World of Fort

   Fort Bainbridge was an earthen fort built in March 1814 by the North Carolina militia under the command of General Joseph Graham. It was constructed to protect the supply route between Fort Hull and Fort Mitchell in what is today the state of Alabama, USA. The fort was named in honor of naval captain William Bainbridge. Location and Design Fort Bainbridge was situated along the Federal Road, on the county line between present-day Macon and Russell counties in Alabama. It was located approximately 25 miles west of Fort Mitchell. The fort was designed as a bastion fort, featuring eight outcroppings surrounded by a ditch filled with pickets. A drawbridge provided entry to the fort. Purpose and History The primary purpose of Fort Bainbridge was to safeguard the vital supply line connecting Fort Hull and Fort Mitchell during the Creek War. The fort allowed supply wagons to travel between the two locations in a single day. It was initially garrisoned by 100 to 300 troops, primari...

  Fort Jackson in Alabama refers to the historic site located at the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers near Wetumpka. It holds significance as the location of both a French colonial fort, Fort Toulouse, and a later American fort, also named Fort Jackson.     Fort Toulouse (1717-1763) Established by the French in 1717, Fort Toulouse served as the easternmost outpost of the Louisiana colony. Its primary purpose was to foster positive relations with the Creek Confederacy, a powerful Native American alliance, and to counter the expansion of British influence in the region. The Alibamu tribe, part of the Creek Confederacy, invited the French to build the fort.   Due to the humid climate and river erosion, the French constructed three successive forts on the same site between 1717 and 1763. The fort became a center for trade and diplomacy between the French and the Creek people. French soldiers and their families settled near the fort, establishing some of t...

  Fort Hull was an earthen fort constructed in 1814 in present-day Macon County, Alabama, during the Creek War. Following the outbreak of hostilities, the United States launched a three-pronged attack on Creek territory. The column advancing westward from Georgia erected Fort Mitchell and subsequently clashed with the Creek warriors.     After a temporary halt in operations, the Georgia column resumed its westward march and built Fort Hull. Situated near the junction of Persimmon Creek and Calebee Creek, the fort served as a crucial supply depot for the American forces. However, its use was short-lived, as it was abandoned soon after the conclusion of the Creek War.   Today, the site of Fort Hull is privately owned, and no visible remnants of the original structure remain. However, its historical significance is acknowledged, marking a chapter in the Creek War and the westward expansion of the United States. Historical maps from the period indicate its approximate ...

  Fort Harker, located near Stevenson in northeastern Alabama, holds historical significance as a military fortification built by the Union Army during the American Civil War.     Strategic Importance: Constructed in the summer of 1862 by Union soldiers and formerly enslaved people of the Army of the Cumberland, Fort Harker was strategically positioned to control vital railroad lines. Stevenson sat at the junction of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. By securing this location, the Union aimed to ensure the uninterrupted movement of their troops and supplies throughout southeastern Tennessee and northeastern Alabama. The fort's placement on a hill east of Stevenson allowed it to oversee the town, the crucial railroads, supply depots, and warehouses.   In addition to the fort, the Union Army established a hospital and a refugee camp in Stevenson, further solidifying their presence and control of the area. This Union s...

  Fort Hampton was a frontier fort established in 1809 in what is today Limestone County, Alabama. Its primary purpose was unique for its time: to protect the land of the Chickasaw Nation from encroaching American settlers. Here's a look at its history and significance: Establishment and Purpose: The fort was built on a hill near the Elk River, southeast of present-day Athens. It was named in honor of Brigadier General Wade Hampton, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. The construction was initiated by Colonel Reuben J. Meigs and later overseen by Colonel Alexander Smyth. Unlike most forts of the era that served to advance settler expansion, Fort Hampton was intended to enforce the boundary between U.S. territory and Chickasaw lands. This area became a point of contention after the Cherokee ceded their claims north of the Tennessee River in 1806, while the Chickasaw still held their rights to the land. The U.S. government aimed to prevent conflicts between settlers, known as ...

