Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Quotes About Fiddling and Dancing
by Phil and Vivian Williams

Lewis and Clark brought the first fiddlers to the Pacific Northwest whose fiddle playing can be documented. While other Americans and Europeans had explored pieces of the landscape from Missouri to the Pacific Northwest, this U.S. Army expedition was the first full U.S. government exploration of "The Great West." It crossed or touched what are now the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

Meriwether Lewis was picked by President Jefferson to lead the expedition, and Lewis picked William Clark as his second in command. At that time Clark was living in Clarksville, Indiana Territory. On October 26, 1803, Clark recruited Private George Gibson for the expedition. Gibson was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Maryland, and was working in Kentucky as a woodsman and carpenter when Clark recruited him. He also played the fiddle, and thus the expedition had acquired its first fiddler.

In May of 1804, the Corps of Discovery brought their boats to St. Charles, Missouri, and continued to make preparations for the expedition, including the recruitment of two more members. Pierre (Peter) Cruzatte was born in St. Louis. His father was French and his mother, Omaha Indian, and he was fluent in Omaha and sign language, and he played the fiddle. Though blind in one eye, he was an experienced boatman who had been up the Missouri River in the fur trade with the Indians. Shortly before the Corps of Discovery headed up the Missouri River, Cruzatte signed on as a private. The expedition had acquired its second fiddler.

Several members of the expedition kept journals, which contain many references to fiddle music and dancing. Early on, Lewis and Clark found that the Indians they encountered really liked the fiddling and asked many times along the way for the violin to be played and for the men to dance. The expedition used the fiddling to get in good with the Indians for safe passage and bartering for supplies they needed. We call this “fiddle diplomacy,” and believe that the expedition may not have been successful without the fiddling.

While fiddling and dancing appear many times in the journals, none of the titles of the tunes played are mentioned. The tunes would have been dance tunes extant in 1804 and familiar in the U.S.

We also know very little about the dancing that was done. Other than the rather vague account of York’s dancing on January 1, 1805, the only description we have of the dancing comes from the oral history of the Nez Perce Indians. In 1936, Chief Many Wounds (Sam Lott), the great grandson of Red Bear, a Nez Perce chief who helped Lewis and Clark, included stories handed down in his family about Lewis and Clark in his typewritten manuscript Historic Sketches of the Nez Perces: Personal Incidents in the Lives of the Famous Chiefs of the Nez Perce. He said “first time Nez Perces see fiddle one man he play and sing and all others mans dance different kind dance than Indians war dance and negro York he do lots dance with feet and looks funny, all people laugh every body was happy.” And “One white man named Potts . . . he boss other mans how to do funny dance and sing songs, and all laugh and Lewis paint faces of Nez Perces with red paint.” This indicates to us that York was step dancing, and that Sergeant Potts was calling a cotillion (an early form of square dance) or a longways set dance.

Most of the following quotes are from Gary E. Moulton (ed.), The Definitive Journals of Lewis & Clark, (13 Vols.; Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2002-2004). There are also a few from Nicholas Biddle’s History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, ed. Paul Allen, (2 Vols.; Philadelphia: Bradford & Inskeep, 1814), and Elliott Coues (ed.), History of the Expedition Under the Command of Lewis and Clark, A New Edition, (4 Vols; New York: Francis P. Harper, 1893; reprint, New York: Dover, 1965). They are in chronological order. The location where the journal entry was made is followed by the name of the expedition member from whose journal it is taken in brackets [ ]. After the quote is the source and page number. The misspellings are from the original journals, and from a time when English language spellings were not yet standardized. Some of the entries are redundant, since the journal writers often re-wrote their entries or copied from each other.

May 17, 1804, along the Missouri River at St. Charles, Missouri
[entry by Sgt. Ordway in Orderly Book]
“at the Same court was tried John Collins Charged 1st for being absent without leave - 2nd for behaveing in an unbecomeing manner at the Ball last night ....”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 2, 236

May 18, 1804
[Pvt. Whitehouse ]
“passed the evening verry agreeable dancing with the french ladies, &c”

“part of this day we were employ'd, procuring necessary's for our Voyage; in the Evening we were amused at a Ball, which was attended by a number of the French ladies, who were remarkably fond of dancing.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 10

May 19, 1804
[Capt. Clark]
“I am invited to a ball in the Village, let Several of the men go”
Footnote on p 240 says “Whitehouse was probably among them, although he has dated the entry May 18. He refers to ‘verry agreeable dancing with the french ladies, &c.’”

