Lewis & Clark Expedition Launch: Camp Wood, May 14, 1804

The Corps of Discovery officially departed on May 14, 1804 from Camp Wood (also called Camp Dubois or River Dubois), located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, just north of the Missouri River confluence, near present-day Hartford, Illinois—directly across from St. Louis, Missouri.

Context

• Winter 1803–04: The party (≈45 souls) wintered here, training, acquiring supplies, finalizing boats (keelboat + 2 pirogues).
• May 14, 1804, 4:00 PM: Clark notes: "I set out... under a gentle breeze... proceeded on." Lewis joined days later from St. Louis.
• Why Camp Wood? Spanish St. Louis (Upper Louisiana) was not yet formally transferred to US (ceremony March 1804). US territory began at the Mississippi's east bank. Camp Wood was sovereign US soil.

Visit Today

• Lewis & Clark State Historic Site (IL): Reconstructed Camp Wood, visitor center, keelboat replica. 1 Lewis & Clark Trail, Hartford, IL 62048.
• Gateway Arch National Park (MO): Museum of Westward Expansion — excellent expedition exhibits.
• Confluence Tower (Hartford, IL): 150-ft view of Mississippi-Missouri junction.

The Journey Ahead

4,900 miles. 2 years, 4 months. Pacific Ocean (Nov 1805). Return Sep 1806. Only one death (Sgt. Floyd, appendicitis). Mapped the West, documented 300+ species, established US claim, forged Native relations (and conflicts).