 In June 1819, Snelling was promoted to Colonel of the 5th Infantry Regiment and sent to oversee the construction of Fort St. Anthony.Snelling was concerned about the unhealthy living conditions of the temporary quarters at Cantonment New Hope on the St. Peter's River.He traveled upriver from St. Louis and arrived at the cantonment on September 5, 1820, and immediately started the relocation and design of the new fort.