Build a Fort

Journal 2006 08 03
Build a Fort

“…at 8. A. M. I arived at the Junction of the Rochejhone (Yellowstone River) with the Missouri, and formed my Camp imediately in the point between the two river at which place the party had all encamped the 26th of April—1805.”

Clark reaches their camp of almost a year and a half ago at the junction of the Yellowstone River and Mighty Missouri. This point will be a landmark for all travelers up the Missouri and a jump off point for many future mountain men seeking the abundant beaver populations the Captain and his men record on their trip down the Yellowstone.

Captain Clark summarizes the journey to this point in his journal like this. “The distance from the Rocky Mountains at which place I struck the River Rochejhone (Yellowstone) to its enterance into the Missouri 837 Miles 636 Miles of this distance I decended in 2 Small Canoes lashed together in which I had the following Persons. John Shields, George Gibson, William Bratten, W. Labeech, Toust. Shabono his wife & child & my man York. The Rochejhone or Yellow Stone river is large and navagable with but fiew obstructions quite into the rocky mountains. and probably <to head> near it's source. The Country through which it passes from those Mounts. to its junction is Generaly fertile rich open plains the upper portion of which is roleing and the high hills and hill Sides are partially covered with pine and Stoney. The middle portion or from the enterance of Clarks Fork as low as the Buffalow Shoals the high lands Contain Some Scattering pine on the Lard. Side. on the Stard. or S. E. Side is Some hills thickly Supplied with pine. The lower portion of the river but fiew pines are to be Seen the Country opens into extencive plains river widens and Contains more islands and bars; of corse gravel sand and Mud. The Current of this river may be estimated at 4 Miles and ½ pr. hour from the Rocky Mts. as low as Clarks Fork, at 3½ Miles pr. hour from thence as low as the Bighorn, at 3— Miles pr. hour from thence as low as the Tongue river, at 2¾ Miles pr. hour from thence as low as Wolf rapid and at 2½ miles pr. hour from thence to its enterance into the Missouri.”

Clark gives a thoughtful recitation of the advantage of establishing a fort and trading post on the Yellowstone rather than further up the Missouri where Maria’s River empties in. “…to an establishment on this river at clarks Fork the Shoshones both within and West of the Rocky Mountains would willingly resort for the purposes of trade as they would in a great measure be relived from the fear of being attacked by their enimies the blackfoot Indians and Minnetares of fort de Prarie, which would most probably happen were they to visit any establishment which could be conveniently formed on the Missouri.  I have no doubt but the same regard to personal safety would also induce many numerous nations inhabiting the Columbia and Lewis's river West of the mountains to visit this establishment in preference to that at the entrance of Maria's river, particularly during the first years of those Western establishments. the Crow Indians, Paunch Indians Castahanah's and others East of the mountains and south of this place would also visit this establishment; it may therefore be looked to as one of the most important establishments of the western fur trade. at the entrance of Clark's fork there is a sufficiency of timber to support an establishment, an advantage that no position possesses from thence to the Rocky Mountains. The banks of the yellowstone river a bold not very high yet are not subject to be overflown, except for a few miles immediately below where the river issues from the mountain. the bed of this river is almost entirely composed of loose pebble, nor is it's bed interrupted by chains of rock except in one place and that even furnishes no considerable obstruction to it's navigation.”

So Clark has come full circle and given a report advising the President of his recommendation for establishing presence and trade. He gives a good report full of faith for the future and filled with a realistic hope for trade and security as people move westward to the Pacific via the Columbia River.

Clark could have reported that the mosquitoes were oppressive, prickly pear cactus and rattlesnakes threatened your every step, snow-capped mountains stood challenging your very being and tribes of warring Indian nations all would band together to eliminate any intruders. But William Clark was not like ten of the twelve men sent out by Moses to recon the Promised Land. He was Caleb to Joshua. He brought a report that reminds me of this Biblical report of the land of milk and honey.

“And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of the spies, tore their clothes in sorrow and said to the people, "The land we explored is an excellent land. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will take us there and give us that rich and fertile land. Do not rebel against the LORD and don't be afraid of the people who live there. We will conquer them easily. The LORD is with us and has defeated the gods who protected them; so don't be afraid."  (Numbers 14:6-9 GNB)

“Don’t be afraid.” What are we afraid of entering into? Could it be the very promise that God has intended for us? Are we standing at the entrance to the fulfillment of our promise yet afraid? I contend that unless you are fearful you cannot be at the point where you can enter into the Promise that God has laid out before you.

Like Joshua and Caleb and Lewis and Clark, choose to give a good report. A report filled with faith in God to deliver the fulfillment of His promises to conquer, rule and reign in the places He has prepared for you.

Are you at the junction point of two mighty rivers having closed the loop on your exploration? Take a moment and analyze what you’ve seen and what the next faith-filled step might be.

After all, like William Clark, you’ve made it this far when most thought you’d die. Take courage in the exploits of the past and set your heart on entering into His promise for you.

Proceed on.