Kristopher Townsend
From the Pacific Northwest Living Historians at Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Fort Clatsop.
Since 2016, Kristopher K. Townsend has been the webmaster and editor of this site, Discovering Lewis & Clark®. He has been actively photo-documenting the Lewis and Clark Trail since 1995. He attempts as closely as possible to re-create scenes as described in the journals including the same time of year, natural state, location, and weather. He has contributed numerous photos throughout the Discovering Lewis & Clark website.
Kris taught several years as a tenured instructor at Spokane Falls Community College. His courses included Internet programming and other information technology and computer science courses. During that time, he was also the series editor and an author of a popular college textbook series on Office Technology.
Shortly after the advent of the World Wide Web, he managed a web server featuring digital photos, digital video, and articles created by his Glenwood Heights Primary students. Topics included historical sites of Clark County (Washington State), wildflowers and birds of Clark County, and how-to videos for school’s physical education program.
Contributions to this Site
March 3, 1804
Refusing guard duty
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Lewis is ‘mortified’ by Pvt. Reubin Field’s refusal to perform guard duty and implores everyone at the Wood River winter camp to follow Sgt. Ordway’s orders while the captains are in St. Louis.
March 2, 1804
The local whiskey shop
by Kristopher K. Townsend
While the captains have been in St. Louis, some of the enlisted men at Wood River, Illinois have been using the cover story of hunting trips and other errands to visit a local “whiskey shop”.
March 1, 1804
Quarters and stores
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, Illinois, the day begins with sub-zero temperatures. While they are in St. Louis, the captains leave specific orders for Sgt. Floyd regarding quarters and stores.
February 29, 1804
Skeptical federalists
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The captains are in St. Louis and the enlisted men are at Wood River, Illinois under the charge of Sgt. Ordway. By now, Lewis likely has received President Jefferson’s letter mentioning the popularity of the expedition and the skepticism of the Federalists.
February 28, 1804
Indian information
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, the day is snowy and the journalists record little else. The captains are likely in St. Louis preparing for the transfer of Upper Louisiana and an Osage delegation bound for Washington City.
February 27, 1804
Daily shooting contests
by Kristopher K. Townsend
While the captains attend to business in St. Louis, the enlisted men at Wood River, Illinois are ordered to conduct daily shooting contests. An extra gill of whiskey is the prize.
February 26, 1804
Making sugar
by Kristopher K. Townsend
While the captains are in St. Louis, across the Mississippi, four enlisted men are ordered to make maple sugar. In return, they are exempt from guard duty and receive an extra gill of whiskey each day.
February 25, 1804
Inspecting St. Louis
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In a letter to his brother, Clark explains his long and recent illness, the celebrations encompassing the transfer of Louisiana, and the inspection of the fortifications at St. Louis.
February 24, 1804
"a great Dinner & porrade"
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In St. Louis, Amos Stoddard, Lewis, Clark, and several citizens are told by Spanish Lt. Governor Dehault Delassus that he is ready to transfer Louisiana to the United States. A dinner and parade follow.
February 23, 1804
Orders for blacksmiths
by Kristopher K. Townsend
While the captains work in St. Louis, the blacksmiths have orders to continue making the various items assigned by Lewis. They are exempt from guard duty and receive an extra gill of whiskey each day.
February 22, 1804
Orders for sawyers
by Kristopher K. Townsend
While the captains are in St. Louis, the sawyers at winter camp across the Mississippi cut planks for Sgt. Pryor. In return, they are exempt from guard duty and receive double rations of whiskey.
February 21, 1804
Sgt. Ordway in charge
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In St. Louis, the captains work on the upcoming transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States and organize an Osage delegation to visit Washington City. At Wood River, Sgt. Ordway is in charge.
February 20, 1804
Working in St. Louis
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Based on his letter of 18 February, Lewis likely follows through on his promise to join Clark in St. Louis today. There, he helps Pierre Chouteau organize an Osage delegation bound for Washington City.
February 19, 1804
Transfer orders
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this date in St. Louis, the Spanish Lieutenant Governor Dehault Delassus receives orders to transfer the Upper Louisiana Territory to Captain Amos Stoddard.
February 18, 1804
An Osage delegation
by Kristopher K. Townsend
From Wood River, Lewis works with St. Louis fur trader Pierre Chouteau to send a delegation of Osage to Washington City. In a letter, Lewis encourages Chouteau to take the group himself.
February 17, 1804
Manuel Lisa's engagés
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In St. Louis, Clark negotiates with trader Manuel Lisa to hire some of his French engagés—mostly boatmen from St. Charles. Across the Mississippi at Wood River, Lewis records weather data.
February 16, 1804
Pondering Indian religion
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from Missouri, the temperature hovers near freezing with clouds and rain. President Jefferson has questions about the religious practices of the Native Nations they will encounter.
February 15, 1804
Trumpeter swans
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the Missouri, the thermometer reaches 32° F., and large flocks of trumpeter swan are seen. Near this date, the captains finalize their list of questions for Indians.
February 14, 1804
Lewis misses the ball
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Clark attends a ball, likely in St. Louis, but Lewis remains at winter camp on the River Dubois to complete work. Elsewhere, Madison and Monroe debate the location of Louisiana’s northern boundary.
February 13, 1804
Blue herons
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, blue herons appear, and the sugar maple sap continues to rise. Near this date, the captains finalize their list of questions for Indians.
February 12, 1804
Ducks and geese return
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Various migratory birds return to Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, and physicians from the United States have provided a list of questions addressing how Native People treat disease.
February 11, 1804
The sugar maples run
by Kristopher K. Townsend
As the day warms at Wood River, the sap in the sugar maples begins to run. Near this date, the captains prepare the many questions about Native Americans they are to answer on their upcoming voyage.
