Moses Reed deserted the Corps on August 3, 1804, after providing the excuse that he needed to return to the previous camp to retrieve his forgotton knife. Clark remarks in his journal dated August 6: "We have every reason to belive that one man has Deserted Moses B Reed he has been absent three days."
The following day Clark sent George Drouillard, Reubin Fields, William Bratton, and Francois Labiche to locate Reed and if he did not give up peacefully to "put him to death."
Reed was at last returned to camp (near today's Salix, Iowa) after a 12-day pursuit. At his trial "in the after Part of the Day, . . . he Confessed that he "Deserted & Stold a public Rifle Shot-pouch Powder Bals and requested we would be as favourable with him as we Could consistantly with our Oathes—which we were and only Sentenced him to run the Gantlet four times through the Party & that each man with 9 Swichies Should punish him and for him not to be considered in future as one of the Party." Although desertion could have carried a sentence of death, Reed was shown leniency.
Two lines of men were formed, facing the convicted Reed. Reed ran between the lines barebacked, 4 times, receiving a whipping of the switches with each pass.
An Arikara Indian chief witnessed this punishment and cried out. After hearing of the crime from Clark, he agreed, adding that "examples need to be made and he himself had made them by death."
The following Spring, Reed was sent back to St. Louis by keelboat.