[Capt. Clark]
“I recve an invitation to a Ball, it is not in my power to go.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 2, 239

June 11, 1804, along the Missouri River between the Osage River and the Kansas River
[Capt. Clark]
“our hunters killed two Deer, G Drewry killed 2 Bear in the Prareie to day, men verry lively Danceing & Singing &c.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 2, 293

August 16, 1804, with the Omaha Indians near present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa
[Sgt. Ordway]
“the party in high Spirits fiddleing & danceing last night.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 40

August 18, 1804
[Capt. Clark]
“had a Dance which lasted untile 11 oClock, the Close of Cap Lewis Birthday.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 2, 488

[Capt. Clark]
“the evening was closed with an extra Gill of Whiskey & a Dance untill 11 oClock.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 2, 489

October 12, 1804, with the Arikara Indians, approaching the Mandan villages in present-day North Dakota
[Sgt. Ordway]
“a Clear & pleasant morning. the Indians assembled on the bank near us for to Trade with us. they wanted red paint mostly, but would Give whatever they had to Spare for any kind of Goods one of the men Gave an Indian a pin hook & the Indian Gave him in return a pair of Moggisins we Gave them Some Small articles of Goods for Buffalow Robes & Moggn. &.C. the officers went to the villages in order to hear what the chiefs had to Say. They Gave us 10 or 12 bushels of corn & beans &.C. &.C. the officers came on board about 12 oClock took a Good Indian with us who had been to the head of the Missouri River. about 1 oClock we Set off the fiddle playing & the horns Sounding &.C. little abo. the Towns we Saw a great nomber of Squaws employed in toteing wood across the River in their Buffalow hide cannoes proceeded on.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 83

October 30, 1804, wintering at the Mandan villages / Fort Mandan, in present-day central North Dakota
[Capt. Clark]
“the Party Danced which Delited the <Savages> Indians.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 215

[Capt. Clark]
“on my return found maney Inds. at our Camp, gave the party a dram, they Danced as is verry Comn. in the evening which pleased the Savages much.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 216

October 31, 1804
[Capt. Clark]
“In the evening the Chief Visited us Dressed in his new Suit, & delayed until late the men Dancd until 10 oClock which was common with them “
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 218

[Capt. Clark]
“Soon after those Chiefs left us the Grand Chief of the Mandans Came Dressed in the Clothes we had given with his 2 Small Suns, and requested to See the men Dance which they verry readily gratified him in”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 219

November 27, 1804
[Capt. Clark]
“The two Chiefs much pleased with their treatments & the Cherefullness of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c. &c.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 241

[Sgt. Ordway]
“ we had a dance this evening. Rivet danced on his head &C”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 98

December 25th 1804
[Capt. Clark]
“I was awakened before Day by a discharge of 3 platoons [1] from the Party and the french, the men merrily Disposed, I give them all a little Taffia and permited 3 Cannon fired, at raising Our flag, Some men went out to hunt & the Others to Danceing and Continued untill 9 oClock P, M, when the frolick ended &c.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 261

[Sgt. Ordway]
“we fired the Swivels at day break & each man fired one round. our officers Gave the party a drink of Taffee. we had the Best to eat that could be had, & continued firing dancing & frolicking dureing the whole day. the Savages did not Trouble us as we had requested them not to come as it was a Great medician day with us. we enjoyed a merry cristmas dureing the day & evening untill nine oClock—all in peace & quietness.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 106

[Sgt. Gass]
“The morning was ushered in by two discharges of a swivel, and a round of small arms by the whole corps. Captain Clarke then presented to each man a glass of brandy, and we hoisted the American flag in the garrison, and its first waving in fort Mandan was celebrated with another glass.— The men then cleared out one of the rooms and commenced dancing. At 10 o'clock we had another glass of brandy, and at 1 a gun was fired as a signal for dinner. At half past 2, another gun was fired, as a notice to assemble at the dance, which was continued in a jovial manner till 8 at night; and without the presence of any females, except three squaws, wives to our interpreter, [2] who took no other part than the amusement of looking on. None of the natives came to the garrison this day; the commanding officers having requested they should not, which was strictly attended to. During the remainder of the month we lived in peace and tranquility in the garrison, and were daily visited by the natives.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 10, 68

