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Manuel Lisa Had Returned to St Louis with a Load of Furs Obtained During

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Manuel Lisa Had Returned to St Louis with a Load of Furs Obtained During Chapter 2A decimated enroute by the cruel treatment they received from the Manual Lisa & 1809 Expedition to the Big Horn French crew and Lisa; and the report that James issued Post attacking the veracity of Manuel Lisa was banned for many years; and all but two books were reported to have been destroyed. The records from Fort Lisa (Big Horn) are scarce for 1810 after the main contingent of the 1809 arrived, and only the Manuel Lisa had returned to St Louis with a load of furs James source identified what took place there. Sometime after obtained during his 1807-1808 stay at the Fort on the Bighorn, getting the Manuel Lisa near to the Knife River built/started, generally referred to as ‘Lisa’s Fort”, and various other names. List went to the Big Horn Fort [this was probably by keel boat]. His arrival prompted consolidation action by businessmen and On April 23, 1810 he departed the fort and went to St Louis [he fur trapper alike. There are numerous articles about his second probably took a load of furs from the fort with him – as well as trip upriver in 1809; but the interviewed account of the various a sufficient number of men to man the boat.] This apparently expedition members by General Thomas James1 upon their discouraged most of the expedition members, but in retrospect, arrival back home, appears to be more factual. It also helps to Lisa decided he needed more supplies, and attempted to enter explain the manpower actions that transpired during the trip and Canada (Montreal), and was denied entry as the US and Canada the construction of The Fort at Three Forks. Other journals help were in boundary disagreement. Returning to St Louis he re- to shed some additional light upon the journey and manpower organized the Fur Company and initiated his 1812 Expedition that departed from St Louis in two groups (May 9, 18092) and with many provisions. This is well documented and has no somewhat stayed together until reaching the Gros Ventres bearing on the 1809 expedition, excepting that some of those Village. Each evening they were required to have their boats men were taken from the fur trapping area. The timeline below docked together. shows several inconsistencies in the associated dates and events, but the decreasing level of manpower is evident as the days This article is intended to be a very brief summary of the events click by. [Note: The 1811 spring trip up river from St Charles across many references – focusing only on the main manpower carrying Sacagawea and Charbonneau to the Mandan (Lewis & usage of the expedition; but it can be used as a guide for further Clark) Fort, plus a heavy load of supplies for his 1809 crew is study as needed along with all associated reference details. not included. These 20 additional men were probably from the However, it is very clear by all accounts that the members of 1809 expedition, and not stationed at the Big Horn.] this expedition had absolutely no intention of remaining at the Big Horn, as all (excepting for the Americans) were equipped A timeline of critical events indicated by James were probably with their own tents and related supplies. The Americans were based upon the locally most current available map, plus the information from the L&C Journals and verbal descriptions 1 Three Years among the Indians & Mexicans; Published 1846 @ Waterloo, IL; General Thomas James. (Copy from UCLA Library – reported to be one prior to the release of the Clark or Lewis maps. There are of two remaining books). James was in charge of one keel boat that timeline discrepancies that need better clarification – but it is transported an American crew; later he became a General in the Army. abundantly clear that no additional work was accomplished on (Various images were made from the Google Search Site) 2 This date was later reflected to be June 9, 1809. Chapter 2A-Page 1 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 2 of 20 the Big Horn Fort by this 1809 team of fur trappers3. There was 2 – St Louis Missouri Fur Co Articles of Ass’n ….1809 no assignment of that task by Lisa, and the men followed his May 9 (Signed by Board Members) commands. [All of 1807 Expedition equipment & the Big Horn Fort transferred to Fur Co] 3 – Escort command under Captain Pierre Menard with 40 armed men & Indian Chief depart ST Louis 1809 Jun 15 (nationality not provided – but apparently were not American as agreed.) The number of men is noted in the journal. (See description of American later) 4 – Two members desert prior to departure (desertion not dated) 5 – Lisa and trappers depart St Louis 1809 May 9th. Lisa indicated he had 350 total members (less the two American deserters.) He split up the groups into American and French. (173 American and 135 French … not counting the escort command of 40 persons.) There were 13 barges in the group. 