Wikipedia:United States Education Program/Courses/American Culture 204 (Frank Kelderman)/Articles/Sandbox Narrative of an Expedition to the Source of the St. Peter's River

Historical Content
An expedition that was ordered by the Honorable J. C. Calhoun the Secretary of War at the time in 1823 to explore the west to the St. Peter's River. Stephen H. Long, Major U. S. T. E. was chosen as the leader for the expedition. The trip began in Philadelphia and set out to eplore the St. Peter's River, which had been discovered at the end of the 17th century. The St. Peter's River is a tributary of the Mississippi River near St. Anthony's Falls.

Authors/Contributors:
Major Long was charged with leading the expedition. His contribution to the work included the historical, topographical, descriptive portions of the work. Mr. Calhoun added the astronomical observations. Mr. Say was a zoologist and botanist. In addition, he included descriptions of the Native Indian peoples that the expedition encountered. William H. Keating, "Professor of Mineralogy and chemistry as applied to the arts, in the University of Pennsylvania; Geologist and Historiographer," to expedition made the geographical observations as well as compiling the notes and observations of the other members of the expedition.

Background on Contributors
Major Stephen H. Long (1784-1864) was a school teacher before entering the US Army in December of 1814. Later, he taught mathematics West Point military Academy in West Point, New York for two years. Major Long had previously been involved in survey of portages of the and Wisconsin river in 1817 and the upper Mississippi, also he was part of the “Yellowstone Expedition” that went from St. Louis to Rocky Mountains via steamboat in 1819.

Summary
Ch. 1: Departure from Philadelphia. Geology of Alleghanies. Cumberland Road. Wheeling.

The St. Peter’s River, to which this expedition was intended to explore, was discovered at the end of 17th century. St. Peter’s River flows into the Mississippi near the location of the St. Anthony's falls. The purpose of the expedition was to first discover the magnitude of the fur trade carried on there by the British and American companies. Secondly, determine whether it was possible to easily go from the St. Peter's River to the Red River. Thirdly, there had been differing reports on the agricultural and natural elements of the region and finally, to determine "topographical, latitude and longitude of remarkable points, animal, vegetation, and mineral, and to enquire into the character, customs, &c. of the Indian tribes inhabiting the same."

Chapter 2: Zanesville. Salt and Iron Works. Columbus. Piqua. Indian Atinquities. Ohio Canals. Fort Wayne.

The second chapter covers the crossing of the Ohio River. Next, it chronicles traveling to Zanesville. In addition, the type of rock and geographic information of the region is explained in great detail. This is followed by the account of the arrival in Columbus, which included the addition of Mr. Calhoun, one of the primary contributors, to the expedition. He had left from Washington City to meet the group in Columbus. The text muses, that the “county about the Muskingum appears to have been at a former period the seat of a very extensive aboriginal population” However, the group was unaware as to which specific Native peoples had lived there. •	Make this observation based on monuments, especially mounds. •	Describe a particular mound in Irville. •	Traveled to Newark o	Met Captain John Cleves Symes, thought to be partially insane, and quite infamous. •	Wished to attain the correct level of wealth in Ohio. o	Agriculture far exceeded need. •	May 21st, left Columbus to head to Piqua, Ohio. o	Found five circular and one elliptic work. •	Some had thought it was a look out post—they decided it was not practical for this purpose, too low. •	Thought it was instead a last resort or stronghold. •	Reached St. Mary’s River and Fort St. Mary’s •	Met no Indians in the state of Ohio. o	Determined that their numbers were diminishing rapidly o	Consisted of Ottawa, Miamis, Senecas, Wyandots. •	Arrived 26th May at Fort Wayne

Chapter 3: Description of Fort Wayne and its vicinity. Fur Trade. Potawatomis. •	Stayed in Fort Wayne for three days •	Learned about the surround Indian manners and customs. •	Discuss the value of furs, prices in that day •	Potawatomis and Miamis received their annuities at Fort Wayne •	The expedition was shown “Little Turtle” which was buried near Fort Wayne o	One of the most celebrated chiefs •	Met one of the great chiefs in the vicinity, Metea (Powatomi) not principal chief but through eloquence gained acclaim o	Potawatomis connected by language, manners, customs and opinions, with Algonquin nations o	Provide lengthy discussions of the native peoples and their customs •	Religion •	Protocol for the dead •	Marriage practices •	Education •	Introduction to alcohol •	Opinions on right and wrong •	Process of annuity payment •	Disease •	Child birth and rearing •	Physical appearance Chapter 4: Carey mission-house. Lake Michigan. Chicago. •	Met Captain Riley at Fort Wayne o	He had formed a settlement on St. Mary River called Willshire in honor of British consul who redeemed him from captivity in Africa. •	Acquired guide Bemis and left Fort Wayne May 29th •	Describe the land, temperature, and vegetation •	Experienced a lot of difficulty with feeding and maintaining the horses •	Traveled along Elkheart river and it’s junction with St. Joseph of Lake Michigan o	There were traces in St. Joseph of Indian and French settlements •	“The very names of the villages mark the difference between their former tenants; those of the Indians were designated by the name of the fruit which grew abundantly on the sport or of the object which they coveted most; while the French missionary has placed his village under the patronage of the tutelary saint in whom he reposed his utmost confidence” (148). o	Visited the Carey Missionhouse: agriculture, schoolroom, and blacksmith shop. •	Took the Chemin Riviere to Lake Michigan which reminded them of an ocean; describe the lake and its contents in great detail •	Reached Chicago and were disappointed that it did not reach the expectations set by past travelers o	“too much uniformity in scenery; the extensive water prospect is a waste unchecked by islands, unenlivened by the spreading cavass, and the fatiguing monotony of which is increased by the equally undiversified prospect of the land scenery” (164). o	Indian agent to Chicago: Dr. Wolcott told of the Indian population surrounding Chicago: •	Intermixed, mainly Potawatomis, Ottawas, and Chippewas

Chapter 5: Rock River. Menomones. Geology of the country of west Lake Michigan. Prarie du Chien. Sauks and Foxes. •	June 11th: had the option to enter the Mississippi at For Armstrong or at Dubuque’s lead mines •	French engagé, Le Sellier directed the party o	Had lived with Indians for 30 years and had Winnebage wife at Rock River •	Met a few Menomones •	Discussion of the Fox River. •	July 14: Reached Rock River—“most important tributary of Mississippi” (180). o	“Division between the hunting grounds claimed by the Potawatomis, on the eastern side, and those of the Sauks, Foxes, and Winnebagoes on the west” (180).

Chapter Six: Prairie du Chien. Indian remains. Division of the party. Mississippi. Dacota villages. Fort St. Anthony. Falls. River St. Peter (235)

The expedition encountered the Mississippi River for the first time. The group arrived at Prairie du Chien, a small village along the Mississippi River, "four or five miles from the mouth of the Wisconsan River," and across from Pike's Mountain. Native American tribes would travel to Prairie du Chien to trade their furs and goods at the end of May every year. Many mounds and indications of former Native populations surrounded the area of Prairie du Chien. To travel to Fort St. Anthony, the group split into a group to travel by water and one to travel by land. June 29th the group reconvened at the village of Redwing and met the chief Shakea.

Chapter Seven: Geology of the Mississippi. The Expedition ascends the St. Peter. Character of the Country. Arrival at Lake Travers. (302).

Chapter Eight: Account of the Dacotas or Sioux Indians. Their divisions into tribes. Their numbers, language, manners and customs. Notice of Wanatan, principal chief of Yanktoanan tribe. Description of the Columbia Fur Company’s establishment on Lake Travers. (376).