorological Register {li} for the Month of SEPTEMBER, 1819

{l} Meteorological Register {li} for the Month of SEPTEMBER, 1819

Note. The Expedition arrived at Engineer Cantonment , their wintering post, on the 17th instant. September 3d, fall of rain 7-8 inch—4th, 1-8 inch—5th, 5-8 inch—7th, 3-8 inch—8th, 5-8 inch....

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INDIAN SPEECHES

INDIAN SPEECHES

Speeches of Pawnees, Pawnee Loups, and Pawnee Republicans, at a council held at the Engineer Cantonment, October, 1819. In concluding his address, on opening the Pawnee council, Major O'Fallon requested them, if any subject rested heavily on their minds, to come forward and express themselves without fear. Long Hair (Tarrarecawaho,) immediately arose, and with a firm step placed himself in the middle of the area. He stood for a short time immovable, then slowly advanced nearer to the agent, and

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{lii} Meteorological Register {liii} for the Month of OCTOBER, 1819

{lii} Meteorological Register {liii} for the Month of OCTOBER, 1819

Remarkable Phenomena. —The Aurora Borealis appeared in N.N.E. at 8 o'clock on the evening of the 12th, near the horizon, and continued but a short time. The atmosphere has been very thick with smoke during this month generally, occasioned by the burning of the prairies . This appearance has generally been near the horizon, but at some times, particularly in the latter part of the month, the whole of the sky has been obscured by smoke, bearing much resemblance in the morning, when there was littl

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Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XVI

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 Volume XVI

Early Western Travels 1748-1846 A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, de- scriptive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of Early American Settlement Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by Reuben Gold Thwaites, LL.D. Editor of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents," "Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition," "Hennepin's New Discovery," etc. Volume XVI

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{liv} Meteorological Register {lv} for the Month of NOVEMBER, 1819

{liv} Meteorological Register {lv} for the Month of NOVEMBER, 1819

Remarkable Phenomena. —The atmosphere continued its smoky appearance until the 11th, appearing to be produced by southerly and south-easterly winds, and carried off by north and north-westerly ones. November 10th, fall of rain ½ inch—23d, ¾ inch—24th, ½ inch....

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[212] CHAPTER I [VIII]1

[212] CHAPTER I [VIII]1

Excursion to the Summit of the Peak—Mineral Springs—Coquimbo Owl—Encampment on the Arkansa. At an early hour on the morning of the 13th, Lieutenant Swift, accompanied by the guide, was despatched from camp, to measure a base near the peak, and to make there a part of the observations requisite for calculating its elevation. Dr. James, being furnished with four men, two to be left at the foot of the mountain to take care of the horses, and two to accompany him in the proposed ascent to the summit

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[231] CHAPTER II [IX]

[231] CHAPTER II [IX]

A Detachment from the Exploring Party Ascend the Arkansa to the Mountains—Bell's Springs—Descent of the Arkansa—Grizzly Bear. On the morning of the 17th Captain Bell, with Dr. James and two men, took their departure, proposing to ascend the Arkansa to the mountains. They were furnished with provisions for two days, according to the scanty allowance to which we were all reduced. The river valley was found so narrow, and so obstructed by the timber and the windings of the stream, as greatly to imp

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{lvi} Meteorological Register {lvii} for the Month of DECEMBER, 1819

{lvi} Meteorological Register {lvii} for the Month of DECEMBER, 1819

Remarkable Phenomena. —December 30th. This morning at sunrise there appeared two images of the sun about 22° or 23° N. and S. of, and in a horizontal line with the sun; the whole sky being obscured by dense cloud: neither the images nor the sun appeared very distinct, but presented the appearance of luminous spots. The appearance continued until about 11 o'clock.—This evening at half past five o'clock, a similar phenomenon accompanied the moon.—Around her there was a halo or luminous circle of a

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[245] CHAPTER III [X]

[245] CHAPTER III [X]

Natural Mounds—Kaskaia Indian and Squaw—Preparations for a Division of the Party—Sandstones of the High Plains South of the Arkansa—Fletz Trap Formation. In the afternoon of the 19th of July we passed the mouth of the river St. Charles, called by Pike the Third Fork, which enters the Arkansa from the south-west. It is about twenty yards wide; and receives, eight miles above its confluence, the Green Horn creek, a small stream from the south-west. The Green Horn rises in the mountains, and passes

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{lviii} Meteorological Register {lix} for the Month of JANUARY, 1820

{lviii} Meteorological Register {lix} for the Month of JANUARY, 1820

Remarkable Phenomena. —January 18th. This morning a parhelion appeared around the sun as he rose, consisting of a mock sun, or image of the sun on each side of him in a horizontal line. From the image northward of the sun there issued a cone of light, the vertex of which was directed from the sun. There was no halo, and the mock suns were not well defined by any outline, though the morning was fair, and the sun shone bright. At eight o'clock the distance of the mock suns from each other, measure

