From Cahokia, Clark takes the boats across the Mississippi and arrives in St. Louis under full sails and colors. Many people come to the landing to greet them.
Military Detail in the Red Pirogue
Photo provided by Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, Illinois. Used by permission.
The two pirogues—most likely dugout from a single tree—were often used to transport cargo and smaller groups like the one shown above.
Clark’s St. Louis Arrival
Opposite Mouth of Missourie
December 16th 1803Dear Brother
[A]fter takeing the Latidude of Kohokia L. 38° 18′ 56″ we proceeded on under Sales & Cullers [sails and colors] to St. Louis, and passed to a landing opposite the center of the Town the admiration of the people were So great, that hundreds Came to the bank to view us. I found Several of my old acquaintuncs from Vincennes & Kaskasskees—
Brother
Wm Clark[1]William Clark to Jonathan Clark, James J. Holmberg, ed. Dear Brother: Letters of William Clark to Jonathan Clark (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002), 61.
Governor Delassus’s Advice
Opposite Mouth of Missourie
December 16th 1803Dear Brother
the Govr. persisted in his Objection to our proceeding more by advice than other wise. Stateing many dificuelties & ceding more by advice than other wise.
Brother
Wm Clark[2]Ibid.
Lewis Gathers Intelligence
Opposite Mouth of Missourie
December 16th 1803Dear Brother
Capt Lewis detain for to acquire information of the Countrey and to prepare Despatchs to the Government by the next mail.
Brother
Wm Clark[3]Ibid.
Notes
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
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.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).