February 10, 1804
Questions for Indians
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, the day is cold and clear. On or near this date, the captains prepare the many questions for Indians that they should try to answer on their voyage.
February 9, 1804
Ice from the Missouri
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In Clark’s last field note until 21 March 1805, he says the morning is fine, and that ice from the Missouri River is passing by their winter camp on the Wood River.
February 8, 1804
Invitations to balls
by Kristopher K. Townsend
A large raft of ice passes by Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri. Clark receives mail from Cahokia including invitations to two balls in St. Louis.
February 7, 1804
Rising 'River a Dubois'
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, River Dubois—present Wood River in Illinois— fills with mud, and the rising water takes away an Indian’s canoe. Sgt. Ordway returns to camp.
February 6, 1804
Walnut bark pills
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At the Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, Lewis’s walnut bark pills find success when given to Clark. Pvt. Windsor kills a badger, swans fly north, and Pvt. Thompson returns from Cahokia.
February 5, 1804
Mrs. Cane and others
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Several people come to Camp River Dubois including Mrs. Cane the washer woman. Lewis asks Pvt. Shields to gather walnut tree bark to make medicine for Clark.
February 4, 1804
Moving the barge
by Kristopher K. Townsend
With waters raising around winter camp, the enlisted men are able to move the barge to a safer spot up the Wood River. Clark discharges Pvt. ‘Leakens’ for stealing.
February 3, 1804
Sunny day, melting snow
by Kristopher K. Townsend
The day is fair at River Dubois across from the mouth of the Missouri. The sun melts the snow, and Clark takes medicine hoping to cure his illness.
February 2, 1804
Hays and Hay depart
by Kristopher K. Townsend
William Clark and Meriwether Lewis accompany John Hay and John Hays part-way back to Cahokia before returning to winter camp at Wood River. Clark’s poor health continues.
February 1, 1804
Hay and Hays visit
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Trader and postmaster John Hay and trader and sheriff John Hays—both of Cahokia—visit winter camp at Wood River. Clark is “verry Sick”, and goods are put out to air in today’s dry breezes.
January 31, 1804
A trip up the river
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Clark and Lewis travel up the river—likely up the Mississippi—with locals John Hays and John Hay. On or near this date, Clark makes plans to add lockers and benches to the barge.
January 30, 1804
Lewis comes to camp
by Kristopher K. Townsend
After working in Cahokia and St. Louis for nearly two months, Lewis comes to winter camp on the Wood River. On or near this date, Clark draws and labels a side elevation of the barge.
January 29, 1804
Letters and wine
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, Clark receives a letter from Lewis who is working in Cahokia, Illinois, four letters from Kentucky, and eight bottles of wine. On or near this day, he formalizes plans for conducting courts martial.
January 28, 1804
Spanish obstacles removed
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In his field notes, Clark records the hourly events at winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri. Lewis has the advantage of more comfortable accommodations in Cahokia. Finally, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, Dehault Delassus, formally allows the expedition to proceed up the Missouri.
January 27, 1804
Boat crew plans
by Kristopher K. Townsend
From Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, Clark sends letters to Lewis who is working in Cahokia. On or near this date, he also plans various configurations for cargo and boat crews.
January 26, 1804
Making sleds
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, a sled is made to haul wood and other things from the country, and hunters bring in two deer and numerous rabbits and racoons. Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis.
January 25, 1804
Winter scenes
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, Clark is sick all night yet manages to enjoy the winter scenery. At Cahokia and St. Louis, Lewis works” on business of importance to the enterprise”.
January 24, 1804
A beautiful morning
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, the morning is clear and cold, and the trees are covered in ice. On or near this day, Clark estimates that the expedition will return to St. Louis before the end of 1805.
January 23, 1804
But little ice
by Kristopher K. Townsend
Near this date at Camp River Dubois, Clark estimates that the expedition will reach the Pacific Ocean by June or July 1805. The hunters bring in several rabbits and two deer and little ice runs in the river.
January 22, 1804
A snowy day
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this snowy day at winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri, Clark estimates they will cross the Rocky Mountains this coming November. Lewis continues working in Cahokia and St. Louis.
January 21, 1804
Clark's estimate
by Kristopher K. Townsend
On or near this snowy day at Wood River, Clark estimates the time it will take to complete the expedition. He plans to reach the Mandan Nation by 5 September 1804. Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis.
January 20, 1804
Small game
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River above St. Louis, thick sheets of ice float down the Mississippi. The hunters bring in small game, Clark takes a noon-time celestial observation, and Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis.
January 19, 1804
Deer, turkey, rabbits
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, the weather warms, and the hunters bring in deer, turkeys, and rabbits. Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis.
January 18, 1804
Cold and snow
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, sub-zero weather and clouds make for a snowy afternoon. Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis “on business of importance to the enterprise”.
January 17, 1804
River thick with ice
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, the thermometer drops below zero and the Missouri runs with ice. In Washington City, the Spanish Minister proposes that the Americans leave the west side of the Mississippi to the Indians.
January 16, 1804
Shooting for the red leggings
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River, Pvt. Reubin Field wins some red leggings in a shooting contest. In Washington City, President Jefferson congratulates Congress on the successful transfer of Louisiana to the United States.
January 15, 1804
Intoxicated helpers
by Kristopher K. Townsend
In a letter to his brother-in-law, Clark describes his situation at Rivière à Dubois—present Wood River. Several men and a wagon—all loaded with whiskey—appear at camp, and the weather is clear and cold.
January 14, 1804
Hunting rabbits
by Kristopher K. Townsend
At Wood River across from the Missouri River, the morning brings fresh snow and the Mississippi is iced over. Hunters bring in several rabbits while Lewis works in Cahokia and St. Louis.
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Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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