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May 27, 1804

"as we were pushing off this Morning two canoes loaded with fur  came to from the Mahars Nation, which place they had left two months...  at about 10 oClock 4 Cajaux or rafts loaded with furs and peltres came too one from the Paunees the other from Grand Osage*, they informed nothing of Consequence.  We passed Ash creek ** where there are high cliffs on the south side, this is a very handsome place- a rich soil and pleasant country."

Grand Osage* - These men had been trading with the Great or Grand Osages, probably on the Osage River in Missouri.

Ash creek **- Probably later Frame, or Frene, Creek, entering the Missouri at present Hermann, Missouri. 

"rained hard all night some thunder and lightening hard wind  in the forepart of the night.  Our provisions and stores were put out to air and dry,  and several of our men sent out to hunt."

"had the perogues loaded and all prepared to Set out, one of our hunters* had not returned, we determined to proceed on & leave one perogue to wate for him.  accordingly at half past four we set out and came on 4 miles & camped on the Ldb Side above a small creek called Deer Creek, soon after we came too we heard Several guns fire down the river, we answered them by a discharge of a Swivile on the Bow**."

one of our hunters* - Joseph Whitehouse

Swivile on the Bow** - The swivel gun was a small cannon widely used by armies, navies, and fur traders in this period.  As the name implies, it was placed on a Y-shaped mount that swiveled, giving it great flexibility.  It could fire a solid shot or a number of smaller projectiles and was therefore a useful antipersonnel weapon.  During the expedition's tense encounter with the Teton Sioux (September 25, 1804),  the swivel was loaded with sixteen musket balls, each of which would probably have gone through more than one victim.  The gun probably had a bore of less than two inches and fired a ball weighing about one pound. 

"Rained all last night...  Set out at 6 oClock after a heavy shower, and proceeded on, passed a large Island a reek opposit on the St. Side Just abov a Cave called Monbrun Tavern & River*,  passed a Creek on the Lbd. Side call Rush Creek **.  Camped at the mouth of a Creek called Grinestone Creek ***  we made 14 miles to day. "

Monbrun Tavern & River* - Little Tavern Creek meets the Missouri in Callaway County, about two miles below the present town of Portland, Missouri, just above it is Big Tavern Creek. 

Rush Creek ** - Rest Creek, probably later Greasy Creek, meeting the Missouri River at the town of Chamois, Missouri.

Grinestone Creek ***  - This creek, at whose mouth they camped, is probably later Deer Creek.

"We were obliged to remain at this encampment* all day, on account of a strong wind from the west.  a Cajaux of Bear Skins and pelteries came down from the Grand Osarge**, one french man and one half Indian and a Squar, they had letters from the man Mr. Choteau sent to that part of the Osarge Nation settled on Arkansa River mentioning that his letter was commited to the flaims***, the Inds. believing that the Americans had possession of the Countrey they disregarded St Louis & their supplies - several rats**** of considearble size was cought in the woods to day -  Capt Lewis went out to the woods & found many curious Plants & Srubs."

encampment*  - Near present day Jefferson City, Missouri

Grand Osarge** - When first mentioned by Europeans in 1673 the Osages were living on the upper Osage River in present western Missouri.  During the early eighteenth century the group known as the Little Osages moved away and settled on the lower Missouri Rive, near the Missouri Indians.  Those remaining on the Osage River were Known as the Great (or Grand, or Big) Osages.  Late in the eighteenth century the Little Osages rejoined their kinsmen.  By the time of Lewis and Clark about half of the Great Osages had moved to the Arkansas River in present- day Kansas. 

 flaims***- The name of the emissary, apparently sent by Auguste or Pierre Chouteau on behalf of the new government, does not appear.  The Chief who burned the letter was probably Makes-Tracks-Far-Away, otherwise known as Big Track , or Big Foot, leader of the Osages on the Arkansas.

 several rats****  - Eastern Wood rat