This letter describes Clark's efforts to outfit the Atkinson Expedition to the Yellowstone River. The letter also discusses the City of Saint Louis, where Lt. Clark was staying at the time.
This pair of autograph letters are from Lieutenant Isaac Clark to his Father, Colonel Isaac Clark of Vermont, describing his efforts to outfit the Atkinson Expedition to the Yellowstone River. Letters also discuss the City of Saint Louis, where Lt. Clark was staying at the time.
The Yellowstone Expedition detailed in these letters is a little-known but significant early western expedition. It was organized in 18191 and was under the command of Col. (later Brigadier General) Henry Atkinson. The group was charged with ascending the Missouri River by steamboat (an early attempt at such travel on the Missouri) to establish a series of forts along the river to protect the American fur trade, guard against hostile Indians, and counteract the presence of the British Hudson’s Bay Company in the region. The expedition ultimately reached the “Council Bluff” in eastern Nebraska, where they established Fort Atkinson, near the Missouri River. The troops at Fort Atkinson endured a harsh winter in 1819-1820, and lack of provisions left them susceptible to scurvy and other diseases, which ultimately claimed between 100 and 200 lives. Clark’s letters give a rare firsthand account of the logistics and provisions of the expedition.
Both letters are written by Lieut. Clark, to his father, Col. Isaac Clark in Castleton, Vermont. Isaac Clark, Sr. (1742-1822) had a military career that spanned some fifty years. He fought in the Revolutionary War, participating in the Battle of Bennington (1777) and the recapture of Fort Ticonderoga (1778). During the War of 1812 he led Vermont troops in patrolling the border with Quebec to prevent smuggling and led several military forays into Quebec. He also served in several political and judicial positions in Vermont.
Letter from Zébulon Pike to Daniel Bissell in May of 1806. Bissell discussing logistics the rejection of Colonel Hammond's promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.
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of paper. I am much oblidged to you for the pains you took relative to the letter addressed to Gove. Harrison by S. Harrison- I shall address a letter to the former, relative to his strictures on that letter; which may insince him to think, that he wanted foundation for his assertion: relative to my makeing use of the Arms of the United States de de. I have made a demand of the depositions you... Show more of paper. I am much oblidged to you for the pains you took relative to the letter addressed to Gove. Harrison by S. Harrison- I shall address a letter to the former, relative to his strictures on that letter; which may insince him to think, that he wanted foundation for his assertion: relative to my makeing use of the Arms of the United States de de. I have made a demand of the depositions you requested Show less
Letter from Zebulon Pike to Daniel Bissell in June of 1806. Pike asks for Bissell to handle various troop transfers.
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No 6 Dr. Sir St. Louis. 15 June 1806 When I last wrote to you I did not know that the Detach meet under my command belonged to you company; but within a a day or two since I learnt that piece of information. I have therefore enclosed you a muster Roll of the Detachment & have marked an R. opposite to those, who are mustered as [ ] Bissells- You will see on this Role the Alterations which ha... Show moreNo 6 Dr. Sir St. Louis. 15 June 1806 When I last wrote to you I did not know that the Detach meet under my command belonged to you company; but within a a day or two since I learnt that piece of information. I have therefore enclosed you a muster Roll of the Detachment & have marked an R. opposite to those, who are mustered as [ ] Bissells- You will see on this Role the Alterations which have taken place- and can note them accordingly- I am aboute going on another long and Ardrous command and shall take the same Detachment- You would probably be serveing your company if you had them transferd to your Brothers- I acknowledge I am interested in the Idea, as it would then be possible I would get the m if promoted- but do not think that I ever have myself requested this thing to the Genl- and although they are a Darn�d set of rascals yet in the woods they are staunch fellows and very profile for such expeditions as I am engaged in- You have an account inclosed of the amount Show less
Letter from the fur trading businessman John Jacob Astor to Charles Gratiot of St. Louis in July of 1811 about the Astoria expedition led from St. Louis to the Pacific Coast under the leadership of Wilson Price Hunt. Astor asked if Gratiot had any information about Hunt's party.
This letter describes Clark's efforts to outfit the Atkinson Expedition to the Yellowstone River. Letters also discuss the area of Belle Fontaine and the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, where Lt. Clark was staying at the time. Written from Belle Fontaine, Missouri and postmarked Saint Louis, Missouri.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother on his way to St. Louis from Paducah. Samuel was with him on the boat and they are not sure how the boat would perform. He was afraid the draft was not right despite that they had not given it a fair trial.They had only had a few drunken firemen. He said the boat is alright, but drew a little more water than he expected. Moore expects the boat to trim on
Letter from Enos B. Moore on not lacking a staffing solution for the addressee. He mentioned purchasing extra flour in St. Louis at $8.00 per bushel, and that he did not know any young men who were idle to be an engineer for the addressee. Moore mentioned knowing Henderson Squires was an engineer in New Orleans who was available. Henderson had written and not received a response, so Moore assumed
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother discussing the war and investment prospects. He believed Duvall was wavering now to the success of the Rebellion. Things seemed to be quieting on the river, and there had not been disturbances by guerillas. He mentioned that if people would leave Uncle Abe alone, he would settle the question of coercion. Moore heard of farmers now desiring to raise sheep
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his wife to assure her she was not forgotten in his absence. He spent the previous evening at Captain Young's and found all of them well except Captain Young, who was ill but improving. Mary and Harry had just returned from a visit to Mrs. Hollingsworth. She was getting along well, and had received his wife's letter. Moore, along with William, Lizzie, and Duvall
Letter from Enos B. Moore to Maria discussing how he misses her presence already, and he hoped to return on time. He felt lonely in the world, but even though she was absent her heart was with him. He had heard a report of the river at St. Louis rising, and being clear of ice. He thought of the risk a woman took in entrusting her happiness to a man and how he was to assume a fearful
Letter from Enos B. Moore to William from Hiawatha. The steamboat Oglesby had been laid up at St. Louis. He was going to go down and arrange for some money to be sent to the bank for Mr. Moore. The shafts had been made, and most of the work was done except for the boilers and a few other tasks. Work was to be done in the shop for the remaining tasks and the engines. The steamboat Crescent had
Letter from Enos B. Moore to William, sent from about fifty miles south of Memphis. He mentioned that Captain Gould, the superintendent of the line, was on board and stated the boats would not try to make their regular time until after the ice cleared. Their schedules had run out and other boats were laying up. He planned to spend three days in St. Louis to do some sheet iron work and would write
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his wife regarding her meeting him in St. Louis. He mentioned having been delayed in St. Louis, but was finally on his way to New Orleans. He hoped to make up time there and return to St. Louis on schedule. Moore wanted his wife to meet him there and instructed her that if she arrived before them, to go ahead to the Barnum's Hotel as it was quiet and as good as any
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother discussing business. He mentioned being on the steamboat Prentiss. He referred to Captain Jo Brown not being able to dock when he previously travelled. He mentioned Captain Titus Brown was there to help load luggage and move it. The fare was going up from Vicksburg to Cairo or St. Louis.
This narrative was written by Edward Thomas Bruckner, a mate aboard the steamer Republic, on January 15, 1910. In it, he details the breaking of the 1910 ice gorge at St. Louis. The damage caused by this event would forever reshape river commerce on the Mississippi. Entire fleets were destroyed and companies collapsed, paving the way for new names in the river trade.