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[273] CHAPTER IV [XI]

[273] CHAPTER IV [XI]

Sufferings of the Party from Stormy Weather and Want of Provisions—Indications of an Approach towards Settlements—Inscribed Rock—Cervus Macrotis—Volcanic Origin of Amygdaloid. The valley in which we halted, is narrow and bounded on both sides by cliffs of greenstone, having manifestly a tendency to columnar or polyhedral structure. It falls readily into large prismatic masses, but obstinately resists that further progress of disintegration which must take place before it can be removed by the wa

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{xlviii} Meteorological Register {lxi} for the Month of FEBRUARY, 1820

{xlviii} Meteorological Register {lxi} for the Month of FEBRUARY, 1820

Remarkable Phenomena. —15th, Lightning in N.E. this evening between 7 and 8 o'clock—clear sky—fresh S.E. wind. During the violent wind to-day the rain gauge was blown from its station and broken. 22d.—Halo around the moon this evening at 40´ past 6—ascertained its diameter to be 45° 8´. Cirrus cloud all over the sky. 23d.—Halo around the moon this evening also....

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{lxii} Meteorological Register {lxiii} for the Month of MARCH, 1820

{lxii} Meteorological Register {lxiii} for the Month of MARCH, 1820

Remarkable Phenomena. —Halo around the moon on the evening of the 21st.—Continued several hours. Same on the evening of the 23d, from 7 till 11 o'clock. The ice on the Missouri broke and commenced moving on the 29th February; but a few days after it blocked up and continued stationary until the 14th of the present month, when it began to move again; and on the 18th it was entirely open and clear of ice. In this register an extra column is added, containing the daily rise or fall of the river. Th

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[288] CHAPTER V [XII]

[288] CHAPTER V [XII]

Kaskaia Hunting Party—Indian Encampment—Unfriendly Behaviour of the Kaskaias—Some Account of their Persons and Manners—Salt Plains—Cumancias. Wednesday 9th. We breakfasted on the last of the horse, which, having been killed on the 5th, and the weather since unusually warm, had suffered from long keeping. We ate it cheerfully, only regretting that we could not promise ourselves as good for dinner. All our party, who are marksmen, were kept constantly out in search of game, but for several days ha

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{lxiv} Meteorological Register {lxv} for the Month of APRIL, 1820

{lxiv} Meteorological Register {lxv} for the Month of APRIL, 1820

Remarkable Phenomena. —20th, Halo and Corona around the moon. In the hail storm of the 24th, hail stones fell of a very large size. One of the largest seen here was of the following dimensions, viz. length 2 inches, breadth 1½ inches, depth 1⅛ inches. April 16th, fall of rain 3-10 inch....

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[309] CHAPTER VI [XIII]

[309] CHAPTER VI [XIII]

Sand Plains—Mississippi Hawk—Small-leaved Elm—Wild Horses—Hail-storm—Climate—Bisons—Grapes—Red Sand Formation—Gypsum. August 15th. Extensive tracts of loose sand, so destitute of plants, and so fine as to be driven with the wind, occur in every part of the saline sandstone formation we had as yet seen. They are perhaps invariably the detritus of the sand-rock, deposited in valleys and depressions, where the rapidity of the abrading currents has been checked by permanent obstacles. This loose san

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CHAPTER VII [I]70

CHAPTER VII [I]70

Inconveniences Resulting from Want of Water—Wood Ticks—Plants—Loss of One of the Party—Honey Bees—Forests—Gray Sandstone—Indications of Coal—Limestone. August 22d. So much rain had fallen during the night, that, soon after commencing our morning march, we enjoyed the novel and pleasing sight of a running stream of water. It had been only two weeks since the disappearance of running water in the river above, but during this time we had suffered much from thirst, and had been constantly tantalized

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{lxvi} Meteorological Register {lxvii} for the Month of MAY, 1820

{lxvi} Meteorological Register {lxvii} for the Month of MAY, 1820

May 4th, fall of rain, ½ inch—10th, 1 inch—20th, ⅛ inch—24th, ¾ inch. [Pg 287] [Pg 288]...

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[22] CHAPTER VIII [II]

[22] CHAPTER VIII [II]

Osage Orange—Birds—Falls of the Canadian—Green Argillaceous Sandstone—Northern and Southern Tributaries of the Canadian—Cotton-wood—Arrival at the Arkansa—Cane Brakes—Cherokees—Belle Point. September 5th. The region we were now traversing is one of great fertility, and we had daily occasion to regret that our visit to it had not been made earlier in the season. Many unknown plants were observed, but their flowering season having passed, the fruit of many of them had ripened and fallen. We were d

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{lxviii} Meteorological Register [Remarkable Phenomena continued from page lix [our page 279].]

