Men of the Expedition:

The Role of Cantonment Wilkinson

A cantonment is a large military post without walls or palisade. Cantonment Wilkinson-Ville was established in 1801 adjacent to the Grant Chain of Rocks on the Ohio River (present day Grand Chain, Illinois) by General James Wilkinson. This post replaced Fort Massac for approximately a year. It is estimated that between 1,100 to 1,400 troops representing 11 companies of infantry, a detachment of artillerists and engineers, a full military band and related civilians were stationed there. The post served as the “port of entry” for boats traveling on the Ohio River. The cantonment is also interesting to historians because of the intriguing connections between James Wilkinson and Aaron Burr.

When Wilkinson Ville was closed in 1802, men were dispersed, some back to Fort Massac, some to Tennessee, and some to Kaskaskia, Illinois, but many remained in the area. At least five men recruited by Lewis and Clark in the winter of 1803 and spring of 1804 were part of the contingency formerly stationed at Wilkinson Ville.

Five of the men were former members of Captain Ross Bird’s Company, the 1^st

U.S. Infantry:

Sergeant Patrick Glass (1771 – 1870)

Gass’ civilian skills included carpentry. As a member of the expedition, Gass helped to build the structures at Camp Dubois during the winter of 1803. Gass was elected by the rest of the men to assume the position of sergeant. Part of his responsibilities included keeping a daily journal which is full of detailed observations and particularly illuminating different kinds of woods, construction methods for earth lodges, forts and canoes. As a craftsman himself, he recognized other’s skill when he saw it, noting, “The natives of this country ought to have the credit of making the finest canoes, perhaps in the world, both as to service and beauty; and are no less expert in working them when made.” He published his journal in 1807, the first book to tell about the expedition.

Thomas Procter Howard (1779 - ?), Private

In a list of names of members of the party, Clark wrote next to Howard’s name, “never Drinks water.” Lewis had him court-martialed at Fort Mandan for scaling the fort’s walls and, according to Sergeant Ordway for “setting such a pernicious example.” He was sentenced to 50 lashes and laid to the mercy of his commanding officer. No further disciplinary actions are recorded. Howard served for several years at Fort Adams after the expedition and later married Genevieve Roy in St. Louis. Their son Joseph worked in the fur trade with Ashley in 1827.

Hugh McNeal (died before 1825), Private

Clark lists him as from Kentucky and on army muster rolls as of September 1811. McNeal is mentioned in the journals for his hunting skills, and especially for an encounter with a Grizzly Bear on the return journey. Lewis immortalized McNeal’s words upon reaching the source of the Missouri River on August 12, 1805, “two miles below McNeal had exultingly stood with a foot on each side of this little riverlet and thanked his god that he had lived to bestride the mighty and heretofore deemed endless Missouri.”

Richard Windsor (dates unknown), Private

A private, Windsor was probably from the Company of Captain Russell Bissell.

His service in the expedition included a terrifying experience he shared with Captain Lewis on June 7, 1805, while he slogged through “gumbo” on the shores of the Missouri River. First, Lewis slipped and nearly fell 90 feet into the river below; Lewis had barely reached safety when her turned to see that Windsor had fallen into “the center of this narrow pass and was lying prostrate on his belly, with his one right arm and leg over the precipice . . . .happily, he escaped.” He was one of the corps most reliable hunters.

Jack Robinson (or Robertson) (1780 – 18 ??), Private

He was dismissed from the corps on June 12, 1804, and previously had been cited for disorderly conduct while at Camp Dubois.

Preliminary List of Lewis and Clark Expedition Members (Soldiers)

Who Potentially May have been at Cantonment Wilkinso

By Mark J. Wagner
Center for Archaeological Investigations
SIUC Summer, 2002

Note: Eight companies of the 2^nd Infantry were stationed at Cantonment Wilkinson in 1801. Also four companies of the 1^st Infantry, apparently including that of Captain Russell Bissell. Also note that many 2^nd Infantry soldiers, including Captain Russell Bissell, transferred to the 1^st Infantry in March 1802 following the reduction in size of the army. So an 1804 1^st Infantry soldier very well may have been part of the 2^nd Infantry in 1801.

Sergeant Patrick Gass – 1st Infantry (1804). He served in Captain Russell Bissell’s company from at least 1801 to 1804. Russell Bissell was a 2^nd Infantry officer until March, 1802, meaning Gass also may have been part of the 2^nd Infantry during this time. In his biography, Gass States that he went down the Ohio River to the cantonment in late 1800 or early 1801 where he helped build huts for the winter. During the summer of 1801 80 or more of the troops occupying Cantonment Wilkinson reportedly died of malarial fevers including the post commander, Col. David Strong (LINK TO STRONG MEMORIAL STONE). In June 1801, orders “were issued that the troops at Wilkinson Cantonment be removed to the Tennessee uplands” for their health. Lewis and Clark historian Elliot Coues (1892:ci) noted that in 1801 Gass “went with a company up the Tennessee River under Captain Bissell”

Sgt. John Ordway – 1^st Infantry (1804). Recruited at Kaskaskia from Capt. Russell Bissell’s company.

Private John Collins – Possibly joined the expedition from Capt. Russell Bissell’s company.

Private John Dame – Artillery (1801). Joined the army in 1801. Assigned to the expedition from Captain Amos Stoddard’s artillery company. Four companies of artillery were present at Cantonment Wilkinson. Depending on when and where he enlisted in 1801, he may have been at the cantonment. Stoddard, however, was not stationed at the cantonment so if Dame was part of his company from the time he enlisted, he also would not have been at the cantonment.

Private Thomas Howard – 2^nd Infantry (1804). Joined the army in 1801. He was recruited fro the expedition from Capt. John Campbell’s 2^nd Infantry company. He was in this company at Ft. Southwest Point, Tennessee, by 1803. Depending on when and where he enlisted in 1801, he may have been at the cantonment.

Private John Newman – 1^st Infantry (1804). Recruited at Kaskaskia from Capt. Russell Bissell’s company. Depending on when he joined the army, he may have been at Cantonment Wilkinson.