Phase 1: Planning & Preparation (1801-1804) Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/expedition-phase/phase-1-planning-preparation-1801-1804/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Camp Dubois: May 3, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-3-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-3-1804/ Lewis attended to last-minute business in St. Louis while Clark continued organizing the camp for departure. The men were eager to begin after months of winter preparation.

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]]> Lewis attended to last-minute business in St. Louis while Clark continued organizing the camp for departure. The men were eager to begin after months of winter preparation.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 4, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-4-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-4-1804/ Clark conducted final inspections of equipment and supplies. The expedition would carry enough provisions for months, plus trade goods, weapons, ammunition, and scientific instruments.

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]]> Clark conducted final inspections of equipment and supplies. The expedition would carry enough provisions for months, plus trade goods, weapons, ammunition, and scientific instruments.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 5, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-5-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-5-1804/ Lewis sent final dispatches to President Jefferson from St. Louis, reporting on the expedition’s readiness and the intelligence gathered about the Missouri River route.

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]]> Lewis sent final dispatches to President Jefferson from St. Louis, reporting on the expedition’s readiness and the intelligence gathered about the Missouri River route.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 6, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-6-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-6-1804/ The Corps made final preparations. Clark assigned men to specific boats and duties. The permanent party, temporary engagés, and soldiers returning from the Mandan villages were organized into functional squads.

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]]> The Corps made final preparations. Clark assigned men to specific boats and duties. The permanent party, temporary engagés, and soldiers returning from the Mandan villages were organized into functional squads.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 7, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-7-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-7-1804/ Excitement grew at Camp Dubois as departure approached. The men cleaned and inspected their weapons, checked their personal gear, and wrote letters home that might be their last for years.

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]]> Excitement grew at Camp Dubois as departure approached. The men cleaned and inspected their weapons, checked their personal gear, and wrote letters home that might be their last for years.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 8, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-8-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-8-1804/ Lewis returned from St. Louis to Camp Dubois for the final days before departure. He and Clark reviewed their plans and instructions one final time.

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]]> Lewis returned from St. Louis to Camp Dubois for the final days before departure. He and Clark reviewed their plans and instructions one final time.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 9, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-9-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-9-1804/ The boats were fully loaded and ready. Lewis and Clark held a final review of the men, their equipment, and their provisions. Everything was as prepared as it could be.

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]]> The boats were fully loaded and ready. Lewis and Clark held a final review of the men, their equipment, and their provisions. Everything was as prepared as it could be.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 10, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-10-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-10-1804/ Last days at Camp Dubois. The men made final personal preparations for the great journey ahead. Some wrote letters; others simply waited with growing anticipation.

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]]> Last days at Camp Dubois. The men made final personal preparations for the great journey ahead. Some wrote letters; others simply waited with growing anticipation.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 11, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-11-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-11-1804/ Camp Dubois was nearly struck as departure day neared. The months of training, planning, and preparation were about to be tested on the Missouri River.

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]]> Camp Dubois was nearly struck as departure day neared. The months of training, planning, and preparation were about to be tested on the Missouri River.

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]]> Camp Dubois: May 12, 1804 https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-12-1804/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:47:08 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/journal/camp-dubois-may-12-1804/ The penultimate day at Camp Dubois. Tomorrow the boats would push off into the Missouri River current, beginning one of the greatest journeys of exploration in American history.

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]]> The penultimate day at Camp Dubois. Tomorrow the boats would push off into the Missouri River current, beginning one of the greatest journeys of exploration in American history.

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