{lxviii} Meteorological Register [Remarkable Phenomena continued from page lix [our page 279].]

January 29th. Parhelion around the sun this afternoon, consisting of a halo circumscribing the sun, in the circumference of which appeared the mock suns, and in a horizontal line with the sun. The diameter of the halo was observed to be 45° 20´. To the N.E. of the sun there also appeared a luminous arch inverted, or having its convex part towards the sun, and its extremities directed from it. It was about 60° of a circle of a smaller periphery than the halo, and well defined. The part nearest th

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[39] CHAPTER IX [III]

[39] CHAPTER IX [III]

The Party Proceed upon their Route—Thunder-storm—Some Account of the Kiawa, Kaskaia, Arrapaho, and Shienne Indians—New Species of Toad. Monday, 24th. After the departure of so great a portion of our numbers, combined with whom we could hardly be regarded as sufficiently powerful to contend successfully with a force which we were daily liable to encounter, we were well aware of the necessity of exerting an increased vigilance, and of relying still more implicitly upon our individual means of defe

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{lxx} VOCABULARY OF INDIAN LANGUAGES

{lxx} VOCABULARY OF INDIAN LANGUAGES

{lxxix} Having but a small number of words of the two following Languages, it is thought proper to insert them separately from the above comparative tables, in order that the columns may not be too much extended....

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[56] CHAPTER X [IV]

[56] CHAPTER X [IV]

Arrapaho War-party—Tabanus—Rattlesnakes—Burrowing Owl—Departure of Bijeau and Ledoux for the Pawnee Villages—Scarcity of Timber—Great Herds of Bisons—Wolves. Sunday, 30th. About sunrise a dense fog intercepted the view of surrounding scenery, which was soon dissipated as we moved on, exhibiting all the variety of partially revealed and unnaturally enlarged objects, so familiar to observers of rural sights. At noon, a beautiful natural grove of cotton-wood, lining a ravine in which was some cool

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Shos-ho-ne Language

Shos-ho-ne Language

Good, sant Bad, kate-sant Salmon, au-gi Come, ke-ma Large, pe-up Big river, pau-pe-up To eat, bo-re-can White people, tab-ba-bo— people of the sun Go, nu-me-a-ro To copulate, yo-co To see, ma-bo-ne Did not see it, ka-en-ma-bo-na To love, kom-muh A great many, shant Bison, kot-zo Antelope, wa-re Elk, pa-re Awl, we-u Beaver, ha-nish Friend, hants Woman, wipe Water, pa Horse, bunk-o No, ka-he Tash-e-pa, pierced nose— a nation of the Columbia Paw-kees, black feet Indians Pun-ash, root eaters—a band

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[70] CHAPTER XI [V]

[70] CHAPTER XI [V]

Termination of the Great Bend of the Arkansa—Ietan War-party—Little Arkansa—Red River Fork—Little Neosho and Little Verdigrise Creeks. Thursday, 10th. The great bend of the Arkansa terminates here; 108 and as our horses have fed insufficiently for several days past, we lay by for the day to give them an opportunity of recruiting themselves. A S.S.E. wind prevailed, and at noon exerted a considerable force; the extreme degree of heat was 96 degrees. The hunters brought in a deer and bison. Friday

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Up-sa-ro-ka, or Crow Language

Up-sa-ro-ka, or Crow Language

White people, mash-te-se-re— yellow eyes Pawkees or Black-feet, e-chip-e-ta Poor, bats-ish-cat Powerful or strong, bats-atsh Good, e-tschick Bad, kab-beak Bison, be-sha Bison bull, che-ra-pa Beaver, be-rap-pa Tobacco, o-pa Where, sho Far, ham-a-ta Mountain, am-a-†ha-ba Elk, e-che-re-ca-te— little horse Finished or completed, kar-a-ko-tuk Knife, mit-se What, sa-pa Near, ash-ka Friend, she-ka To eat, ba-boush-mek Gunpowder, be-rups-spa Little, e-ro-ka-ta Name which they give to the Sioux nation, m

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Wah-tok-ta-ta, or Oto Language

Wah-tok-ta-ta, or Oto Language

White people, maz-onk-ka— iron makers Americans, ma-he-hun-jeh— big knife British, ra-gar-rash-ing, probably not an Oto word Ioway nation, pa-ho-ja— gray snow Missouri nation, ne-o-ta-tcha— those who build a town at the mouth of a river Mississippi river, ne-o-hun-je— the river that enlarges as it runs , or ne-ber-a-‡je, water of knowledge Missouri river, ne-su-ja— smoky water Osage river, ne-ska— white water Grand river, nesh-na-hun-ja— big water Konzes river, to-pe-o-ka— good potatoe river Nod

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[85] CHAPTER XII [VI]

[85] CHAPTER XII [VI]

