On this day in Lewis & Clark history...
On the afternoon of a showery day, the boats leave Camp River Dubois stopping near an island six miles up the Missouri River. Clark, Ordway, Floyd, Gass, and Whitehouse begin journaling their voyage of discovery.
From the journals...
A Journal commenced at River Dubois
Monday May the 14th 1804.Capt Clark Set out at 3 oClock P. M. for the western expedition. one Gun fired. a nomber of Citizens see us Start. the party consisted of 3 Sergeants & 38 Good hands, which maned the Batteaux and two pearogue
Red and white pirogues
[Undated entry]
The Kickapoo calls a certain water plant with a large Circular floating leaf found in the ponds and marshes in the neighbourhood of Kaskaskias & Cahokia—Po-kish'-a-co-mah, of the root of this plant the Indians prepare an agreable dish, the root when taken in it's green state is from 8 to 14 inches in circumpherence is dryed by being exposed to the sun and air or at other times with a slow fire or smoke of the chimnies, it shrinks much in drying—
American lotus, Nelumbo lutea
[Undated entry]
There is also another root found in mashey lands or ponds which is much used by the Kickapoos Chipaways and any other nations as an article of food it is called by the Chipeways Moc-cup-pin
White water lily, Nymphaea oderata tuberosa
