Lewis and Clark move into their winter quarters about 14 miles west of present-day Washburn on this date in 1804.

Captain Clark wrote, “We this day moved into our huts which are now completed. This place which we call Fort Mandan, is situated in a point of low ground, on the north side of the Missouri, covered with tall and heavy cottonwood...

“Several Indians came down to eat fresh meat, three Chiefs from the 2d. Mandan Village Stay all day. They are verry Curious in examining our works. Those Chiefs informs us that the Souix settled on the Missourie above Dog River, threten to attacked them this winter, and have treated 2 Ricares who Carried the pipe of peace to them Verry roughly. whiped & took their horses from them &c. is much displeased with Ricares for makeing a peace with the Mandans through us, we gave them a Sattisfactory answer.”

Sources:
http://www.mtstandard.com/lewisandclark/journal.php?calendarMonth=November&day=20&calendarYear=1804
http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section2/ndcities/BismarckMandan/fortmandan.htm
http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section2/ndcities/BismarckMandan/history6.htm

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