  Fort Glass was a stockade fort constructed in July 1813 in present-day Clarke County, Alabama, during the Creek War, which was part of the larger War of 1812. It was located near Suggsville.     History: The Creek War began as a civil war within the Creek Nation but escalated, drawing in American settlers and the United States military. As tensions rose and attacks by the Red Stick faction of the Creek Nation increased, settlers in the Mississippi Territory (which included present-day Alabama) built temporary stockades for protection. Fort Glass was one of these forts, built by and named for Zachariah Glass.   Constructed as a rectangular wooden stockade measuring 180 feet by 120 feet (approximately 60 yards by 40 yards), Fort Glass was made of hewn pine logs. In August 1813, Colonel Joseph Carson and his regiment of 200 mounted men were sent to reinforce the settlers in the area and garrisoned Fort Glass.

  Fort Gaines is a historic fort located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, Alabama, guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay. Construction of the fort began in 1821 and continued through the Civil War, with later additions during the Spanish-American War. It's named after Edmund Pendleton Gaines, a brigadier general in the War of 1812.     Historical Significance: Fort Gaines is best known for its crucial role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 during the American Civil War. It was here, within sight of Fort Gaines, that Union Admiral David G. Farragut famously exclaimed, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" as his fleet advanced into the bay despite Confederate defenses, including underwater mines (then called torpedoes) and fire from Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan across the channel.   The fort was garrisoned by Confederate troops who eventually surrendered to Union forces after the Union fleet successfully entered the bay and Union troops landed on Da...

  Fort Easley was a stockade fort constructed in 1813 in present-day Clarke County, Alabama, during the Creek War, which was part of the larger War of 1812. Its purpose was to provide protection for local settlers from attacks by the hostile Creek Indians, also known as the Red Sticks.     Key features and historical context: Location: The fort was situated on the east side of the Tombigbee River, on a bluff known as Woods Bluff. This bluff was named after Major Wood, a landowner in the area who had fought in the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek. The elevated position on the bluff provided a natural defensive advantage.   Description: Fort Easley was a stockade fort, meaning it was enclosed by a defensive wall made of closely set posts or timbers. It encompassed approximately three acres and included a spring, which would have been a vital water source for the occupants.   Naming: The fort was named in honor of an early settler of the region, described as ...

  Fort Decatur was an earthen fort constructed in March 1814 on the eastern bank of the Tallapoosa River in present-day Macon County, Alabama, near the modern community of Milstead. Its establishment was a direct result of the Creek War (1813-1814), which itself became intertwined with the larger War of 1812.     History and Purpose: As the Creek War escalated, the United States Army sought to establish a series of fortifications to secure supply lines and exert control over the Creek Nation. Colonel Homer Milton, commanding officer of the 3rd Regiment, ordered the creation of Fort Decatur and Fort Burrows (located across the river) after departing Fort Hull. Benjamin Hawkins, an important figure in US-Creek relations, assisted in surveying the site for Fort Decatur. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Atkinson oversaw its construction. Fort Decatur served several crucial purposes: Supply Depot: It was intended to supply General Andrew Jackson's forces as they marched from Fort...

  Fort Dale holds historical significance as a stockade fort built in present-day Butler County, Alabama, in March 1818. Its construction was a direct response by Alabama Territory settlers to the escalating Creek Indian attacks in the surrounding areas.     Following the Creek War, hostile Creeks, known as "Red Sticks," remained a threat in the region. The Ogly-Stroud Massacre on March 13, 1818, where members of the Ogly and Stroud families were killed by Red Stick warriors under Uchee Tom's command, heightened settlers' fears and underscored the urgent need for protection. In response to these dangers, Territorial Governor William Wyatt Bibb directed the establishment of a fort along the Federal Road. This new fortification was named Fort Dale in honor of Colonel Samuel Dale, who played a crucial role in its construction. The fort's defenses included a wooden stockade and two strategically placed blockhouses at diagonal angles.   Tragedy struck again just se...

