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“If We Eat, You Shall Eat”

By: Phil Scriver, LC200 Historian

The Expedition was now beyond the Cheyenne River and considered themselves past the threat of the Teton Sioux. Although they were bothered by small groups of Sioux for the next few days, the Expedition was in the lands of the Aricaras. The Corps of Discovery camped across the river from Jean Valle’s trading house the night of October 1st. That French Canadian trader had wintered some distance up the Cheyenne River near the foothills of the Black Hills. He described the country to the Captains telling them a large group of Cheyennes lived in that area and they regularly raided Spanish settlements to the southwest. Valle stated that “a great noise is heard frequently on those mountains.” He went on to describe the noise as being a booming of irregular intervals that had no explanation.

The Captains found the Aricaras to be quite different from the Sioux they had just experienced. The Aricaras were farmers who supplemented their food crops with hunting. The same could be said for the Mandans and Hidatsas further upriver. Their homes which were inhabited year around were earth lodges that provided shelter from winter cold and summer heat. The Expedition saw remains of former villages of these three tribes all along their path as they pushed some 200 miles upriver, finally reaching the Hidatsa Villages near where they wintered in late October. These Indians had inhabited this land for a long time, but they did not manage to live in any one location for long periods of time due to constant warfare with the Sioux. These wars plus small pox eventually reduced the numbers of the Aricaras, Mandans and Hidatsa to a point they almost merged into one tribe. Although they were friendly, peaceful people the Sioux kept them constantly agitated. The Aricaras were warring with the Mandans when the Expedition first reached the Aricaras.

The Expedition had good fortune at this point of their journey. When they camped in the area of Ashley Island they met a French trader by the name of Joseph Graveline who agreed to act as interpreter for the Captains while in council. On October 10 the Captains counseled with the Aricaras. Lewis gave his patented speech about a new great father and the wishes for making peace and trading between the Indians and the Americans who were to follow. After the speech medals and presents were handed out. This talk was received well since the Aricaras were well accustomed to being middle men traders with the Indians from farther west. The upper Missouri valley that was the land of these three tribes was a well established trading hub. One of the Aricara chiefs agreed to go with the Captains to the Mandans to make peace with them.

The following two days were spent by the Captains traveling to the Aricara chiefs villages getting their reply to Lewis’ speech. During this time the Indians and the Expedition members both had opportunities to learn about each other. The Aricaras saw York, the first black man they ever saw, while the Expedition was amazed by the ease with which the Indians handled their bullboats even in the strongest winds.

With the council done the Expedition continued upriver with the Aricara Chief Eagle Feather on board. During the ensuing days the Captains learned more about the Indians they were to spend the winter with. The Chief commented on a very unique stone near the mouth of a creek as they passed by. He said that stone had very great powers for his people. He also identified the remains of many villages as they worked their way up the Missouri. The Chief proved beneficial to the Expedition by giving them considerable information on the traditional stories and beliefs of his people. Much of their traditions were intertwined with the Mandans and Hidatsas, so the Chief was also telling about those tribes as well. He told how the Sioux had attacked the Mandans at the Slant Villages and other ones in the area driving the Mandans farther upriver to the Double Ditches. Continued fighting with the Sioux again drove the Mandans upriver to the area they were now living near the Knife River.

By the 24th the Expedition started seeing Mandan hunting parties. Every time a small party was sighted the Expedition had to stop and talk. When the Mandan Chiefs learned the Aricara Chief was on board and his mission was to make peace he was readily accepted.

On the 27th the Expedition reached the first, or farthest downriver, Mandan village. At this village was an old French trader, Mr. Jessaume, who had lived there for eighteen years. When Lewis determined to proceed to the mouth of the Knife River and hold council there, Jessaume agreed to act as interpreter and accompanied the Expedition. Clark’s appraisal of the man was “cunning, artful and insincere” however he would be useful as an interpreter.

Council was held on October 29th with the chiefs of the Mandans and Hidatsas. Lewis again gave his speech about a new great father, peace and trade. That was followed by presents, medals and flags. The next two days were taken up for Lewis going to the villages and hearing the Chiefs’ responses. All were favorably received and agreed to. Black Cat who the Captains considered the main Mandan Chief, agreed to the Aricaras peace proposal. He sent three of his people back with the Aricara Chief to complete the peace process.

While Lewis was occupied with the council, Clark searched for a good location to establish winter quarters. He went seven miles upriver in his search but found nothing suitable. He then headed downstream and eventually found a satisfactory location a short way below the first Mandan village; he then returned to the main party.

Big White, Chief of the first village, met Clark on his return. The Chief asked where the Expedition would camp for the winter and was pleased with the reply of downriver, close to the Chief’s village. Big White’s response was, “We are glad, if we eat you shall eat, if we starve you must starve.” With the councils now done everyone headed home. The Expedition reached their selected wintering site on November 2nd. Lewis named their camp-to-be Fort Mandan “in honor of our neighbors.”

Between the council with the Aricaras and the council with the Mandans and Hidatsas, which were obviously high points on the Expedition’s journey, was one of the lowest points and another incident that foretold of future events.

Clark’s journal entry for October 20th comments on the hunters’ success for the day; 13 deer killed and one white bear wounded. By reading what the other journalists had to say the story unfolds. Cruzatte shot the bear only wounding it. Because he did not kill the bear on the spot as he fully expected to, he got so excited he threw down his rifle and ran away. The bear, reacting with surprise to the noise of the shot and the pain of the minor wound, took off running – the opposite direction. Cruzatte finally realized the bear was gone and recovered his rifle.
The hunters were to encounter many more white bear (grizzlies) before they reached the Rocky Mountains. Some of those encounters would bring similar results, but most would end with the bear being killed.

October 13th was a very low point for the Corps of Discovery. On that day a member of the permanent party, Private John Newman, was courts martialed and found guilty of “repeated mutinous statements.” His punishment was 75 lashes and removal from the permanent party (discharged). He was put to work at hard labor and returned to St. Louis the following Spring.

November 3, 1804 marked the day the Expedition started construction on Fort Mandan which would be their home for the next five months. The French engages were paid off and dismissed; most lived with the Indians that winter then returned to St. Louis the next Spring. Baptiste LePage was hired to replace John Newman in the permanent party.