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“we ushred in the morning with a discharge of the Swivvel, and one round of Small arms of all the party. then another from the Swivel. then Capt. Clark presented a glass of brandy to each man of the party. we hoisted the american flag and each man had another Glass of brandy. the men prepared one of the rooms and commenced dancing. at 10 oC. we had another glass of brandy, at one a gun was fired as a Signal for diner. half past two another gun was fired to assemble at the dance, and So we kept it up in a jovel manner untill Eight oC. at night, all without the compy. of the female Seck, except three Squaws [4] the Intreptirs wives and they took no part with us only to look on. agreeable to the officers request the natives all Stayed at their villages all day.—“
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 113

“This morning being Christmass, the day was announced by the discharge of our Swivels, and one Round from our small arms of the whole company; about 7 o'Clock A. M. we fired our Swivels again, when Captain Clark came out of his quarters, and presented a Glass of Brandy to each Man of our party.— He then ordered the American Flag to be hoisted, which being done; he presented them again with another Glass of brandy.— The Men then prepared one of the Rooms, and commenced dancing, we having with us Two Violins & plenty of Musicans in our party.—

At 10 o'Clock A. M. the whole of the party were again served with another Glass brandy they continued dancing 'till 1 o'Clock P. M. when our Cannon was fir'd off, as a signal for dinner, at half an hour past 2 oClock P. M. we fired off our Cannon, and repaired to the Room to dance, which they continued at till 8 o'Clock P. M. There was none of the Mandans, Excepting 3 Squaws our Interpreters Wives at the Fort, the Officer having requested the Natives, to stay in their Towns, which they complied with, the Officers this day named our Fort, Fort Mandan,—“
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 113-114

January 1, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
“The Day was ushered in by the Discharge of two Cannon, we Suffered 16 men [1] with their musick to visit the 1st Village for the purpose of Danceing, by as they Said the perticular request of the Chiefs of that village, about 11 oClock I with an inturpeter & two men walked up to the Village (my views were to alay Some little miss understanding which had taken place thro jelloucy and mortification as to our treatment towards them[)]
I found them much pleased at the Danceing of our men, I ordered my black Servent to Dance which amused the Croud verry much, and Some what astonished them, that So large a man Should be active &c. &.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 266-267

[Sgt. Ordway]
“we fired a Swivel & drank a Glass. about 9 o.C. 15 of the party went up to the 1st village of Mandans to dance as it had been their request. carried with us a fiddle & a Tambereen & a Sounden horn. as we arived at the entrence of the vil. we fired one round then the music played. loaded again. then marched to the center of the vil, fired again. then commenced dancing. a frenchman danced on his head [2] and all danced round him for a Short time then went in to a lodge & danced a while, which pleased them verry much they then brought victules from different lodges & of different kinds of diet, they brought us also a quantity of corn & Some buffalow Robes which they made us a present off. So we danced in different lodges untill late in the afternoon. then a part of the men returned to the fort the remainder Stayed all night in the village— “
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 107

[Sgt. Gass]
“Two shot were fired from this swivel, followed by a round of small arms, to welcome the New year. Captain Lewis then gave each a glass of good old whiskey; and a short time after another was given by Captain Clarke.
About 11 o'clock one of the interpreters and half of our people, went up, at the request of the natives, to the village, to begin the dance; and were followed some time after by Captain Clarke, and three more men. [3] The day was warm and pleasant. Captain Lewis in the afternoon issued another glass of whiskey; and at night Capt Clarke and part of the men returned from the village, the rest remained all night.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 10, 68

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“2 Guns was discharged from the Swivel to celebrate the new year, a round of Small arms immediately after by each man of the party, a Glass of old ardent Spirits was given. a short time after Capt. Clark gave another. about 10 oClock one of the Intrepters & one half of the party went up to the 1st village of Mandans [4] by their request to dance. Some time after Capt. Clark and 3 more men Came up also. the day was warm and pleasant. in the afternoon Capt. Lewis Gave another glass. in the evening Capt. Clark & Some of the party came home & Some Stayed all night.”

