Expedition Journals
Culture:
Language: English
Date: 1804-1805
Contributor: Dunbar, William, 1749-1810 | Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834
Subject: Ethnography | Travel | Expeditions
Type: Text
Genre: Journals
Extent: 1 volume
Description: This collection contains three manuscript journals of exploration expedition, bound together in one volume: one journal by Zebulon Pike, two journals by William Dunbar. The Pike journal documents the expedition to explore the geography of the Mississippi River led by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike in 1805-1806, and his attempts to purchase sites from the Dakota Indians for future military posts, and to bring influential chiefs back to St. Louis for talks. Dunbar's journald document the expedition up the Red and Ouachita Rivers to the Hot Springs of Arkansas in 1804-1805. The "Journal... to the Mouth of the Red River" (200p.) is the fullest available record of the activities of the expedition from the time of their departure from St. Catharine's Landing on October 16, 1804, until their return to Natchez, Miss., on January 26, 1805. The "Journal of a geometrical survey" includes a record of course and distances as well as a thermometrical log and other brief notes. The second of these mention Osage and Caddo, their relations with whites (enemies and friends), trade to Osages with Delaware Indian as aid, and Chickasaw.
Collection: Expedition Journals Mss.917.7.D91