Day-by-Day / February 15, 1805

February 15, 1805

Pursuing Sioux robbers

Fort Mandan, ND Lewis, 20 volunteers, and a few Mandan Indians leave at sunrise in pursuit of the Sioux Indians who stole horses and knives the previous day. After a 30-mile march, they spend the night in an abandoned village.

Chasing the Sioux Thieves[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

Cold Morning

the morning fine the Thermometer Stood at 16° below 0, Nought
William Clark

Pursuing the Sioux Robbers

At day light, Captain Lewis & the party of our Men under his command left the Fort, in pursuit of those Savages [ Sioux Indians], that had robbed our Men, they proceeded on, and marched 30 Miles that day, without being able to overtake them; that Party encamped on the North side of the River Mesouri for that night, in a thick Wood.— Nothing worth relating happen’d at the Fort this day
Joseph Whitehouse

Indian Weaponry

Several Indians accompanied him Some with Bows & arrows Some withe Spears & Battle axes, a 2 with fusees
—William Clark

30-Mile Pursuit

proceeded on to the place where the horses was taken. we found a Sled their which they had cut the horse out of. found also a nomber pair of moccasons at their camp. we took the Sled and proceeded on their trale untill late in the evening. we then arived at 2 old Indian lodges . . . . Some of the mens feet were sore walking 30 odd mls. on the Ice to day.
John Ordway

 

Weather Diary

State of the Ther. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at sun symbol rise Thermt. at 4 oCk. P.M. Weather Wind at 4 oCk. P.M. River
16 [below 0] fair S. W. 6 [below 0] fair W.  

Lewis Set out in pursute of a party of Souis who forced 2 horses from a party (Dispatched after meat on the river below) with 24 men
—William Clark[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “State of the River at sun symbol rise” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

Notes

Notes
1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.
2 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “State of the River at sun symbol rise” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

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Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.