Indian Hunting Encampment—Brackish Water—The Party Pressed by Hunger—Forked-tailed Flycatcher—An Elevated, almost Mountainous, Range of Country—Desertion of Three Men—Red Water. Saturday, 19th. Several small corn fields were seen this morning along the creek. At a short distance from our place of encampment we passed an Indian camp that had a more permanent aspect than any we had before seen near this river. The boweries were more completely covered, and a greater proportion of bark was used in

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[101] CHAPTER XIII [VII]123

[101] CHAPTER XIII [VII]123

The Party Meet with Osage Indians—Some Account of this Nation—Manner of Taking Wild Horses. Friday, September 1st. The hunters, who had been sent out at day-light, returned at eight o'clock again unsuccessful, but after a journey of about three hours we had an opportunity to appease the cravings of hunger, and halted to regale ourselves on a small fawn that was shot. At three o'clock proceeded on under the extreme atmospheric temperature of the day of 96 degrees, and, as the current of air was s

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{lxxxi} O-maw-haw Language

{lxxxi} O-maw-haw Language

White people, wah-ha— makers Americans, mah-he-tun-guh— big knife British, suk-an-ash—not a proper Omawhaw word Hat, wa-ha-pa-ga-rong Hatchet, maz-za-pa-‡jin-ga Axe, maz-za-pa-tun-guh Prairie dog's burrow, man-ne-†ho-da-te Grizzly bear, mon-tschu White hare, mas-tschi-ska Porcupine, pa-he Bald eagle, he-ra-pa-song Grey eagle, he-ra-gra ‡je Black bear, wa-sa-ba Dragon fly, te-ne-nik-a Sword, mah-he-tun-guh Small knife, mah-he-‡jin-guh Canoe, mun-da Thunder, †ger-rong Breech-cloth, ‡ja-a-de-gar-ro

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{lxxxiv} Sioux, (Yancton band,) Language

{lxxxiv} Sioux, (Yancton band,) Language

American, me-na-has-hah— Long knife British, sa-kin-da-sha. This appears to be an adopted word. Physician, wa-pe-a-we-a-cha-sha Village, o-tong-y-a Eagle, ho-yah Green, to-we-toy-ya, or "the blue to dye with"—they have no other word for this colour. Warm, mach-ta Pawnees, pa-dan-o-ta Sioux, da-co-ta Run, e-ong-ka Leap, e-ep-se-sha Fight, ke-che-za Eat, wo-tah Drink, ya-ta-kong Talk, e-ah Good, wash-ta Gunpowder, cha-hun-da Thirteen, a-ka-ya-me-ne Nineteen, a-ka-nuh-pet-che-wung Twenty, wek-chem-

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[115] CHAPTER XIV [VIII]128

[115] CHAPTER XIV [VIII]128

Verdigrise River—Mr. Glenn's Trading-house—New Species of Lizard—Neosho or Grand River—Salt Works—Large Spider—Illinois Creek—Ticks—Arrival at Belle Point. Monday, 4th. The face of the country exhibited the same appearance as that of yesterday's journey, until we arrived at a dense forest, which we supposed to margin the Verdigrise river, or Was-su-ja of the Osages. There being no trace to direct us, we were obliged to penetrate the intricate undergrowth as we might, and after a tedious and labo

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Min-ne-ta-re, or Gros ventre Language

Min-ne-ta-re, or Gros ventre Language

American, man-ce-ech-te-et— big knife British, bo-she-it-to-†chre-shu-pe-sha— the men who bring black cloth French, bo-she Spaniard, was-she-o-man-ti-qua Crow Indians, par-is-ca-oh-panga— the crow people Crow Indians, another band, ehha-tza— the people of leaves Snake Indians, ma-buc-sho-roch-pan-ga Flat-headed Indians, a-too-ha-pe Pierced-nose Indians, a-pa-o-pa Black foot Indians, it-ze-su-pe-sha Gros ventre of the Fort prairie, a band of Black feet, a-re-tear-opan-ga Assinniboin Indians, e-ta

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Paw-ne Language

Paw-ne Language

Grand Pawnees, tcha-we Loups or Pawneeomawhaws, ske-re Pawnee Republicans, ze-ka-ka or ket-ka-kesh Tappage band, pe-tou-we-ra Not, buj‡-‡je Tool Robe, (the republican grand chief), sha-re-a-deeksh-taw-we Thirteen, tou-wet-lok-she-re Fourteen, lah-ko-ke-ta Fifteen, she-oksh-ta-ro-ke-ta Sixteen, shrou-we-o Seventeen, tou-wet-ka-ke, (twenty less three) Eighteen, pet-ko-ka-ke, (twenty less two) Nineteen, as-ko-ka-ke, (twenty less one) Twenty, pe-tou-o Twenty-one, petouo-as-ko Thirty, luk-she-re-we-t

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