December 7, 1803. Clark's Journal: Clark and party arrive at the landing at Cahokia, Indiana Territory (Moulton, 2: 127-28).
December 12, 1803. Clark's Journal: Clark and party land in Indiana Territory across from the mouth of the Missouri River. On the south bank of the Wood River, Clark establishes the winter camp for the expedition, called Camp Dubois (Moulton, 2: 131-32). See map this page.
March 10, 1804. At St. Louis, France transferred Upper Louis-iana to the U.S. Captains Lewis and Clark likely attended the event (Moulton, 2: 174).
March 26, 1804. Secretary of War Henry Dearborn writes to Lewis to inform him that Clark's military appointment can be no higher than lieutenant but his compensation will be the same as Lewis' (Jackson, 1: 172-73).
May 6, 1804. (St. Louis). Lewis sends Clark his commission as lieutenant and suggests that they let no one know that Clark is not a captain, the rank held by Lewis (Jackson, 1: 179-80).
May 14, 1804. Clark's Journal: Clark and the party of 38 men set off from Camp Dubois, Indiana Territory up the Missouri River (Moulton, 2: 227).
May 14, 1804. Clark Journal"Set out from Camp River a Dubois at 4 oClock P. M. and proceded up the Missouris under Sail to the first Island in the Missouri and Camped on the upper point opposit a Creek on the South Side below a ledge of limestone rock Called Colewater, made 41/2 miles, the Party Consisted of 2, Self one frenchman and 22 Men in the Boat of 20 ores, 1 Serjt. & 7 french in a large Perogue, a Corp and 6 Soldiers in a large Perogue. a Cloudy rainey day. wind from the N E. men in high Spirits" (Moulton, 2: 227).
May 21, 1804. Clark writes to his brother-in-law in Kentucky that Lewis has finally joined the party at St. Charles after being detained in St. Louis with arrangements to send Osage chiefs to Washington. They continue up the Missouri im-mediately, heading for winter camp at Fort Mandan (Jackson, 1: 195-96). See June 3, 1804 letter this page.
June 3, 1804. Amos Stoddard to Henry Dearborn"Captain Lewis, with his party, began to ascend the Missouri from the village of St. Charles on the 21 Ultimo. . . . [He] began his expedition with a Barge of 18 oars, attended by two large perogues; all of which were deeply laden, and well manned. I have heard from him about 60 miles on his route, and it appears, that he proceeds about 15 miles per day--a celerity seldom witnessed on the Missouri; and this is the more extraordinary as the time required to ascertain the courses of the river and to make other necessary observations, must considerably retard his progress. His men possess great resolution and they [are in the best] health and spirits" (Jackson, 1: 196). Note: Stoddard was civil and military commandant of Upper Louisiana. He assisted with preparations for the expedition; several of his men went on the expedition (Moulton, 2: 145n).