Champing at the Bit Backfires!

By Michael O. Perry

As described in the last episode, the Corps was anxious to start their homeward journey after spending more than four months at the mouth of the Columbia. While they knew snow in the Rocky Mountains would be a major obstacle and, thus, planned to leave on April 1, 1806, they left two weeks early, hoping to escape the dismally wet conditions at Fort Clatsop. That was a mistake, since the spring salmon run they had counted on was late and, therefore, no fish were available from the Indians at The Dalles. The men spent two weeks camped across from the Sandy River to obtain enough meat to make the trip to the Nez Perce villages in Idaho.

Anyone got a snowplow?

When they reached the Nez Perce villages in early May, they were pleased to find their horses still there. However, the Indians told them it would be at least a month before they could cross the pass due to deep snow. So the next six weeks were spent waiting. Everyone was concerned about the delay, since they wanted to get back to St. Louis that year, and a long delay might mean having to spend another winter at Fort Mandan in North Dakota.

On the road again!

Finally, on June 15, they started the dreaded journey across the Rockies. The Indians told them it was still too early, but as Lewis wrote, “every body seems anxious to be in motion.” Clark wrote, “I Shudder with the expectation with great dificuelties in passing those Mountains.” They knew it could take a week to make the crossing. If the snow still covered everything, there would be no grass for the 65 horses, and without the horses they were doomed. A day later, as the horses grazed in a meadow surrounded by snow five feet deep, they realized they had left too soon. Still, they proceeded on another day and found the snow was ten feet deep and the trail was buried.

Benumbed and bewildered

Lewis wrote, “here was winter with all it’s rigors; the air was cold, my hands and feet were benumbed. We knew that it would require five days to reach… Colt Creek… short of that point we could not hope for any food for our horses as the whole was covered many feet deep in snow. If we proceeded and should get bewildered in these mountains the certainity was that we should loose our horses and… we should be so fortunate to escape with life.”

Decision time

That same day, Lewis wrote, “we therefore came to the resolution to return with our horses while they were yet strong and in good order and indevour to… procure an Indian to conduct us over the snowey mountains… knowing from the appearance of the snows that if we remained until it had desolved sufficiently for us to follow the road that we should not be enabled to return to the United States within this season.” Thus, they began a “retrograde march,” after placing most of their supplies in an overhead cache made of poles hung between trees. The only things left to trade with the Indians were their guns. A week later, under promise of two rifles, some Nez Perce guides were hired and the journey began again, three months after leaving Fort Clatsop.

Early Fourth of July

On June 25, Lewis wrote, “the Indians entertained us with seting the fir trees on fire. They have a great number of dry lims near their bodies which when set on fire creates a very suddon and immence blaze from the bottom to top of those tall trees… This exhibition

Michael Perry enjoys local history and travel. His popular 33-installment Lewis & Clark series appeared in Columbia River Reader’s early years and helped shape its identity and zeitgeist. After two encores, the series has been expanded and published in a book. Details, pages 47.

In AprIl 2021 we Introduced A revIsed versIon of Michael Perry’s popular series which was expanded In the new book, Dispatches from the Discovery Trail, edited by Hal Calbom and published by CRRPress. It includes an in-depth author interview and new illustrations and commentary.

Lewis & Clark from page 5 reminded me of a display of fireworks. The natives told us that their object…was to bring fair weather for our journey.”

Adieu to the snow

The Indians knew where to find meadows on south-facing slopes that would be clear of snow and thus provide newgrown grass for the horses. While the snow was still many feet deep, it was solid enough for horses to walk on without sinking in more than a few inches most of the time. However, once in a while the snow would not support a horse and it would sink in to its belly. Finally, on June 29, they “bid adieu to the snow,” and a day later reached Lolo Hot Springs. The men spent the next two days relaxing and recovering from the hard journey.

Divide and conquer

Before leaving Fort Clatsop, Lewis and Clark had made plans for the return trip. They wanted to explore different routes, so on July 3 the party split up. Captain Clark, along with Sacajawea and most of the party, went up the Bitterroot River, back to Camp Fortunate where they had found Sacajawea’s tribe the previous year. However, this time nobody was to be found, since the Indians had gone east to hunt buffalo.

Sgt. Ordway “caches” in Clark’s group continued down the Jefferson River until reaching Three Forks on July 13. At that point, Sgt. Ordway and a detachment recovered the canoes they had cached the previous year and went down the Missouri River to Great Falls. There they would retrieve the material cached in 1805, and then continue on down the Missouri to meet up with Captain Lewis.

