Fort Clatsop Summary and Analysis

The team starts building the huts and the fortification in Fort Clatsop, named after the neighboring tribe of the same name. The fort is almost complete by Christmas; the men spend the day dancing and exchanging gifts. Many natives are present and participate in the festivities. However, the available food is poor and partly spoiled; they eat dinner out of necessity more than pleasure.

In the following days, hunters are dispatched to hunt while the others prepare the salt and work on constructing the walls of the fortification. On the 28th, Clark reports York has a violent cold, accentuated by exhaustion from working too much with the men. The fortifications are completed on the 30th. As usual, the natives are ordered to go out of the camp at sunset and are only allowed to come back when the gates...