At winter camp on the River Dubois, Clark moves the enlisted men out of their cabins and into tents—their shelters for the upcoming voyage. Lewis continues working in St. Louis.
Tag: Nathan Rumsey
May 7, 1804
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 3, 1804
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.
April 19, 1804
At Camp River Dubois across from St. Louis, the soldiers practice shooting at a mark. Clark settles the expedition’s account with Major Nathan Rumsey, Army Commissary.
April 18, 1804
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 13, 1804
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 12, 1804
On this or the next day, Clark and the Army Commissary leave St. Louis with provisions for the men at winter camp. Also near this date, Clark summarizes the discipline problems encountered thus far.
March 31, 1804
At winter camp on the Wood River across from the mouth of the Missouri, Major Nathan Rumsey, U.S. Army commissary, arrives to help provision the expedition. Clark sends two men to rescue a horse in distress.
January 16, 1804
At Wood River, Pvt. Reubin Field wins some red leggings in a shooting contest. In Washington City, President Jefferson congratulates Congress on the successful transfer of Louisiana to the United States.
January 15, 1804
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.
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).