… in an overhead cache …

The Expedition learned the technique of “caching” excess gear and supplies from the French Canadian “engages,” (hired hands), many of whom they’d met and engaged, along with Charbonneau, at the Mandan Villages. Pierre Cruzatte was often given the responsibility of directing the work. Typically, caches were underground, beginning with a hole around two feet in diameter, which was systematically widened and deepened, then filled with heavy baggage and excess supplies to be picked up later. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason the structures didn't all meet Cruzatte's assurances. The cache at the mouth of the Marias River collapsed, ruining most of the contents, which included souvenir furs belonging to Lewis and some of the men, as well as many other personal possessions. The cache at the upper portage camp at the Falls of the Missouri was damaged by spring floodwaters that destroyed all of the plant specimens Lewis had collected between Fort Mandan and the Great Falls.

Clark mosies to Bozeman…

Clark took the rest of the party up the Gallatin River to present-day Bozeman, Montana, and followed Sacajawea’s directions to Bozeman Pass, leading to the Yellowstone River. Everyone planned to meet at the junction of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers.

…while Lewis goes to Great Falls

With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Jefferson bought all the land that drained into the Missouri. Thus, knowing the Missouri River’s northernmost tributary was important, Captain Lewis wanted to see where the Marias River’s headwaters were. He and nine men took the Indian’s overland route from Lolo Pass to Great Falls. Six men were left at Great Falls to make carts and help portage the canoes Sgt. Gass’s detachment would bring down the Missouri. On July 11 Lewis took three men and headed north to find the headwaters of the Marias River. Next episode, we will learn more about that deadly journey.

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By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Eight months ago, my husband and I were introduced to a very lovely couple at a fundraiser. They are probably 20 years older than we are, extremely wealthy, interesting, generous and engaged with their community.

In our initial meeting, we enjoyed each other’s company for more than an hour, and they very graciously invited us to spend the night at their nearby residence rather than make the hour-long drive back to our home. Then when we departed, they gave us their home phone number to contact them and meet again.

We never called. Not because we weren’t interested, but honestly, it just felt so awkward to call their house (which is undeniably a generational communication difference).

Now we feel bad for not calling them, as they are so interesting and we would love to see them again. Is it too late to reach out? And if it’s not, could I reach out via email instead, or do I need to act like an actual adult and call their house as they suggested?

GENTLE READER: Normally, Miss Manners tries to take the point of view of her readers, whether they are attempting to solve a problem or are instead creating one. And she will get to yours.

But in this case, her immediate sympathy is with that hospitable couple. They are thinking, “We thought we had such a good time with that young couple, and I thought they liked us, but apparently not. We certainly urged them to keep in touch. But we can’t run after them, so we’d better let it go.”

What they are not thinking is, “They must be scared of us because we’re older and richer.” from page 8

But that is the impression you left -- that those were the terms in which you saw them, and not as interesting people who wanted to be friends.

So yes, you should call, you should apologize for not having been in touch sooner and you should refrain from explaining why —- because it is insulting that you reduced them to generational and financial stereotypes.

And you should issue a warm invitation to them. Do not tell Miss Manners that you will not do so because you can’t entertain in the same style as they do. That would only mean that you were repeating your error by assuming that they are too old or too rich to enjoy good company unless the style of living is exactly like their own.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A relative sent me a card for my birthday with a single lottery ticket, just for fun. I didn’t end up winning anything. Is a lottery ticket considered a gift, and if so, should I write a thank-you note? Would the answer change if I had won something?

GENTLE READER: Yes and yes. As it is, you could write, “I had such fun thinking how you and I could enjoy all that money.” Had you won, Miss Manners suggests something more like, “I know you have been wanting a new car, and I’m so happy to now be able to get it for you.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Can you please tell me how to respond when family or close friends recommend a particular TV series to watch, only for me to find out that the show is full of situations and dialogue that go against our moral standards?

I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by telling them that we objected to their suggested program.

GENTLE READER: Are they close enough for you to have a civil discussion about what bothers you? If not, “It’s not really our taste” should be enough, and Miss Manners reminds you that there is no accounting for taste.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My best friend asked me what I was doing for my birthday. I told her that I wasn’t sure. I had been thinking about a dinner party, but it may be very costly. My mother always told me if you are going to have a party, then you need to pay for everyone. My friend disagrees and says that I should just charge a price for the party and forget about it. What is the rule here, or is there one?

GENTLE READER: You know the rule; your mother taught it to you. But you want additional advice. Very well. Miss Manners advises you to invite your guests to tea instead of dinner; it is not costly.

Dear Miss MANNERS: Is it still considered rude and stupid to wear a hat indoors?

GENTLE READER: Rude? Yes. Stupid? Depends on what is written on the hat.

•••

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Notes From My Lives

by Andre Stepankowsky