On December 12, 1803, the Corps, now over 40 men, landed at Wood
River and established Camp River Dubois. This would be their temporary
home until their departure on May 14, 1804. Most of the Corps spent
Christmas in Illinois. While Lewis continued to make preparations and
gather intelligence from his base in St. Louis, Clark remained with the
men in Camp River Dubois. The Corps made effective use of this time,
drilling, practicing marksmanship, and acquiring and stowing the
supplies they would need for the long Expedition. The Captains were
keen observers of men and during this period promoted some in rank and
weeded out others as troublemakers and laggards.
On December 20, 1803,
in the
Sala Capitular
- New Orleans two commissioners signed the transfer document, from
France to the United States, giving lower Louisiana officially to the
United States.
1804
While
wintering at Fort Mandan, the expedition
experienced the northern
lights, bitter cold temperatures, and meeting the most influential woman that
would accompany
the Corps of Discovery on their westward journey
- Sakakawea.
1805
On
December 8, 1805, the expedition members
began to build a fort. By Christmas Eve
they were under shelter. They named the
fort for the friendly local Indian
tribe, the Clatsops. The members of the
Lewis and Clark expedition remained at
Fort Clatsop until March 23, 1806.
Life at
the fort was far from pleasant. It
rained every day but 12 of the 106 days
at the Fort. Perhaps the most important
activity undertaken during their winter
was the reworking of the journals
by the leaders, and the preparation of
organized accounts of the scientific
data gathered during the journey.
Here
also, Clark prepared many of the maps
which were among the most significant
contributions of the expedition.
Events
December 1, 2013 - January 5, 2014:
"Winter Garden Aglow" at
Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Lewis & Clark
Native Plant Garden light display. Stroll the Lewis & Clark trail
to the hilltop for a spectacular view of the valley below.
Then pause to gaze upon the beautiful bronze statue of
Sacajawea. It will be a holiday experience to remember.
December 7, 2013
" Lewis & Clark
Christmas
1800's Style" in Hermann, Missouri.
Enjoy the Spirit of Christmas past as you step back 200 years to a time
when the frontier of our young nation was fresh, unknown & irresistible.
Festivities begin with --5pm Twilight Lantern Parade;
6:30 pm. Banquet. For tickets and more information contact Hermann Visitor Center at
800-932-8687.
December 14-15,
2013: Arrival at
Camp River Dubois.
Come
celebrate the arrival of Lewis and Clark to Camp River Dubois. This
annual special event commemorates December 12, the day William Clark
and the men of The Detachment arrived at the confluence of the Rivière á Dubois, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The event will
include members of The Detachment portraying military life,
re-enactors recreating the civilian population and demonstrators.
For more information call
618-251-5811.
Lewis and Clark Trail maps on this web site were
provided courtesy of the National Park Service
GPO 1991-557-779
Copyright 2011,
LewisAndClarkTrail.com - all rights reserved.
LewisAndClarkTrail.com and "Re-live the Adventure"
are trademarks.
Reproduction of any part of this web site, for any
use, is prohibited without prior approval of
LewisAndClarkTrail.com.
