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 was banned for many years; and all but two books were reported to have been

destroyed. The records from (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 and Charbonneau to the (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 ) 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 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 . 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 . 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 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 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 (). 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. It was at this time, that Lisa was in the process of forming his new fur company. To take advantage of the situation, he agreed to transport the chief back upstream to his home (basically in exchange for the rights to exclusive fur trading rights in the northern regions of the land.)

After returning to St Louis, Lisa transferred the assets of his 1807 fur company to a new corporation, the “St Louis ”. This was generally known as the Missouri Fur Company, or Lisa’s Fur Company. The articles of association were signed on May 9, 18096; although there were three separate signings, each with a slightly different date (French, English and Spanish, as I recall).

In support for this expedition, Lisa concurrently arranged for his new corporation to transport Mandan Chief “Shehaka”, back to In anticipation of this new corporation, Lisa established a new Fur Contract, and obtained authorization for its implementation 6 Refer to Articles of Association, James Chapter 2A-Page 7 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 8 of 20 from the Territorial Governor, ; the purpose Louis’ newspaper separate announcement of the event). being to gain exclusive rights for his upcoming new enterprise, According to General James, the full party was as the St Louis Missouri Fur Company. This agreement was signed agreed by the contract between Lisa and Clark. That February 24, 1809.7 The salient features were: meant that 50 men and Captain left early thus delivering the Chief8 without any special difficulty. This Engage at least 125 men group re-joined with the main body when Lisa’s trappers Forty men are to be American & expert marksmen arrived at the village. Together they continued ascending At least 50 rifles are to be included in the weapons the Missouri. Escort for Chief Shehaka will be Pierre Chouteau (promoted to Captain by ) According to letter from Lisa at Osage River to General Accompanying the Chief will be: his wife, child, Clark dated June 24, 1809: he departed [from the Osage and [Rene] Jesseaume (personal translator) – River] 24 June 1809 along with 172 men, nine barges his wife and child plus two additional and a canoe9. Earlier two men deserted (Collins and translators. They shall have special quarters for Cochran). To assure passage of the Mandan Chief, Clark the trip. agreed to pay Lisa $10,000 for his special transport.10 Presents for the Indians they encounter Depart St Louis between April 20 and May 10, 1809. From a letter written by Pierre Chouteau he explains Take supplies sufficient for construction of 5-6 trading what actually occurred: posts Construct trading posts between the Sioux and Minnetarees territories Retain majority of men to reach the Big Horn Fort, and winter there until spring of 1810. Take those men to Three Forks and construct a fort – trap and trade with the Blackfeet

According to Hiram Chittenden, the group departed May 9, 1809, with 150 men in attendance. 8 The Rickaree – eg., Indians were situated on the north bank of the Missouri river bend where the flow is nearly westerly, about six-miles north However, General James indicates that the Chief was of the Grand River (now in Corson County, SD.) delivered home on September 24, 1809, indicating that the support team left St Louis on June 15th. This information was backed up by the Gazette (local St

9 7 Refer to Fur Contract – James 10 Refer to Transport Contract – Appendix C. Chapter 2A-Page 9 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 10 of 20

James and others suspected that Lisa, who was a friend of the Rickarees, enjoined them to resist Sgt Prior’s earlier attempt to deliver the Chief – so as to later gain control of the fur business in the north.

During the 1809 journey, Captain Chouteau, Col Menard and Manual Lisa acted jointly in conducting the expedition. James (before his military career) at that time was steersman for one of the keel boats having 24 American men under his command. There were 13-barges in all at the start according to his journal. Dr. Thomas, company surgeon, and Reuben Lewis, brother to

‘Merryweather Lewis’, Governor, were in his barge (keel boat On 3 May 1809, Lisa took consignment of over $6,271 as noted in other documents?) The ascent of the Missouri was materials needed for the journey.11 made by rowing, pushing with poles (cordeling13), or pulling

with ropes, warping or sailing. They started out in good spirits. Also according to Lisa’s summary of departure events, In an article from John Palliser, The Solitary Hunter, London, he started the entire expedition from St Louis with 350 1856 article, he wrote: “Reuben Lewis commands one boat in men, ½-half were Americans12 and the rest were which the Americans are together; two men for one oar and they Canadian French, [French] Creoles from Kasaskia, St still complain. I am fearful that more will desert and that we Louis and other places. The French were all veteran will be obliged to leave another boat.” [Extracted from: “Lisa voyageurs, and familiar with boating and trapping. to Clark Letter, 2 July 1809.”] Some were enlisted from Detroit, and hired by the year.

