Lewis comes to winter camp
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL 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.
Spanish obstacles removed
In his field notes, Clark records each hour at winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri. The Spanish governor of Louisiana formally allows the expedition to proceed up the Missouri River.
Winter scenes
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
Lewis continues working at Cahokia and St. Louis. Clark is sick all night yet manages to enjoy the day’s scenery around the Wood River.
A beautiful, cold morning
Wood River Camp, IL The morning is clear and cold, and the trees are covered in ice. On or near this day, Clark predicts the expedition will return to St. Louis before the end of 1805.
But little ice
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.
A snowy day
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.
Hunting grouse and rabbits
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
Thick sheets of ice from the north float past the winter quarters at Wood River. The hunters bring in small game, and Lewis conducts business in Cahokia and St. Louis.
Hunting deer, turkey, and rabbits
Wood River Camp, IL The weather warms and the hunters bring in deer, turkeys, and rabbits. Lewis continues working in Cahokia and St. Louis.
Cold and snow
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
Sub-zero weather and clouds make for a snowy afternoon. Lewis continues working in Cahokia and St. Louis.
River thick with ice
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL The temperature drops below zero, and Clark writes of nothing but the cold and thick river ice. In Washington City, Casa Yrujo proposes keeping American settlements east of the Mississippi River.
Shooting for the red leggings
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Winter camp is re-supplied, a shooting contest with the locals is won by Reubin Field, and Clark receives a letter and other news from Lewis. In an address to Congress, President Jefferson announces Louisiana appointments.
intoxicated helpers
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL In a letter to his brother-in-law, Clark describes his situation at Rivière à Dubois. Several men and a wagon, all loaded with whiskey, appear at camp.
Rabbit hunting
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL The morning brings fresh snow and the Mississippi River is iced over. The hunters bring in several rabbits. Lewis is working in either Cahokia or St. Louis.
A chimney fire in the night
Wood River Camp, IL During the night, Clark’s chimney catches fire. On the Mississippi, large sheets of ice collide. Clark measures the angle of the sun’s lower limb adding to a growing data set of celestial observations.
Lost soldiers
Wood River Camp, IL McNeal and Ordway fail to return to winter quarters at the Wood River. Lewis continues working between Cahokia and St. Louis.
Mackay's favorable survey
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
Clark comments on the maps and information obtained from trader James Mackay made on a recent surveying trip up the Missouri River. Lewis continues working in Cahokia and St. Louis.
Visiting Cahokia Mounds
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Clark visits ancient Indian mounds. On the way back, his wet feet freeze to his shoes. Lewis is working in either Cahokia or St. Louis.
Reubin Field takes a turn
Winter Camp, Wood River, Illinois
R. Field takes his first turn at hunting, and a local French man and his family come to see Clark about their missing hog. The men who took the hog are not at camp.
Boat trouble
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Ice flowing down the Missouri and Mississippi rivers continues to change water levels making it difficult to keep the large boat upright. Lewis continues working in Cahokia and St. Louis.
The washerwoman's hut
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Clark orders the soldiers who drank and fought two days ago to build a cabin for the new washer woman. During the previous night, the falling riverbank threatens to turn over the barge.
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
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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).