6 – At Osage River, Lisa had 9 barges remaining and his command departed on 20 Jun 1809. (No indication of where the others disappeared). It appears that this is where the majority of Americans dispersed, for when the group arrived at the Mandan Fort, only ten Americans remained. This June date was used by most as being the St Louis departure date – Lisa’s letter isn’t clear. 7 – At Cedar Island4 Lisa drops off some men (French) and supplies for construction of a Fort. The date and number of men weren’t noted. (I guessed 20 men) This fort was to serve the Sioux. 8 – The Lisa group passed the Aricaras Camp on 1809 Sep 12, and arrived at the Mandan Village on 1809 Sep Key Points in the 1809-1810 Journey: 24. (Based upon this arrival date – the news media estimated that Lisa departed St Louis on June 20, 1809.) 1 – Fur Contract for 1809 Expedition…..1809 Feb 24 (Signed by each member) 3 Refer to Appendix B 4 Located near to Chamberlain, SD. Chapter 2A-Page 3 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 4 of 20 9 – Lisa ordered the large barges unloaded and the mention of any one having to re-construct or expand the merchandise, etc., consolidated into a smaller group. fort. This was only considered a temporary post, and the The extra boats were ordered back to St Louis. (No ones at Three Forks and the Knife River area were mention of number of boats or manpower needed for the paramount to the Lisa fur enterprise. The Big Horn Fort return journey.) was basically being abandoned. While camped on site 10 – Lisa left a detachment of men (no number noted) to during the winter of 1809/1810 only Henry’s 40-man construct a fort on the Knife River. (This is Fort Manuel crew (and their horses) was on site, along with the small Lisa) It was at this time that the fur trappers who were garrison previously assigned by Lisa. There was no headed to Three Forks, split into three separate groups: apparent danger to the Fort from the Indians indicated Three Americans (James as leader), Andrew Henry and by James’ journal. 40 men on horseback, and a remaining boat crew. 11 – James’ group became lost after leaving Fort Mandan. They built a small cabin and James stayed the Background Leading up to the 1809 Departure winter, and then joined some others going to the fort. 12 – Andrew Henry guided his 40 men on horseback to The following summarizes the activities surrounding the Lisa the Big Horn Fort. (Arrival date not noted.) The Fort and the moving of Fort Henry from Snake River to the Big remainder traveled by boat (1810) and arrived there a Horn, and the creation of Fort Benton near that site.5 few days before James in early 1810. These men had tents for shelter. Lisa made a short trip to the Big Horn Post and then returned to St Louis, arriving there in October 1810. This created very hard feelings among the crews. [Lisa then tried to get into Canada for additional supplies via Detroit & failed.] 13 – All members of the 1809 expedition departed separately in two-groups from the Big Horn Fort, and arrived together at Three Forks in 1810, on Apr 3. Colter led one group consisting of 32 men, one other group departed earlier, and the number wasn’t recorded. James and some others were assigned to start trapping on the Missouri River up to the Great Falls area immediately after arriving at Three Forks; the others started building the fort. (The rest is history!) 14 – The Big Horn Fort was manned from 1807- 1810/1811 by a small garrison of men assigned by Lisa. (Names & number not fully identified.) There was no 5 Chapter 2A-Page 5 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 6 of 20 his upper Missouri Mandan residence. Chief Shehaka had been visiting the President of the United States after the L&C Expedition was completed; and was earlier assured that he could be safely transported back to his home (North Dakota). In the spring of 1807, Sgt Prior, of the L&C Expedition was placed be in command of the transport attempt. (Sgt. Prior, after the expedition, was promoted to Captain, and placed in charge of 40 US Troops, when he attempted the transport.) While passing through the Missouri River area controlled by the Rickarees, just below the Mandan village, they were attacked, and lost 8-10 men in the battle. They were forced to turn around and head back to St Louis.
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