“This being the first day of the Year, we Early this morning fired off our Swivels twice, and immediately after, fired a Volley of small Arms, in honor of the day.— Captain Lewis gave each of the party a Glass of spirit, which was a short time after, repeated by Captain Clark, about 10 o'Clock A. M. One of our Interpreters, and one half of the Men of our party; went up to the first Village of the Mandan Nation, by request of their Chiefs, to dance, they having a desire to see our manner of dancing. The party had not been long arrived at this Village, when Captain Clarke and three more of the Men arrived.— The Men commenced dancing, which the Natives much admir'd, frequently signifying their approbation by a Whoop they gave, In the evening Captain Clark and some of the Men returned, and part of the Men staid all Night at the Village—“
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 115-116

January 2, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
a Snowey morning a party of men go to Dance at the 2nd Village to Dance, Capt Lewis & the interptr visit the 2d Village, and return in the evening”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 282

[Sgt. Ordway]
“Wednesday 2nd Jany. Snowed fast this morning. Capt. Lewis and the Greater part of the party went up to the 2nd village of the mandans a frolicking, after the Same manner as yesterday at the 1st village. a nomber of Indians and Squaws came to the fort from the first village. Brought us corn to pay our blacksmiths [1] for repairing their Squaw axes Bridles &.C. the most of the men returned toward evening & Sd. that the Indians were much diverted at seeing them dance. they used them verry friendly &.C.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 107

[Sgt. Gass]
“The men, who remained at the village last night, returned. Captain Lewis, myself and some others, went up to the second village and amused ourselves with dancing &c. the greater part of the day. In the evening we in general returned and a great number of the natives, men, women and children, came to see us, and appeared highly pleased.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 10, 68

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“the rest of the men came from the village, about 10 oClock Capt. Lewis & the rest of the party who had not been went up to the 2nd village, [3] we danced and amused our Selves the greater part of the [day] which pleased the natives &c. in the evening the most of the men returned home.”

“our Men that had remained at the Indian Village last night returned; About 10 o'Clock A. M. Captain Lewis, and the remainder of our party, that had staid at the Fort, went up to the 2nd Indian Village of the Mandan nation, the party arrived at the Village where they danced, and amused themselves the greater part of the day.— This pleas'd the Inhabitants of this Village exceedingly.— In the Evening the party returned to the Fort.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 116

[Capt. Lewis - remarks on weather chart for January 2, written on January 31]
“visit the Mandans with a party of the men, who danced for their amusement in the lodge of the Black Cat”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 282

January 16, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
“about thirty Mandans Came to the fort to day, 6 Chiefs. Those Me ne ta rees told them they were liars, had told them if they came to the fort the whites men would kill them, they had been with them all night, Smoked in the pipe and have been treated well and the whites had danced for them, observing the Mandans were bad and ought to hide themselves”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 275

March 22, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
“Visited by the 2nd Chief of the Grand Village of the Minetarrees to whome we gave a medal & Some Clothes acknowledging him as a 2d Chief, [2] he Delayed all night, & Saw the men Dance, which is common amusement with the men”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 318

March 23, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
“in The evening the men Danced”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 318

March 30, 1805, at Fort Mandan - getting ready to leave next week
[Capt. Clark]
“All the party in high Spirits, but fiew nights pass without a Dance”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 3, 322

April 26, 1805, at the confluence of the Missouri River and the Yellowstone River in present-day western North Dakota
[Capt. Lewis]
“found them all in good health, and much pleased at having arrived at this long wished for spot, and in order to add in some measure to the general pleasure which seemed to pervade our little community, we ordered a dram to be issued to each person; this soon produced the fiddle, and they spent the evening with much hilarity, singing & dancing, and seemed as perfectly to forget their past toils, as they appeared regardless of those to come.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 70

June 9, 1805, at the junction of the Missouri River and Maria's River in present-day Montana
[Capt. Lewis]
“In the evening Cruzatte gave us some music on the violin and the men passed the evening in dancing singing &c and were extreemly cheerfull.—
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 272

[Capt. Clark]
“Send out 7 men to make a cache or hole to burry the Stores, air out Cloathes &c. &c. finish'd the cache or Seller &c. the men all engaged dressing Skins for their clothes, in the evening the party amused themselves danceing and Singing Songes in the most Social manner.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 274

[Sgt. Ordway]
“in the evening the Capts. revived the party with a dram. they had a frolick fiddled & danced & Sang untill late in the evening.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 165

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“towards evening we had a frolick. the officers gave the party a dram, the fiddle played and they danced late &c”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 191

June 25, 1805, along the Missouri River at the Great Falls in present-day north-central Montana
[Capt. Lewis]
“The party that returned this evening to the lower camp reached it in time to take one canoe on the plain and prepare their baggage for an early start in the morning after which such as were able to shake a foot amused themselves in dancing on the green to the music of the violin which Cruzatte plays extreemly well.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 332

