On this day in Lewis & Clark history...
After another wet night, Lewis determines to reach the mouth of the Yellowstone over 80 miles away. Pryor is rafting down the Missouri River in bull boats. Clark moves a few more miles down the Missouri camping near Tobacco Creek.
From the journals...
Thursday August 7th 1806.
we set out early resolving if possible to reach the Yelowstone river today which was at the distance of 83 ms. from our encampment of the last evening; the currant favoured our progress being more rapid than yesterday, the men plyed their oars faithfully and we went at a good rate.
Missouri River near Culbertson, Montana
Thursday August 7th 1806.
at or just below the entrance of this river we meet with the first appearance of Coal birnt hills and pumicestone
Fort Union Formation
Thursday August 7th 1806.
at 8 A. M. we passed the entrance of Marthy's river which has changed it's entrance since we passed it last year, falling in at preasent about a quarter of a mile lower down.
Big Muddy Creek
Thursday August 7th 1806.
The ash first appears in the instance of one solletary tree at the Ash rapid, about the Elk rapid and from thence down we occasionly meet with it scattered through the bottoms but it is generally small.
Green Ash, Fraxinus pensylvanica
Thursday August 7th 1806.
from Marthy's river to Milk river on the N. E. side there is a most beautifull level plain country; the soil is much more fertile here than above.
Missouri River at Brockton, Montana
Thursday August 7th 1806.
we also saw an unnusual flight of white gulls about the size of a pigeon with the top of their heads black.
Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
Thursday August 7th 1806.
we included that Capt. C's camp could not be distant and pursued our rout untill dark with the hope of reaching his camp in this however we were disappointed
Missouri and Yellowstone River confluence
Saturday [Thursday] 7th August 1806
Some hard rain this morning after daylight which wet us all.
at 6 P M I landed on a Sand bar on the South Side and Campd.
Missouri River sandbar
