The End of Navigation by River
Journal 2005 08 10
The End of Navigation by River
Their minds set on finding horses, Lewis sets off with three men by foot much to Clark’s dismay. Clark remarks that but for the large and painful abscess on his ankle this part of the mission should be his responsibility. I am not enough of a Lewis and Clark historian to yet understand this assignment of Clark to the initial contact with Indian nations but it does seem to be the pattern. Clark leads the party with canoes and gear further up the Jefferson River.
On the 6th George Shannon, the first and youngest member of the Corps, was sent ahead to hunt with the overland party. The party determined they were headed up a deadend and corrected their course leaving a note for Shannon. On the 7th Reubin Fields was dispatched to find Shannon, as he is yet to return. Shannon is the same soldier who was separated from the main party for fifteen days back on the plains of the Missouri. My guess is they were afraid of the letting him get too far afield in these rugged mountains. At camp that night the men fired their guns and sounded the trumpet hoping to alert Shannon to their location. He still had not arrived. Finally, on the morning of the 9th, Shannon rejoined the main party after coming back down the river and chasing the party up the Jefferson. It is not recorded in Lewis or Clark’s records, but being the youngest soldier in the Corps must have received some good-natured ribbing regarding his extended hunting trip.
Sacagawea again recognizes the area they are in as near the summer grounds of her nation. It gives Lewis hope. He laments and vows that he is determined to proceed with a small party to find the Columbia and press on until he finds some Indians with horses even if it takes a month. He has arrived at a point where he determines that further river navigation is not possible. So, with this simple proclamation, the journey up the Missouri River is over. Some 2475 miles upstream. Very near the Continental Divide. Lewis notes the extraordinary nature of the river system and it navigability to such heights as they have attained. He also deduces from their nearness to snow-covered mountaintops that they have gained much more elevation than they could estimate based on the relatively gradual nature of their assent. They left the prairie at about 2,000ft of elevation and now reside at just about a mile, or 5280ft. above sea level.
Lewis still holds out hope that the Columbia could be as easy to navigate as the Missouri has proven to be. Leaving the possibility of a navigable portage alive.
Have you ever gone as far as you can go and ended up somewhere where you needed help to keep going? That is exactly where Meriwether Lewis stood. The success of the mission depended upon help from a source out of reach to him.
In our Kingdom of God world, we would say that God had them right where He wanted them! At the end of their abilities and dependent upon His intervention for their success. My guess is most of us, I know I am, are in this very place. Take courage! He is faithful.
The End of Navigation by River
Their minds set on finding horses, Lewis sets off with three men by foot much to Clark’s dismay. Clark remarks that but for the large and painful abscess on his ankle this part of the mission should be his responsibility. I am not enough of a Lewis and Clark historian to yet understand this assignment of Clark to the initial contact with Indian nations but it does seem to be the pattern. Clark leads the party with canoes and gear further up the Jefferson River.
On the 6th George Shannon, the first and youngest member of the Corps, was sent ahead to hunt with the overland party. The party determined they were headed up a deadend and corrected their course leaving a note for Shannon. On the 7th Reubin Fields was dispatched to find Shannon, as he is yet to return. Shannon is the same soldier who was separated from the main party for fifteen days back on the plains of the Missouri. My guess is they were afraid of the letting him get too far afield in these rugged mountains. At camp that night the men fired their guns and sounded the trumpet hoping to alert Shannon to their location. He still had not arrived. Finally, on the morning of the 9th, Shannon rejoined the main party after coming back down the river and chasing the party up the Jefferson. It is not recorded in Lewis or Clark’s records, but being the youngest soldier in the Corps must have received some good-natured ribbing regarding his extended hunting trip.
Sacagawea again recognizes the area they are in as near the summer grounds of her nation. It gives Lewis hope. He laments and vows that he is determined to proceed with a small party to find the Columbia and press on until he finds some Indians with horses even if it takes a month. He has arrived at a point where he determines that further river navigation is not possible. So, with this simple proclamation, the journey up the Missouri River is over. Some 2475 miles upstream. Very near the Continental Divide. Lewis notes the extraordinary nature of the river system and it navigability to such heights as they have attained. He also deduces from their nearness to snow-covered mountaintops that they have gained much more elevation than they could estimate based on the relatively gradual nature of their assent. They left the prairie at about 2,000ft of elevation and now reside at just about a mile, or 5280ft. above sea level.
Lewis still holds out hope that the Columbia could be as easy to navigate as the Missouri has proven to be. Leaving the possibility of a navigable portage alive.
Have you ever gone as far as you can go and ended up somewhere where you needed help to keep going? That is exactly where Meriwether Lewis stood. The success of the mission depended upon help from a source out of reach to him.
In our Kingdom of God world, we would say that God had them right where He wanted them! At the end of their abilities and dependent upon His intervention for their success. My guess is most of us, I know I am, are in this very place. Take courage! He is faithful.
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 1:00 PM
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