[Capt. Clark]
“the party amused themselves with danceing untill 10 oClock all Chearfullness and good humer, they all tied up their loads to make an early Start in the morning.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 333

[Sgt. Ordway]
“the party amused themselves dancing untill 10 oClock all in cheerfulness and good humour. we tied up all the baggage ready for an eairly Steart in the morning”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 174

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“the party all of us amused ourselves with dancing untill 10 oC. all in cheerfulness and good humor. we all harnised up our back loads of the baggage to make an eairly Steart in the morning.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 211

July 4, 1805, portaging the Great Falls
[Capt. Lewis]
“our work being at an end this evening, we gave the men a drink of sperits, it being the last of our stock, and some of them appeared a little sensible of it's effects the fiddle was plyed and they danced very merrily untill 9 in the evening when a heavy shower of rain put an end to that part of the amusement tho' they continued their mirth with songs and festive jokes and were extreemly merry untill late at night. we had a very comfortable dinner, of bacon, beans, suit dumplings & buffaloe beaf &c. in short we had no just cause to covet the sumptuous feasts of our countrymen on this day.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 362

[Capt. Clark]
“the party amused themselves danceing untill late when a Shower of rain broke up the amusement, all lively and Chearfull”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 4, 362

[Sgt. Ordway]
“it being the 4th of Independence we drank the last of our ardent Spirits except a little reserved for Sickness. the fiddle put in order and the party amused themselves dancing all the evening untill about 10 oClock in a Sivel & jovil manner”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 179

[Sgt. Gass]
“A part of the men were busily engaged at the boat, and other in dressing skins for clothing, until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when we drank the last of our spirits in celebrating the day, and amused ourselves with dancing till 9 o'clock at night, when a shower of rain fell and we retired to rest.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 10, 109

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“towards evening our officers gave the party the last of the ardent Spirits except a little reserved for Sickness. we all amused ourselved dancing untill 10 oClock in the evening. at which time we had a light Shower of rain, the party all in good Spirits keeping up the 4th of July &c. as Independence.”

“Towards evening Our officers gave the party the last of the ardent Spirit that we had (excepting a little that they reserved for sickness)— We amused ourselves with frolicking, dancing &ca. untill 9 o'Clock P. M. in honor of the day.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 217-218

August 26, 1805, with the Shoshone Indians, near present-day Tendoy, ID
[Capt. Lewis]
“matters being thus far arranged I directed the fiddle to be played and the party danced very merily much to the amusement and gratification of the natives, though I must confess that the state of my own mind at this moment did not well accord with the prevailing mirth as I somewhat feared that the caprice of the indians might suddenly induce them to withhold their horses from us without which my hopes of prosicuting my voyage to advantage was lost; however I determined to keep the indians in a good humour if possible, and to loose no time in obtaining the necessary number of horses.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 173

[Captains Lewis and Clark]
“... we wished to purchase 20 more horses. He [Cameahwait] said the Minnetarees had stolen a great number of their horses this spring, but he still hoped he could spare us that number. In order not to lose the present favorable moment, and to keep the Indians as cheerful as possible, the violins were brought out and our men danced, to the great diversion of the Indians. This mirth was the more welcome because our situation was not precisely that which would most dispose us to gayety; for we have only a little parched corn to eat, and our means of subsistence or of success depend on the wavering temper of the natives, who may change their minds to-morrow.”
Coues, History of the Expedition, Vol. 2, 553; Biddle, History of the Expedition, Vol 1, 418

[Sgt. Ordway]
“we Camped near the lodge among the natives. we danced a while this evening. they assembled to see us they all appear verry peaceable and friendly.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 211

[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“ we danced a little this evening. the natives assembled to See us. they all appeared verry friendly and peaceable.”

“The Indians had prepared a large lodge for us, which lay in the Center of their lodges, here we unloaded our baggage, and deposited it. The Indians had about 30 lodges here, which was occupied by Indian Men, women & Children, but their numbers we did not ascertain— In the Evening our party had a Dance & the Natives all attended, they seemed pleased with our mode of dancing, and behaved very peacable & friendly to us. they were called the So-so-nee, or Snake Indians.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 285-286

October 8, 1805, with the Nez Perce Indians, on the Clearwater River, in present-day Idaho
[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“after dark we played the fiddle and danced a little. the natives were pleased to see us.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 344

