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Departure Day

River with two forks — Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region

On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery, minus their leader, began the 28-month trek across the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.

Here is John Ordway’s journal entry: “Showery day. Capt Clark Set out at 3 oClock P. M. for the western expedition. one Gun fired. a nomber of Citizens see us Start. the party consisted of 3 Sergeants & 38 Good hands, which maned the Batteaux and two pearogues. we Sailed up the Missouri 6 miles & encamped on the N. Side of the River.”

It’s a little strange, however, that Captain Clark’s journal states they departed at “4 oClock P.M.”

Where was Captain Lewis? He was still taking care of business in St. Louis, including coordinating the final arrangements for Pierre Chouteau and the Osage Indian leaders’ trip to Washington. Lewis wouldn’t leave St. Louis on horseback until May 20, arriving in St. Charles to meet his men around 6:30 p.m. The Corps would shove off from St. Charles at 6:00 a.m. two days later, on May 22.

Source: The Journals of Lewis and Clark

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Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.