Camp Dubois facts for kids
Camp Dubois (which means Camp Wood in English) was a very important place in American history. It was a winter camp and the starting point for the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. This camp was located near what is now Wood River, Illinois.
The camp was set up on December 12, 1803. It was built where the Wood River meets the Mississippi River. Being on the east side of the Mississippi meant it was still in United States territory. This was important because the huge Louisiana Purchase land deal was still being finalized. The land officially transferred from Spain to France on March 9, 1804, and then from France to the United States the very next day. The Lewis and Clark Expedition even returned to Camp Dubois on September 23, 1806, after their long journey.
Why Was Camp Dubois Important?
In 1803, Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark met a French citizen named Nicholas Jarrot. He owned land along the Wood River and let them set up their camp there. William Clark led the building of Camp Dubois. He recruited men from places like Kaskaskia and Fort Massac to help build a frontier fort.
Captain Lewis joined the camp later. He spent time gathering important information about the western lands. He also worked to improve relations with Spanish officials in St. Louis. This helped make the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase smoother.
Life at the Camp
Camp Dubois was a busy military camp. The soldiers stationed there had many duties. They had to train, keep the camp clean, and follow other rules set by the U.S. military.
Daily life included inspections and guard duty. The soldiers also hunted to add to their food supplies. Sergeant John Ordway was in charge of the camp when both Lewis and Clark were away. This shows how organized and important the camp was.
The Journey Begins
On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition finally left Camp Dubois. Under William Clark's command, they sailed up the Missouri River. This marked the official start of their incredible journey to explore the new lands of the Louisiana Purchase.
Memorial
Today, you can visit the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. It is located in Hartford, Illinois, south of where the original camp stood. The rivers have changed course over time, so the exact spot of the camp is now hard to reach.
The Historic Site has a museum where you can learn more about the expedition. There is also a rebuilt version of Camp Dubois. This allows visitors to see what the camp might have looked like.
See also
In Spanish: Campamento Dubois para niños