  Fort Crawford holds a significant place in the history of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, evolving through two distinct locations and playing crucial roles in westward expansion, Native American relations, and even medical innovation.     First Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin - 1816-1830s) The first Fort Crawford was established in 1816 at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, shortly after the War of 1812. Its primary purposes were:   Establishing American Authority: To assert U.S. control over the strategic confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, an area with a long history of French and British influence and significant Native American presence. Protecting Fur Trade: To provide a measure of security for the American fur trade interests in the region, which were increasingly competing with British traders. Maintaining Peace with Native American Tribes: To serve as a point of contact and negotiation with the various Native American tribes...

  Fort Claiborne holds a significant place in the history of Alabama, particularly in the context of the Creek War of 1813-1814. 1 It served as a crucial military depot and a strategic base of operations for the American forces under the command of General Ferdinand L. Claiborne.     Establishment and Location Fort Claiborne was established in the fall of 1813 on a high bluff overlooking the Alabama River in present-day Monroe County, Alabama. Its strategic location was chosen for several key reasons: Riverine Access: The Alabama River provided a vital transportation route for supplying the fort with men, provisions, and military equipment. It also facilitated communication and the movement of troops. Central Location: Situated in the heart of the Creek territory, it served as a central point from which American forces could launch expeditions against the hostile Red Stick Creek warriors. Defensive Position: The high bluff offered a natural defensive advantage, ma...

  Fort Charlotte, located in Mobile, Alabama, boasts a rich and complex history, having been under the control of several European powers before finally becoming part of the United States.     A Succession of Flags French Origins (1723-1763): The fort was initially built by the French in 1723 and named Fort Condé de la Mobille , after Louis Henri de Bourbon, the Duke of Bourbon and Prince of Condé. Its purpose was to defend the strategic port of Mobile and the surrounding French Louisiana colony from potential British or Spanish attacks. The original design was a seven-pointed star with significant earthworks.   British Control (1763-1780): Following the French and Indian War, Britain gained control of the region in 1763, and the fort was renamed Fort Charlotte in honor of Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III. Spanish Rule (1780-1813): During the American Revolutionary War, Spanish forces under the command of Bernardo de Gálvez captured the fort in 1...

  Fort Carney was a stockade fort constructed in 1813 in present-day Clarke County, Alabama, during the Creek War, which was part of the larger War of 1812. It was situated approximately six miles south of Jackson, Alabama, along the road leading to Mount Vernon. The fort was located at Carney's Bluff, which was later known as Gullett's Bluff, on the Tombigbee River. Consequently, it was also referred to as Fort Hawn or Fort Gullett.     Josiah Carney, who had moved to Clarke County from North Carolina in 1809, began building the stockade in 1813. This was in response to attacks by Red Stick warriors on settlers in the area, prompting many families to band together and create protective fortifications. Historical accounts vary regarding the number of occupants at Fort Carney. Albert J. Pickett reported that around 390 individuals sought refuge there, while Timothy H. Ball suggested a smaller number. Prior to the Fort Mims massacre, it was noted that Red Stick warriors sc...

  Fort Bowyer was a short-lived but strategically important American fortification built in 1813 on Mobile Point, which is now part of Baldwin County, Alabama. At the time of its construction, this area was part of the Mississippi Territory. The fort was erected by the United States Army to guard the narrow entrance to Mobile Bay on the Gulf Coast during the War of 1812. It was named after Colonel John Bowyer, who oversaw its initial construction.     Constructed primarily of sand and logs, the fort had a semi-circular face oriented towards the ship channel, allowing its cannons to cover a wide field of fire. The landward side featured a bastion with two demi-bastions to provide defense against ground attacks. Reports vary, but the fort was likely armed with between 6 and 14 cannons transferred from Fort Charlotte.   Fort Bowyer was the site of two significant battles during the War of 1812: First Battle of Fort Bowyer (September 14-16, 1814) In September 1814, ...