Dr Thomas returned to St Louis on 20 November, 1809 along with Pierre Chouteau according to the Gazette. No 11 The manuscript is in Papers of the St. Louis Part 2 Reel 17 record of the others that probably accompanied them. Volume 1 "St. Louis Missouri Fur Co. St. Louis Record Book 1809-1812" 150pp. from Chouteau Family Collection, Missouri Historical Society, St According to James, when the expedition arrived at the Louis MO. (Appendix 4) Mandan Village they only had ten Americans remaining, out of the 175 Americans they started with (most had 12 The term ‘Americans’ is very misleading. Soon after the was purchased, all inhabitants became American Citizens. The left in disgust a few weeks earlier). At that time there probable meaning is that these persons had to have resided in the US land, were 31 deserters’ names recorded & nine others lost and not Louisiana land. Lisa acquired the French speaking Creoles from Detroit, apparently for that purpose. It is doubtful that James new the distinction, and presumed them to simply be non-American. 13 As spelled in the journal. Chapter 2A-Page 11 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 12 of 20 due to injuries – leaving a total of 142 men. The number gear that James and two others (Miller and McDaniel) of men left at Cedar Island wasn’t recorded; but an purchased from him. James and the other two carved a estimate would be 20-men, leaving 122 to construct and canoe from a tree trunk and prepared to travel to the fur man the new fort on the Knife River, return the extra trapping area. Failing to reach any great distance by barges/boats to St Louis, support Lisa’s travels to the water, they constructed a winter cabin from which James Yellowstone Fort, and construct the Three Forks’ Fort. remained there while Miller and McDaniel left to trap. There was no plan for any member to remain at the Big James was visited by two Canadians and an American Horn River Fort. Dr. Thomas and Pierre Chouteau (Ayers) from the Manuel Lisa Fort on the Missouri, who returned to St Louis – arriving there on 20 November were delivering messages to Manuel’s Fort on the Big 1809. Horn. They stated that they met Miller and McDaniel enroute, and that these two won’t be returning soon. Travel on the Missouri & Construction of Forts James then joined these men, and proceeded to the Big Horn. The first fort constructed enroute upriver by Lisa was built on Cedar Island and initially called ‘Fort aux It was near the Gros-Ventres, along the Missouri River, Cedras’ [Cedar Fort] in 1809 by some14 of his crew who where Lisa had a second fort constructed during this stayed behind. The fort was soon burned by the Sioux, 1809 journey. It was a square block house, with a lower and all supplies and furs were lost. Currently that land is part which was a storage room for the furs. The upper under water. The island earlier had another fort built part was inhabited by Rueben Lewis and some hunters. there; called Regis Loisel’s Post (constructed 1802). There were some small outhouses, and the whole affair Later, in 1822 another fort was built on the island, and was surrounded by palisades, about 15-feet tall. There named Fort Recovery15. was a garden, and they grew peas, beans, salad, radishes and vegetables. Upon reaching the Gros-Ventres Village (Fort Mandan location), the larger boats were unloaded and sent back to St Louis. The Lisa crews forego their commitment to furnish traps, guns, etc, as deemed in their contract with the remaining ten Americans. As a result the Americans felt cheated! Of a passing good luck, had just arrived, and he had extra traps, and miscellaneous

14 Number of persons left at this post was not identified. 15 Cedar Island is now at the bottom of Lake Francis Case. The lake was formed by creation of Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, SD. (L&C Journals’ Vol 1, p155 mention the Island location.)

Chapter 2A-Page 13 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 14 of 20

According to the attached map it was about 12-miles north of Knife River. While some members of the expedition remained behind, Andrew Henry guided about 40 men on horseback overland to the Fort on the Yellowstone, the remainder later (1810 springtime?) After 19-days of painful travel the three American men traveled by boat upstream. (There is no account of the reached “Manuel’s Fort” on the Big Horn. At that place exact number remaining at the Yellowstone fort). they found most of the original crew and a small detachment of Lisa’s Company men whom he had left behind in the fall of 1808. During the months from 1808, the fort was manned by a small garrison of men from the original 1807 sojourn. Col Pierre Menard was in charge of the fort, although he was supposed to have been sent from the Gros Ventres Fort back to St Louis. James and the others rested for a few days and then joined up with a group of 32 trappers from the original crew [1809] who were departing for Three Forks. John Colter was the guide for this event. After about 12 days of travel they entered a mountain gap and it snowed very hard, causing their tents to become covered and crushed, and the backs of their horses were just visible above the dense snowfall. They traveled four-miles the next day, and finally reached the Gallatin River. By this time all Chapter 2A-Page 15 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 16 of 20 members were snow-blinded. After being starved and very weak, they teamed up with another group of original trappers [1809] from the Lisa Fort that had departed a few days earlier [this must have been the rest of the crew that started out by boat]. This group was also starving, and snow-blinded. Traveling together they finally reached the Three Forks area on April 3, 1810, ten months after leaving St Louis, and two months after leaving the James cabin that was slightly north of the Gros Ventres village. It was here that they started to build the Three Forks fort. Dougherty, Brown, Ware and James agreed to trap the Missouri between the Forks (Three forks) and the Falls (Great Falls). Two canoes were carved from trees, and within four days of arrival they departed, along with the remaining Americans and some French, 18 in all16.

The fort was a double stockade of logs set three-feet deep, and enclosed an area of about 300-feet square. Lisa in 1811, while at the fort wrote the following letter17 – indicating that he sent 23 of his [1809] trappers from one of his forts (Fort Manuel Lisa) on the Missouri to that location, thus further reducing the remaining numbers.

16 Ibid, James, Page 66. 17 “The Southwestern Quarterly, VOL XVII, No. 1, July 1913 Chapter 2A-Page 17 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 18 of 20 to be a corral stockade adjacent to the .18

That left only the small original 1807 cadre of men at the Big Horn Fort, and there were no references to any additional construction being made to that small dwelling. Since the trappers from the 1809 expedition had their own tents for shelter, no additional temporary construction was needed for the short time they rested there. It appears that Oglesby’s assumption was in error. The group appears to be in a great hurry to get to the Three-Forks region and start trapping. The expansion apparently was the addition of what appears

18 Denoted on Wm Clark map of July 1806 – annotated on original drawing. Chapter 2A-Page 19 of 20 Chapter 2A-Page 20 of 20