The fork in the River June 1805

Today as we sailed and trudged up the missouri we came to a fork in the gigantic river. On the northwest fork of the missouri it was dark, muddy, and turbulent. But the other fork that came from the southwest was wider and clearer. Which one was the real missouri? A large majority of the men agreed that the Northwest fork was the best choice for the expedition. Captain Lewis and Captain Clark both knowing that the decision would determine the fate of the expedition sent scouts up each fork and set up camp waiting for them to return. When the scouts returned with their reports the Captains still believed that southwest fork was the real missouri and went to check for themselves. Captain Lewis took a group of men up the Northwest fork and Captain Clark took a group of men up the southwest fork. Captain Clark had not gone far up before he was sure that the southwest fork was the Missouri. He told us that he had carved his name into a tree and headed back down to camp. We await the return of Captain Lewis and his group with his information.