September 7, 1806, south of Blair, NE,
The group camped at a trading post previously used and built by James McKay, who had traveled this route before, made a map and sent his map to Thomas Jefferson & Meriwether Lewis in 1803. Map picture shown.
The Lewis & Clark expedition uses most of the day to hunt, find missing hunters, and harvest three elk. Clark notes the rate at which his ink dries out. After 44 miles, mosquitoes are at camp to greet them.
“that the distance across from the little Sioux river was about 1½ miles only, the bottoms thick and Grass very high. We proceeded on with a Stiff Breeze ahead. Portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we ascended this river, and it now appears to be greater than it was at that time. I am obliged to replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh ink at least 9/10 of which must evaporate. we proceeded on to a bottom on the S W Side a little above the Soldiers river and Came too and Sent out all the hunters. They killed 3 Elk which was at no great distance we Sent out the men and had the flesh brought in Cooked and Dined. Sgt. Ordway Came up & after taking a sumptious dinner we all Set out at 4 P M wind ahead as usual. At Dusk we came too on the lower part of a Sand bar on the S W side found the mosquitors excessively tormenting not withstanding a Stiff breeze from the S. E. A little after dark the wind increased the mosquitors dispersed our camp of this night is about 2 miles below our Encampment of the 4th of august 1804 ascending we came 44 miles to day only” – W. Clark.