People / Amos Stoddard

Amos Stoddard

Captain Amos Stoddard commanded an artillery company (approximately forty men) at Fort Kaskaskia in 1803. He and part of his company represented the United States in St. Louis in March 1804 when Spain transferred Upper Louisiana including St. Louis to France, which in turn transferred it to the United States a day later. He would then serve as the commandant of the Upper Louisiana Territory. Stoddard died in May 1813 from wounds received at the Battle of Fort Meigs in Ohio during the War of 1812.[1]Mark J. Wagner in Fort Kaskaskia citing Robert A. Stoddard, ed., The Autobiography Manuscript of Major Amos Stoddard (San Diego: Robert Stoddard Publishing, 2016), 48–51.

 

Selected Pages

    January 19, 1803

    Laying the foundation

    From Fort Fayette, Capt. Stoddard writes a letter to Col. Burbeck asking for further orders. Those orders would be to establish a fort on the Mississippi to support Jefferson’s western expeditions.

    February 19, 1803

    Stoddard's orders

    Captain Amos Stoddard is ordered to proceed to Kaskaskia as part of a military buildup along the Mississippi. President Jefferson has little hope of giving Thomas Rodney a federal appointment.

    September 4, 1803

    Leaky boats

    As they leave Pennsylvania along the Ohio River, the pirogue springs a serious leak, so they must stop to repair it. Lewis buys a canoe, but it too leaks. Camp is near Newell in present West Virginia.

    November 29, 1803

    Spanish obstruction

    On or after this date at Fort Kaskaskia, the captains learn that the Spanish Governor of Upper Louisiana intends to block the expedition. They select more soldiers and make decisions about their next steps.

    Fort Kaskaskia

    Preliminary outpost

    Archaeological investigations by the author and his students reveal the location of the American Fort Kaskaskia. Extracts from “Bound to the Western Waters: Searching for Lewis and Clark at Fort Kaskaskia, Illinois” by the lead archaeologist.

    December 1, 1803

    Kaskaskia recruits

    While at Fort Kaskaskia, Illinois, William Clark and Meriwether Lewis select at least 13 new recruits. Lewis also writes a receipt to Cpt. Amos Stoddard for 75 pounds of gunpowder and a cask.

    January 2, 1804

    Lewis's 'business of importance'

    At Wood River, Clark receives news from Lewis that Captain Amos Stoddard will be the United States agent to receive the Upper Louisiana Territory when it is transferred from France.

    January 15, 1804

    Intoxicated helpers

    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.

    February 19, 1804

    Transfer orders

    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 24, 1804

    "a great Dinner & porrade"

    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.

    March 1, 1804

    Orders for Sgt. Floyd

    Wood River Camp, IL The day begins with sub-zero temperatures, and trouble brews when some of the enlisted men disobey Sgt. Ordway’s orders. In Washington City, Henry Dearborn orders Major Bruff to replace Amos Stoddard as military commander of Upper Louisiana.

    March 8, 1804

    Announcing Louisiana's transfer

    Wood River Camp, IL Lewis is in Cahokia with Captain Amos Stoddard and his honor guard who are traveling to St. Louis to formally receive the Upper Louisiana Territory. Clark is likely already there.

    March 9, 1804

    Lowering the Spanish, raising the French

    Wood River Camp, IL Lewis serves as a witness to the delivery and receipt of the Upper Louisiana from Spain to France. With speeches and ceremony, the Spanish flag is lowered, and the French flag is raised.

    March 10, 1804

    Lowering the French, raising the American

    Winter Camp at Wood River, IL U.S. Army Captain Amos Stoddard, acting as the representative of France, declares Upper Louisiana as belonging to the United States. The French flag, flying for only one day, is lowered and the American flag raised.

    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 8, 1804

    Stoddard's expenses mount

    Clark and Lewis attend a ball in St. Louis that continues all night. The host hopes the U.S. Government will pay back the $622 the party cost him. At camp, Sgt. Ordway writes a letter to his parents.

    May 16, 1804

    St. Charles arrival

    The boats set out early, pass the coal beds of Charbonier Bluff, and reach St. Charles, an early French settlement on the Missouri River. Many citizens come out to see the event and socialization commences.

    May 20, 1804

    Sunday in St. Charles

    Lewis and a delegation of distinguished citizens leave St. Louis. During a thunderstorm, they shelter in a little cabin. Already in St. Charles, many of the enlisted men attend Catholic mass.

    June 3, 1804

    Mosquitoes and ticks

    At the mouth of the Osage, mosquitoes and deer ticks vex Clark, and Lewis collects a specimen of ground plum. Late in the day, the boats move up to the mouth of the Moreau east of present Jefferson City.

    June 12, 1804

    Old Dorion signs on

    Near present Dalton, Missouri, the expedition meets a contingent of boats led by fur trader Pierre Dorion, Sr. He agrees to join as an interpreter, and one expedition member is sent back to St. Louis.

    October 29, 1804

    Mandan and Hidatsa council

    Opposite the Knife River, Mandan and Hidatsa chiefs come from each village to council with the captains. A long speech is given, and the captains ask them to smoke the pipe of peace with an Arikara chief.

    March 24, 1805

    Bird cages

    At Fort Mandan, cages are made for the live birds that will soon be sent to Washington City. In St. Louis, Capt. Amos Stoddard updates President Thomas Jefferson regarding Lewis’s delegation of Iowas.

    October 21, 1805

    Columbia River rapids

    Moving down the Columbia above present John Day Dam, the paddlers navigate several rapids while the non-swimmers walk around them. Pvt. Collins shares his camas-brewed beer, and Mt. Hood is in view.

    October 22, 1805

    Falls of the Columbia

    The expedition arrives at the Falls of the Columbia. With the help of some Wishram villagers, they portage their baggage along the northern shore. Others scout the channel that the canoes will navigate.

Notes

Notes
1 Mark J. Wagner in Fort Kaskaskia citing Robert A. Stoddard, ed., The Autobiography Manuscript of Major Amos Stoddard (San Diego: Robert Stoddard Publishing, 2016), 48–51.

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  • 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.