October 9, 1805
[Pvt. Whitehouse]
“After it was dark some of the party began to play on a Violin and the others fell to a dancing, This pleased the Natives very much, & they seemed delighted at our manner of dancing, These Natives continued at our Camp all Night & one of the Women that were among them was taken with a Crazy fit. This Woman began with singing in the Indian language, and then gave all that was round her some roots, & all those who she offer'd them to, had to take them. One of our Men refused taking them from her, at which she grew Angry, and hove them in the fire, and took from her husband who stood near her, a sharp flint stone, and cut her Arms in many places”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 11, 345

[Sgt. Ordway]
“in the evening Some of our party fiddled and danced, which pleased the natives verry much.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 235

October 19, 1805, with the Walla Walla Indians on the Columbia River near present-day Umatilla, Oregon
[Capt. Clark]
“P. Crusat played on the Violin which pleasd and astonished those reches who are badly Clad”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 303

“Soon after we landed which was at a fiew willow trees about 100 [X: 5] Indians Came from the different Lodges, and a number of them brought wood which they gave us, we Smoked with all of them, and two of our Party Peter Crusat & Gibson played on the violin which delighted them greatly”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 306

[Captains Lewis and Clark]
“We received them in as kind a manner as we could, smoked with all of them, and gave the principal chief a string of wampum; but the highest satisfaction they enjoyed was the music of two of our violins, with which they seemed much delighted.”
Coues, History of the Expedition, Vol 2, 649; Biddle, History of the Expedition, Vol 2, 23

October 24, 1805, with the Wasco / Wishram Indians on the Columbia River near present-day The Dalles, Oregon
[Capt. Clark]
“found Capt Lewis & a Chief from below with maney of his men on a visit to us, one of our Party Pete Crusat played on the violin which pleased the Savage, the men danced”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 329

“The principal Chief from the nation below with Several of his men visited us, and afforded a favourable oppertunity of bringing about a Piece and good understanding between this chief and his people and the two Chiefs who accompanied us which we have the Satisfaction to Say we have accomplished, as we have every reason to believe and that those two bands or nations are and will be on the most friendly terms with each other. gave this Great Chief a Medal and Some other articles, of which he was much pleased, Peter Crusat played on the violin and the men danced which delighted the nativs, who Shew every civility towards us. we Smoked with those people untill late at night, when every one retired to rest.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 335-336

October 26, 1805
[Capt. Clark]
“They deturmined to Stay with us all night, we had a fire made for them & one man played on the violin which pleased them much my Servent danced”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 341

[Capt. Clark]
“we gave to each Chief a Meadel of the Small Size a red Silk handkerchief, arm band, Knife & a piece of Paint, and acknowledged them as chiefs; as we thought it necessary at this time to treat those people verry friendly & ingratiate our Selves with them, to insure us a kind & friendly reception on our return, we gave Small presents to Several, and half a Deer to them to eate. we had also a fire made for those people to Sit around in the middle of our Camp, and Peter Crusat played on the violin, which pleased those nativs exceedingly. the two Chiefs and several men deturmined to delay all night (yorked Danced for the Inds) with us......
“Dried all our wet articles and repared our Canoes to day, and the Party amused themselves at night danceing.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 343

October 29, 1805, with the Klickitat Indians along the Columbia River near present-day Lyle, Washington
[Capt. Clark]
“we Purchased of those people 3 Dogs they gave us High bush cramburies, [11] bread of roots and roots, they were pleased with musick of th violin.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 350

[Capt. Clark]
“we purchased three dogs for the party to eate; we Smoked with the men, all muche pleased with the violin”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 5, 353

[Capts. Lewis and Clark]
“On our first arrival they seemed surprised, but not alarmed, and we soon became intimate by means of smoking and our favorite entertainment for the Indians, the violin.”
Coues, History of the Expedition, Vol 2, 678; Biddle, History of the Expedition, Vol 2, 49

April 16, 1806, with the Wasco / Wishram Indians along the Columbia River near present-day The Dalles, Oregon
[Capt. Clark]
“Peter played the violin and the men danced.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 127

[Capt. Clark]
“after Some Serimony I entered the house of the Chief. I then informed them that I would trade with them for their horses in the morning for which I would give for each horse the articles which I had offered yestered. The Chief Set before me a large platter of Onions which had been Sweeted. I gave a part of those onions to all my party and we all eate of them, in this State the root is very Sweet and the tops tender. the nativs requested the party to dance which they were readily consented and Peter Cruzat played on the Violin and the men danced Several dances & retired to rest in the houses of the 1st and Second Cheif.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 128

