Camp River Dubois

Solstice Productions

48 minutes, DVD: $15.99

Reviewed by Bill Scurlock

Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1803–1804 on the Wood River, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Here the men built a log fort, gathered supplies and forged a team that would spend the next two years exploring the westernmost reaches of the Louisiana Purchase. Meriwether Lewis spent most of the winter in St. Louis, taking care of the business end of the expedition. William Clark stayed with the men at Camp River Dubois and had them construct a log fort, established on December 13, 1803.

Camp River Dubois, a new film from Soltice Productions, tells the basic story of the Corps of Discovery, but its focus is on the reconstruction of the log fort near present-day Hartford, Illinois. Steven Lalioff, a wonderful artist in many mediums but perhaps best-known for his leather fire buckets, leather trunks and shooting bags, was the modern-day builder/craftsman of the log fort. Steven has much experience with taking down and rebuilding old log structures. In fact, several years ago, I helped him on day one of dismantling a log house (circa 1860) in south Arkansas. He and his family also live in a 19th century log house that he moved and rebuilt.

No one truly knows what the original fort at Camp River Dubois looked like. It was built for one winter’s use and was falling apart two years later. So it was likely of crude construction and was perhaps built as much for a training exercise as for the shelter and protection it provided. The plans for the reconstructed fort came from the field notes of William Clark, in which a small, stockaded fort is drawn. Using those rough drawings and his knowledge of log construction and historical background, Lalioff set to work building an accurate representation of Lewis’ and Clark’s first of three forts (Forts Mandan and Clatsop being the other two). 

Steven discusses what the original fort might have looked like, and the film shows how he and his crew built the reconstruction and handled issues such as longevity that William Clark did not have to consider. From the choice of timber for the logs, to the hidden foundation, to the notching system used on the corners, it’s a fascinating process and one that readers of MUZZLELOADER will appreciate—and perhaps wish to emulate. What a great choice for a hunting cabin.

The historical side of the Lewis and Clark expedition is ably told by several authorities on the subject, including: Bob Moore, National Park Service; Michael Haynes, artist; Brad Winn, museum director at the Lewis & Clark Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois; and David Borlaug, president of the Lewis & Clark Ft. Mandan Foundation in Washburn, North Dakota. Michael Haynes’ paintings are also used in the film to illustrate historical scenes from the expedition.

This is a well-done, professional-quality film. Running time is about 48 minutes, and it’s available on DVD for $15.99 plus $5.00 shipping. To order, contact: Scurlock Publishing Company, 1293 Myrtle Springs Road, Texarkana TX 75503; phone 800-228-6389. Or order online at <www.muzzleloadermag.com>.