Fort Clatsop

January 9, 1806 (Clark departing from Cannon Beach, Oregon )

“ we have now to look back and Shudder at the dreadfull road on which we have to return of 45 miles SE of Point adams & 35 miles from Fort Clatsop. I had the blubber & oil divided among the party and set out about sunrise.”  Clark

January 10, 1806

"About 10 AM I was visited by Tia Shah-har-war-cap* and eleven of his nation in one large canoe; these are the Cuth' - lah-mah nation who reside first above us on the South side of the Columbia river; this is the first time that I have seen the Chief, he was hunting when we past his village on our way to this place.  Thse people speak the same language with the Chinnooks and Catsops whom they also resemble in their dress customs manners.  they brought some dryed salmon, wappetoe, dogs, and mats made of rusehs and flags, to barter; their dogs and a part of thier wappetoe they disposed off, an remained all night near the fort**. "  Lewis

Shah-har-war-cap* - A Chief ("Tia") of the Cathlamets

fort** - Clark and his party returned to Fort Clatsop this evening.

January 11, 1806
A party was sent out to bring in elk that were killed yesterday: “ deer have become scarce.”

January 12, 1806

“ in the evening Drewyer having killed 7 elk; I scercely know how we should subsit, I belive but badly if it was not for the excertions of this excellent hunter; maney others also excert themselves, but not being acquainted with the best method of finding and killing the elk and no other wild animals is to be found in this quarter., they are unsuksessfull in their excertions.”

January 13, 1806

Captain Lewis took all men who could be spared and brought in the seven elk that Drouillard killed the preceding day.  “ this evenig we exhausted the last of our candles*, but fortunately had taken the precaution to bring with us moulds and wick, by means of which and some Elk’s tallow in our possession we do not yet consider oursleves destitute of this necessary article.”

last of our candles*- It took a lot of work to produce a little light in the fort.  All the quarters had fireplaces to throw out light as well as heat.  The Captains' quarters had the largest fireplace, because Lewis and Clark needed the most light to work on their maps and journals.  (Source: National Park Service)

January 14, 1806

The party engaged itself in jerking the meat of the elk: “two men were sent to the salt works to assist in making salt. The rest were employed in drying and taking care of the meat; and in dressing elk skins for mokasins, which is a laborious business.”

January 15, 1806

Entire party was confined to their huts: “ wet throughout.”