April 23, 1806, with the Tenino Indians on the Columbia River at Rock Creek, near present-day Roosevelt, Washington
[Capt. Clark]
“after we had arranged our camp we caused all the old and brave men to set arround and smoke with us. we had the violin played and some of the men danced; after which the natives entertained us with a dance after their method. [2] this dance differed from any I have yet seen. they formed a circle and all sung as well the spectators as the dancers who performed within the circle. these placed their sholders together with their robes tightly drawn about them and danced in a line from side to side, several parties of from 4 to seven will be performing within the circle at the same time. the whole concluded with a premiscuous dance in which most of them sung and danced. these people speak a language very similar to the Chopunnish whome they also resemble in their dress their women wear long legings mockersons shirts and robes. their men also dress with legings shirts robes and mockersons. after the dance was ended the indians retired at our request and we retired to rest. we had all our horses side hubbled and turned out to graize; at this village, a large creek [3] falls in on the N. side which we did not observe as we decended the river. the river is by no means as rapid as when we decended or at least not obstructed with those dangerous rapids the water at present covers most of the rocks in the bed of the river. the natives promised to barter their horses with us in the morning we therefore entertained a hope that we shall be enabled to proceede by land from hence with the whole of our party and baggage.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 160

[Capt. Clark]
“we Caused all the old & brave men to Set around and Smoke with us. we Caused the fiddle to be played and Some of the men danced. after them the nativs danced. they dance different from any Indians I have Seen. they dance with their Sholders together and pass from Side to Side, defferent parties passing each other, from 2 to 7. and 4 parties danceing at the Same time and Concluding the dance by passing promiscuisly throu & beetween each other. after which we Sent of the Indians and retired to bed.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 161

[Captains Lewis and Clark]
“After arranging the camp we assembled all the warriors, and having smoked with them, the violins were produced, and some of the men danced. This civility was returned by the Indians ....”
Coues, History of the Expedition, Vol 3, 964; Biddle, History of the Expedition, Vol 2, 251

[Sgt. Ordway]
“the natives are numerous at this place. they had a dance at our fire this evening. nearly the Same manner & way as those on the Missourie. we played the fiddle and danced &C. Several of the flat heads continue on with us & assist us as much as lyes in their power.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 296

April 25, 1806, with the Walla Walla, Klickitat, and Umatilla Indians, along the Columbia River near present-day Alderdale, Washington
[Capt. Clark]
“had the fiddle played at the request of the natives and some of the men danced.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 166

“a Chief over took us. we had the fiddle played by the request of the nativs and Some of the men danced.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 168

[Captains Lewis and Clark]
“The Pishquitpahs passed the night with us; at their request the violin was played, and some of the men amused themselves with dancing. At the same time we succeeded in obtaining two horses at nearly the same prices which had already been refused in the village.”
Coues, History of the Expedition, Vol 3, 968-969; Biddle, History of the Expedition, Vol. II, 254

[Sgt. Ordway]
“our officers purchased two horses from the Indians who followed us, as they wished to hear the fiddle we played & danced a little to please them.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 297

April 28, 1806, near present-day Walla Walla, Washington. The Chimnahpoms are the Yakima Indians.
[Capt. Clark]
“a little before sunset the Chymnahpos arrived; they were about 100 men and a few women; they joined the Wallahwollahs who were about the same number and formed a half circle arround our camp where they waited very patiently to see our party dance. the fiddle was played and the men amused themselves with dancing about an hour. we then requested the Indians to dance which they very cheerfully complyed with; they continued their dance untill 10 at night. the whole assemblage of indians about 550 men women and children sung and danced at the same time. most of them stood in the same place and merely jumped up to the time of their music. some of the men who were esteemed most brave entered the space arrond which the main body were formed in solid column, and danced in a circular manner sidewise. at 10 P. M. the dance concluded and the natives retired; they were much gratifyed with seeing some of our party join them in their dance.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 178-179

[Capt. Clark]
“a little before Sun Set the Chim nah poms arrived; they were about 100 men and a fiew women; they joined the Wallah wallahs who were about 150 men and formed a half Circle arround our camp where they waited verry patiently to See our party dance. the fiddle was played and the men amused themselves with danceing about an hour. we then requested the Indians to dance untill 10 at night. the whole assemblage of Indians about 350 men women and Children Sung and danced at the Same time. most of them danced in the Same place they Stood and mearly jumped up to the time of their musick. Some of the men who were esteemed most brave entered the Space around which the main body were formed in Solid Column and danced in a Circular manner Side wise. at 10 P M. the dance ended and the nativs retired; they were much gratified in Seeing Some of our Party join them in their dance. one of their party who made himself the most Conspicious Character in the dance and Songs, we were told was a Medesene man & Could foretell things. that he had told of our Comeing into their Country and was now about to Consult his God the moon if what we Said was the truth &c. &c.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 180-181

