May 11, 1804
The boatmen arrive
At winter camp on the Wood River, Clark spends the day writing. Drouillard brings seven French men, likely St. Charles boatmen who take the red pirogue up the Missouri River.
Search Results for: st louis
May 7, 1804
Loading the barge
Pvts. Colter and Reed deliver a letter from Lewis in St. Louis informing Clark that his commission is for second lieutenant—not the captaincy originally promised. Clark has the barge loaded.
May 5, 1804
Sauk and Kickapoo visitors
In St. Louis, Lewis prepares for departure up the Missouri River. Across the Mississippi at Camp River Dubois, Clark receives Sauk and Kickapoo visitors.
May 3, 1804
Chouteau's Osage delegation
From St. Louis and Camp River Dubois, Lewis and Clark write letters of introduction for Pierre Chouteau who will soon take a delegation of Osage to Washington City. Trader Manuel Lisa visits Clark.
May 2, 1804
St. Louis preparations
In St. Louis, Lewis writes Clark regarding seven French engagés and the enlisted men’s pay. He sends flags, mosquito netting, and shirts to Clark who is managing the winter camp across the Mississippi.
April 26, 1804
A killing frost
At winter camp at the River Dubois, fur trader and Cahokia Postmaster John Hay arrives to help prepare the Indian gifts. He reports that frost has killed much of the fruit in the Cahokia area.
April 24, 1804
Missing pay
The captains work in St. Louis while at winter camp across the Mississippi, the military routine is managed by Sgt. Ordway. An undated note discusses the missing pay of Pvt. Whitehouse.
April 23, 1804
Missing hair pipes
The captains work in St. Louis while the men at Camp River Dubois follow Sgt. Ordway’s orders. In an undated note, Clark informs Lewis that he can’t find the hair pipes purchased as Indian gifts.
April 22, 1804
Our Missouria Indian
The captains are working in St. Louis with Pierre Chouteau‘s Osage delegation. An undated note says the captains have decided not to bring along a Missouria Indian that has been with them this past winter.
April 21, 1804
Chouteau's Osage delegation
Across the Mississippi, a cannon is heard and soon after 22 Osage Indians arrive escorted by trader Pierre Chouteau. The captains accompany the delegation to St. Louis leaving Sgt. Ordway in charge.
April 18, 1804
Sending for Capt. Lewis
Sgt. Charles Floyd and Pvt. George Shannon leave Camp River Dubois with two horses to meet Cpt. Meriwether Lewis who is crossing over from St. Louis by boat. By afternoon, Lewis arrives at camp.
April 15, 1804
Paying Mrs. Cane
At winter camp on the River Dubois, Clark pays Mrs. Cane for her services as washerwoman and seamstress. A boat heading up the Mississippi River passes by, and several men hunt or practice shooting.
April 14, 1804
Packing corn, pork, and salt
At winter quarters on the Wood River in Illinois, the day is spent packing provisions, and Pvt. Reed is sent to St. Louis. At Monticello, Jefferson writes instructions for a Southwest expedition.
April 13, 1804
Provisions arrive
Clark leaves St. Louis for Camp River Dubois. He crosses the Mississippi in a boat loaded with “Sundery articles” for the upcoming voyage. An extra ration of whiskey is given to the soldiers.
April 7, 1804
Capt. Stoddard's ball
Clark, Lewis, and York travel to St. Louis to attend a formal dinner and ball hosted by Captain Amos Stoddard, new Commandant of Upper Louisiana. Sgt. Ordway is left in charge at Camp River Dubois.
April 2, 1804
Northward-bound traders
At winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri, Clark says the men are “a cleaning to Day.” A boat bound for Prairie du Chien and owned by Mississippi River trader Nicholas Jarrot stops for the night.
March 28, 1804
Lewis comes to camp
Lewis travels from St. Louis to the camp at Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri where soldiers are busy making ready for their voyage up that river.
March 25, 1804
Bad mosquitoes
Men collect honey and complete various errands around winter camp at the River Dubois—present Wood River. Clark orders food for two dozen Sauk Indians and reports that the mosquitoes are bad.
February 8, 1804
Invitations to balls
A large raft of ice passes by winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri. Clark receives mail from Cahokia including invitations to two balls in St. Louis.
January 2, 1804
Lewis's 'business of importance'
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL Clark receives papers from Lewis who is in Cahokia “on business of importance to the enterprise.” He learns that Captain Amos Stoddard will be the United States agent to receive the Louisiana Territory.
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).