NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG3072.AM: Henry Atkinson, 1782-1842
Journal of the Advance Corps of the Military Branch of the Yellowstone Expedition: August 30, 1818 – July 10, 1820
Size: 77 pgs. with transcript, letters and maps on 1 reel of microfilm
BACKGROUND NOTE
“In 1818, Colonel Atkinson was put in command of the military branch of an expedition to explore the Upper Missouri to the mouth of the Yellowstone, and to establish military posts to protect the growing American fur trade and to control the Indians. On August 30, 1818, the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Regiment, under the command of Colonel Talbot Chambers, left its encampment at Belle Fontaine, proceeded up the river and reached Isle des Vaches, October 18, where the winter was spent…”*. This place, Cantonment Martin, was left in August 1819, and the command joined Major Long’s party at Council Bluffs farther up river. Part of the military detachment, joined by Colonel Atkinson, built Cantonment Missouri, where they spent the winter.
*Worthington, A Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Collection of Western Americana, Yale University, 1952, Page 7.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This journal, maintained mainly by Lt. Thomas Kavanaugh, describes the journey, contacts with Indians and fur traders, and life in the cantonments. Also included are a set of 11 letters from Dr. John Gale, surgeon with the party, describing the unhealthy conditions at Cantonment Missouri and a scurvy epidemic.
DESCRIPTION
Reel 1
Journal of the Advance Corps of the Military Branch of the Yellowstone Expedition: August 30, 1818 – July 10, 1820, 77 pgs. with transcript, letters and maps
ADDED ENTRIES:
Atkinson, Henry, 1782-1842
Cantonment Martin
Cantonment Missouri
Explorations
Lisa, Manuel
Yellowstone Expedition
DAB/HEK/ab 07-14-1967
01-27-2010 Revised TMM
