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 Did you Know?

On December 20, 1803,
in the Sala Capitular - New Orleans, ,
two commissioners signed the transfer document , giving lower Louisiana
officially to the United States ...
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Christmas at Camp DuBois 1803

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.

December 13 - 14, 2008: "Arrival at Camp River Dubois" at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, IL. 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.