[Sgt. Ordway]
“our Intrepters wife found a woman of hir own nation who was a prisoner among these Indians, and as they could Speak together our officers Spoke to the head chief & told him our business and that the white people would Supply them with marchandize at the head of the Missourie &C. asked for canoes to cross the river they Said they wished us to Stay with them to day as we lived a great way off, and they wished to See us dance this evening & begged on us to Stay this day. So our officers concluded to Stay this day.........
the chief called all his people and told them of the meddicine &C. which was a great wonder among them & they were much pleased &C. the Indians Sent their women to gether wood or Sticks to See us dance this evening. about 300 of the natives assembled to our Camp we played the fiddle and danced a while the head chief told our officers that they Should be lonesome when we left them and they wished to hear once of our meddicine Songs and try to learn it and wished us to learn one of theirs and it would make them glad. So our men Sang 2 Songs which appeared to take great affect on them. they tryed to learn Singing with us with a low voice. the head chief then made a Speech & it was repeated by a warrier that all might hear. then all the Savages men women and children of any Size danced forming a circle round a fire & jumping up nearly as other Indians, & keep time verry well they wished our men to dance with them So we danced among them and they were much pleased, and Said that they would dance day and night untill we return. everry fiew minutes one of their warries made a Speech pointing towards the enimy and towards the moon &C. &C which was all repeated by another meddison man with a louder voice as all might hear. the dance continued untill about midnight then the most of them went away peaceable & have behaved verry clever and honest with us as yet, and appear to have a Sincere wish to be at peace and to git acquaintance with us &C &C”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 299

April 29, 1806, with the Walla Wallas, near present-day Wallula, Washington
[Capt. Clark]
“they insisted on our dancinq this evening but it rained a little the wind blew hard and the weather was cold, we therefore did not indulge them.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 183

May 10, 1806, with the Nez Perce Indians, on Lawyer Creek, southwest of present-day Kamiah, Idaho
[Sgt. Ordway]
“Some of the women pitched a leather lodge and brought wood & made a fire in it and chiefs invited our officers to Stay in it, and talked together our officers told them our business &C. in the evening we played the fiddle and danced a while a number of Indians came from other villages to See us”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 308

May 11, 1806
[Sgt. Ordway]
“ in the evening we fiddled and danced a while. the natives assembled to See us.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 309

June 8, 1806, at present-day Kamiah, Idaho
[Capt. Lewis]
“several foot races were run this evening between the indians and our men. the indians are very active; one of them proved as fleet as <our best runner> Drewer and R. Fields, our swiftest runners. when the racing was over the men divided themselves into two parties and played prison base, by way of exercise which we wish the men to take previously to entering the mountain; in short those who are not hunters have had so little to do that they are geting reather lazy and slouthfull — after dark we had the violin played and danced for the amusement of ourselves and the indians.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 347

[Capt. Clark]
“in the evening Several foot races were run by the men of our party and the Indians; after which our party divided and played at prisoners base untill night. after dark the fiddle was played and the party amused themselves in danceing.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 7, 347

[Sgt. Ordway]
“our party exercised themselves running and playing games called base in the evening danced after the fiddle as the Indians were anxious to See them.”
[Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 9, 320

September 14, 1806, along the Missouri River near present-day Leavenworth, Kansas
[Capt. Clark]
“our party received a dram and Sung Songs until 11 oClock at night in the greatest harmoney.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 8, 360

September 25, 1806, in St. Louis, Missouri
[Capt. Clark]
“had all of our Skins &c. Suned and Stored away in a Storerooom of Mr. Caddy Choteau. payed Some visits of form, to the gentlemen of St. Louis. in the evening a dinner & Ball.”

Footnote: “The affair was held at William Christy’s tavern. Eighteen toasts were drunk, starting with one to President Jefferson, “The friend of science, the polar star of discovery, the philosopher and the patriot,” and ending with “Captains Lewis and Clark - Their perilous services endear them to every American heart.”
Moulton, The Definitive Journals, Vol 8, 372