Their trip was long and difficult, and the group suffered many hardships. Some deserted, and some even died. But they travelled on, until, on July 22, 1804, they came to White Catfish Camp (Long's Landing). While camped here, two men from the group, George Drouillard and Private Pierre Gruzatte (both born to Native American mothers), went in search of the Oto tribe. Finding the oto village empty, Drouillard and Cruzatte reported back to camp. Soon after, the exploration party moved up river to where Fort Atkinson http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/ftatki... would be built years later. Clark named it "the Council Bluff."
On July 28, the explorers met a Missouri Native who told them he had been on a bison hunt with the Oto and would relay a message to inform the Oto of the council Lewis and Clark requested. On August 2, a small group of Oto and Missouri showed up at the campsite to speak of peace. August 3, a great ceremony was held, with soldiers in full dress uniform demonstrating their skills of weaponry, which would become a routine in later "councils." At one point in the ceremony, Clark arose and gave a powerful speach, saying the Oto and Missouri were now "'children' of a new 'great father' who would provide them with trade and protection." http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/native/... This speach would sway many other Native American tribes.
On August 18, the chief representing the Oto, Little Thief, and the chief representing the Missouri, Big Horse, signed a peace treaty. Little Thief asked Lewis and Clark to intervein with the Omaha on the behalf of the Oto.
In March of 1805, Little Thief and a delegation which included one Missouri Chief, went to Washington D.C. and met with President Jefferson, who told them he hoped for peace between them.
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