February 26, 1804
Orders for making sugar
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL As per Lewis’s detachment orders, four men are to make sugar from maple trees in the surrounding woods.
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February 25, 1804
Inspecting St. Louis
Wood River Camp, IL Clark explains his long and recent illness, the celebrations surrounding the transfer of Louisiana, and the inspection of the fortifications surrounding St. Louis.
February 24, 1804
"a great Dinner & porrade"
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL In St. Louis, Amos Stoddard 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 21, 1804
St. Louis affairs
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Lewis and Clark are in St. Louis working on the transfer of Louisiana to the United States and also organizing an Osage Indian delegation. At winter camp at Wood River, Sgt. Ordway is in charge.
February 20, 1804
Lewis joins Clark in St. Louis
Wood River Camp, IL Lewis likely follows through on his promise of two days ago and travels to St. Louis to help Pierre Chouteau organize a delegation of Osage Chiefs bound for Washington City.
February 19, 1804
New Spanish orders
Wood River Camp, IL On or near this date, the Spanish Lieutenant Governor Dehault Delassus receives orders to transfer the Upper Louisiana Territory to Captain Amos Stoddard.
February 18, 1804
Forming an Osage delegation
Wood River Camp, IL Clark and Lewis work with St. Louis fur trader Pierre Chouteau to send a delegation of Osage Indians to Washington City. Lewis encourages Chouteau to take the group himself.
February 17, 1804
Manuel Lisa's engagés
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL In St. Louis, Clark is negotiating with trader Manuel Lisa to hire some of his French engagés. At winter camp at Wood River, Lewis records weather data.
February 16, 1804
Pondering Indian religion
Wood River Camp, IL The temperature hovers near the freezing mark with clouds and rain. Little else is recorded on this day, but no doubt the captains continue to prepare for the voyage up the Missouri River.
February 15, 1804
Trumpeter swans
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
The thermometer reaches 32° F., and large flocks of trumpeter swan are seen in the marshes around winter camp at Wood River.
February 14, 1804
Lewis misses the ball
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
The blue herons appear
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL The blue heron makes its first appearance of the season, and the sugar maple sap continues to rise.
February 12, 1804
Ducks and geese return
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL The captains note that various migratory birds have returned to the Wood River area. Physicians from the United States want them to find out how the Indians treat diseases.
February 11, 1804
The sugar maples run
Wood River Camp, IL As the day warms, the sap in the sugar maple trees begins to run. On or near this date, the captains prepare the many questions about Indians they have been asked to answer.
February 10, 1804
Questions for Indians
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL 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
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 7, 1804
Rising 'River a Dubois'
At winter camp 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 5, 1804
Camp Dubois comings and goings
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 3, 1804
Sunny day, melting snow
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.
January 31, 1804
A trip up the river
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.
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Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
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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).