80 Expedition to the 



continued on the left side, and make their appearance on the 

 right, extending along eight or nine miles; above this both 

 shores are low bottom grounds. 



Having received on board Mr. Say and his companions, 

 we left Loutre island on the 3d of July, and passing in suc- 

 cession the mouths of the Gasconade, Bear Creek, the Au 

 Vase and other tributaries, we anchored on the evening of 

 the 5th, above the little village of Cote Sans Dessein. This 

 place contains about thirty families mostly French, occupy- 

 ing as many small log cabins, scattered remotely along the 

 left bank of the river. Nearly opposite the village is the 

 lower mouth of the Osage. Just above the town is the ele- 

 vated insular hill, which has given name to the place ; it ex- 

 tends about eight hundred yards, parallel to the bank of the 

 river, and terminates at a small stream called Revoe's creek. 

 Back of the hill is a marsh, discharging a small stream of 

 water into the creek. The site of the settlement of Cote 

 Sans Dessein is remarkable on account of the fertility of 

 the soil, the black mould extending to the depth of about 

 four feet. The soil is very rich for twenty or thirty miles, 

 in the rear of the village, but the uncertainty of the titles, 

 arising from the conflicting claims, founded on the basis of 

 pre-emption, New Madrid grants, and the concession of a 

 large tract opposite the mouth of the Osage, made by the 

 Spanish authorities in favor of Mr. Choteau, still operates to 

 retard the increase of population. 



At the time of the late war, the inhabitants of this settle- 

 ment relying on mutual protection, did not retire, but erect- 

 ed two stockades, and block houses for their defence ; the 

 Sauks, assisted by some Foxes and Ioways, having by a 

 feigned attack and retreat, induced the greater part of the 

 men to pursue them, gained their rear by means of an am- 

 buscade, and entering the village, raised their war cry at the 

 doors of the cabins. The women and children fled in con- 

 sternation to the block-houses. At this juncture, a young 



